Amos the Prophet

Amos 3:7 NLTse Indeed, the Sovereign LORD never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.As we study each of God’s prophets in the Old Testament, we see there is one verse which may describe the role of each prophet. In this case we find 3:7. Amos is among a group of prophets sent to Israel and Judah proclaiming a warning. It shouldn’t have been a big surprise when Babylon arrived at Jerusalem. God warned them well in advance, giving them a number of chances to change their ways and return to God. Amos shows us one role of a prophet, God’s messenger.Studying the role of a prophet would not be complete without examining how God revealed the message. Because God’s Word has such an important role in our understanding and communication with God, it is important to learn as many lessons on how God communicates through His Word as we can. Amos not only delivers messages to a number of cities and kingdoms, his writing style reveals a number of valuable study methods. The first method is reviewing the introduction and summary of chapters and books. Amos 3:7 tells us the LORD reveals His plans to His prophets. How do we find out what plans were revealed to Amos? The first place to look is the introduction to the chapter.

Amos 3:1-3 NLTse Listen to this message that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel and Judah–against the entire family I rescued from Egypt: (2) “From among all the families on the earth, I have been intimate with you alone. That is why I must punish you for all your sins.” (3) Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?

The introduction to chapter 3 explains how God choose Israel and Judah and set them apart based on the intimate relationship He established with them. Notice God makes reference to both Israel and Judah. This shows God remembers dividing the kingdom after Solomon’s reign. It also shows God did not give up on the northern kingdom of Israel even though they replaced God, substituting their own forms or worship. We have to keep in mind, this is part of the message Amos received.

A prophet’s role is to lead people back to God. We see how Amos reminds both Israel and Judah of the intimate relationship God wants with them. God shows His concern when He explains how He always gives a warning. When the ram’s horn blows a warning, shouldn’t the people be alarmed? Does disaster come to a city unless the LORD has planned it? (Amos 3:6 NLTse). The introduction to chapter 3 shows God’s concern and how He used prophets to deliver a warning. The information is confirmed in the introduction to the book of Amos.

Amos 1:1-2 NLTse This message was given to Amos, a shepherd from the town of Tekoa in Judah. He received this message in visions two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam II, the son of Jehoash, was king of Israel. (2) This is what he saw and heard: “The LORD roars from his Temple on Mount Zion; his voice thunders from Jerusalem! Suddenly, the lush pastures of the shepherds dry up. All the grass on Mount Carmel withers and dies.”

The introduction to Amos provides important information. It verifies the book is a message from God. It also shows who the message was given to, Amos, who is identified as a shepherd. This shows us God chooses people from all walks of life. People He can trust with His message, Not people in important positions with large followings, the ability to gather large crowds, commanding respect, but simple people He has a relationship with.

Amos also tells us he received the message in a vision, one of the methods God uses to communicate with His prophets. During the visions Amos could see and hear God in his Temple on Mount Zion. Amos also dates the visions. Imagine having a relationship with God close enough to see and hear Him in a vision. The introduction also includes a reference to symbols of pastures and withered grass. Similar symbolism is repeated later in the book.

Amos 4:6-8 NLTse “I brought hunger to every city and famine to every town. But still you would not return to me,” says the LORD. (7) “I kept the rain from falling when your crops needed it the most. I sent rain on one town but withheld it from another. Rain fell on one field, while another field withered away. (8) People staggered from town to town looking for water, but there was never enough. But still you would not return to me,” says the LORD.

Amos 8:11-13 NLTse “The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD. (12) People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from border to border searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. (13) Beautiful girls and strong young men will grow faint in that day, thirsting for the LORD’s word.

Amos teaches us another important Bible study rule. The first place to look for an interpretation of the symbols used by the prophet is in the book written by the prophet. Remember Amos was shown visions. His book explains what he heard and saw. Amos also explains the meaning of the symbols. Amos centers around symbols involving fields. As he adds information, Amos adds related symbols while explaining their spiritual meaning. Amos teaches us how to examine texts using words that are the same, similar, and related. Symbols are first introduced. Detailed descriptions are added, followed by explanations of the deeper spiritual meaning. In other words, the Bible follows commonly used writing methods such as introductions and summaries. Themes are introduced, described and explained. God did not write a complicated book. For obvious reasons, people want you to think it Is complicated.

Now that we have looked at the introductions to both chapter 3 and the book of Amos, we can check to see if the summaries for each agree with the theme, God is delivering a message for his people through His prophet. The message consists of a warning while directing people back to a relationship with God.

Amos 3:13-15 NLTse “Now listen to this, and announce it throughout all Israel,” says the Lord, the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies. (14) “On the very day I punish Israel for its sins, I will destroy the pagan altars at Bethel. The horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground. (15) And I will destroy the beautiful homes of the wealthy– their winter mansions and their summer houses, too– all their palaces filled with ivory,” says the LORD.

The conclusion to chapter three includes Israel, but omits Judah. The message now concentrates on Israel’s sins which are identified as their worship of pagan gods, and the consequences they face if they choose to continue. An interesting reference is made to the horns of pagan alters which are not described in detail in the Bible. In the Tabernacle blood was sprinkled on the horns of the altar, a reference to Jesus’ sacrifice. A lack of horns indicates more than a lack of salvation. Verse 2 introduced a punishment of sin, verses 14 and 15 identify the punishment. Verse 1 reminds Israel about their delivery from Egypt. Verse 15 reminds them God fulfilled His promise providing them with homes they were about to loose them. When the horns fall to the ground they loose salvation along with all the promises they received from God. No more land flowing with milk and honey. Homes, vineyards, fields, crops, everything is lost.

Looking at Amos’ conclusion to his book we find a summary of the theme he writes throughout his book. Once we highlight words which are the same, similar and related the pattern becomes obvious.

Amos 9:13-15 NLTse “The time will come,” says the LORD, “when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine! (14) I will bring my exiled people of Israel back from distant lands, and they will rebuild their ruined cities and live in them again. They will plant vineyards and gardens; they will eat their crops and drink their wine. (15) I will firmly plant them there in their own land. They will never again be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the LORD your God.

We actually see a contrast between the book’s introduction, Amos 1:1-2 and summation, Amos 9:13-15. Both use symbols of fields and agriculture seen in the words, pasture and grass which are related to grain, grapes, vineyards, gardens and crops. All of these are not only related to maintaining an economy, but point to a harvest which is introduced in Amos 9:15. By the context we can see it is referring to the harvest of the world. Once again we see how a prophet turns people to God.

The summary in chapter 3 shows what Israel will loose if they do not turn to God. Amos ends his book by showing how God’s followers will be rewarded. It seems like a simple choice, but how many people know how to find these answers on their own? How many people know how to listen to God’s voice and understand His Word? Amos’ message is meant to warn us, “The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD. Not only does Amos deliver the warning, he shows us how to avoid the problem. This shows messages from God’s prophets not only deliver a message, but show us how important it is to listen to God’s Word, and also how to understand it. God’s Word is complete. This is how we can tell if the message is from God, or the world.

Amos has shown the type of prophets God chooses. Simple people who do not add to or subtract from His message. Amos also shows God uses visions to deliver His message to the prophet. The prophet can both hear the message and see the symbols. The prophet introduces the symbols and later explains their meaning, showing both consequences and rewards. The prophet provides warnings and most importantly, declares how God is calling His people back.