I. SIX KEY THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT GOD IN AMOS:
1. GOD DESCRIBES SIN AS NOTHING LESS THAN OPEN, DEFIANT REBELLION!
Characteristic term for moral evil is the Hebrew Pesha’ (1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6)
“Deliberate doing of wrong when the doing is known to be wrong”
2. GOD JUDGES NATIONS (OTHER THAN JUDAH AND ISRAEL) – 1:3-2:3
- Sins of these nations reflect man’s basic inhumanity towards his fellowman.
- God holds these nations responsible for the basic principles of morality.
- God holds nations responsible for both their national and international actions.
God warns before he judges, but he does not warn indefinitely!
3. SOCIAL RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE RESULT OF GENUINE RELIGION
Religion lacking morality in human relationships is worthless.
Essence of true religion is righteousness and justice rather than ritual.
Amos 5:21-24 (See James 1:22-27)
Amos did not substitute morality for religion; rather he made religion the basis for morality!
Elton Trueblood described America as a “cut flower” civilization: attempting to maintain an ethic without the religious root system.
4. GOD DETESTS SUPERFICIAL WORSHIP! (Insincere Worship Insults God!)
It is an insult to God (4:4-5; 5:21-23)
Acceptable worship is based on the character of God and our conformity to it.
You can’t preach the cross on Sunday and practice the double-cross on Monday!
5. GOD SENDS DISASTER AS A CALL TO REPENTANCE (4:6-FF.)
(Luke 13:1-5)
6. GOD ALWAYS HAS HIS REMNANT! (5:15; 9:8b-15)
II. SOME INTERESTING PASSAGES:
AMOS 2:7a Three Views:
- The creditors begrudged the poor even the dust which they, as mourners, cast on their heads.
- The ungodly tread the poor in the dust of the earth under their feet.
- The wicked bring the poor so low by oppression that the latter cast dust on their heads in mourning. (This is the most likely meaning.)
AMOS 3:1-8 When God roars, the preacher must preach!
The peril of privilege (3:2)
What is the main point/key verse?
AMOS 4:1 – “FAT COWS” – refers to the women!
- Oppression of the poor and needy
- Manipulation of their husbands
AMOS 5:21-24 7 Things God rejects:
- Festivals (21)
- Solemn Assemblies (21)
- Burnt offerings (22)
- Grain offerings (22)
- Peace offerings (22)
- Noise of Songs (23)
- Sound of harps (23)
AMOS 7:7-9 Measured by God’s “plumb line.”
AMOS 7:10-17 How to recognize an Amaziah in your church:
- Amaziahs work to undermine the ministries of those doing the Lord’s work.
- Amaziahs attempt to maintain the status quo no matter what.
- Amaziahs seek to enlist others to support their opposition.
- Amaziahs try to silence those with whom they disagree.
AMOS 8:11-13 Famine for the Word of God
Possible sermon title: “Can you Hear Me Now?”
III. HINTS ON PREACHING AMOS CREATIVELY.
USE YOUR IMAGINATION!
- Picture Amos taking his short-legged, ugly, sheep known for their fine wool up north to market. (Note Hebrew nōked in 1:1 for “sheepherder”) There he encounters crooked businessmen and shady business dealings.
- Amos 1:2; 3:4 (Play the sound through the sound system of a lion roaring)
USE PROPS TO ILLUSTRATE!
A cartoon of a fat cow with lipstick, etc.
Hang a plumbline from the pulpit (but be careful, since it will measure the “straightness” of your preaching as well!!)
USE HUMOR!
LOOK FOR CONTEMPORARY CONNECTIONS!
LOOK FOR CONTEMPORARY WAYS TO SAY IT!
Use Comparative Translations and Paraphrases
Eugene Petersen’s The Message (4:1; 5:7-ff.; 5:21-24)
FIND THOSE “OFF THE BEATEN PATH” BOOKS/ARTICLES, ETC., THAT GIVE YOU IDEAS ON HOW TO PREACH AMOS.
James Draper, The Conscience of a Nation. (Book of sermons)
John McFadyen, A Cry for Justice (Published in 1912. Helpful stuff.)
Elliot Corbett, The Prophets on Main Street (Published in 1965. Good preaching helps)
IV. SUGGESTED COMMENTARIES ON AMOS:[1]
Exegetical Commentaries:
Andersen, F. I. and David N. Freedman. Amos. AYBC. Yale University Press, 1989. (A must for those wanting to delve into the Hebrew text. But watch out for some higher-critical conclusions. Longman gives it 5 stars.)
Cripps, Richard. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the book of Amos. London: S.P.C.K., 1921. Revised in 1955 by S.P.C.K. Also published by Klock & Klock 1981 reprint. (Solid exegetical study with application as well from a man who taught for many years in St. John’s College, Cambridge.
Paul, Shalom. Amos. Hermeneia. Fortress/SCM, 1991. (Strong on linguistic analysis; not so much on theology. Some higher criticism at work. Otherwise, very helpful.
Stuart, Doug. Hosea-Jonah. WBC. Dallas: Word, 1987. (One of the best on the Minor Prophets. A must buy for all who preach. Amillennial.)
Expository Commentaries:
Allen, Leslie. The Books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985. (Excellent both in scholarship and homiletical value according to Doug Moo.)
Feinberg, Charles L. Amos: the Righteousness of God. New York: American Board of Missions to the Jews, 1948. (Feinberg is always worth a look!)
Hubbard, D. A. Joel and Amos. TOTC. Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP, 2007 reprint. (The Tyndale series always delivers good exposition concisely for the pastor.)
Longman, Tremper, and Thomas McComiskey. “Amos.” EBC. Vol. 8. Revised. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. (Updated version of McComiskey by Longman.)
Niehaus, Jeffery. “Amos.” The Minor Prophets, ed. T. McComiskey. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2009. (Good treatment from a solid historical background.)
Smith, Billy and Frank Page. Amos, Obadiah, Jonah. NAC. Nashville: B&H, 1995. (Solid work.)
Smith, Gary. Hosea, Amos, Micah. NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001. (As the title of the series indicates – good focus on application.)
________. Amos: A Commentary. 2nd ed. Mentor Commentaries. Christian Focus, 1998. (Almost 400 pages. Good exposition followed by theological interpretation. This volume is an update of the 1989 Zondervan edition. It includes socio-rhetorical insights.)
Thorogood, Bernard. A Guide to the Book of Amos. London: S.P.C.K., 1971. (Left-wing evangelical, strong on application…a good tool for the pastor according to Doug Moo.)
[1] For annotated bibliography on all aspects of Amos studies, consult M. Daniel Carroll R. Amos: The Prophet & His Oracles (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 2002). This volume can’t be beat for its survey treatment of Amos scholarship through the 20th century. See also Gerhard Hasel, Understanding the Book of Amos: Basic Issues in the Current Interpretations (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1991). Hasel surveys the scholarly work on Amos from 1960-1990. The work includes a bibliography of more than 800 works.