We have gathered all of our Amos blogs in one place!
AMOS: Profile of a Prophet
There are two passages in the Book of Amos that help us understand the prophet. The first is the opening passage of chapter 1, the second is in chapter 3, and the other is in chapter 7. These passages, even though small, help us understand this prophet of God.
Amos 1:1 (ESV) “The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.”
Amos 3:7-8 (ESV) “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets. The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?”
Amos 7:14-15 (ESV) “Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”
Amos (“burden bearer”) was a shepherd and farmer (arboriculturist) by trade, but called by God to be a prophet. Amos 1:1 tells us he was a shepherd [‘noqdim’] who lived in the wilderness of Judah south of Jerusalem (ten miles) but was sent to prophesy in the north to the Kingdom of Israel. He did not come from a Levitical family or a prophetic family and was not a prophet for hire that is often seen in the Scriptures. He shared the word of the Lord as it was given to him and did not tell kings and queens what they wanted to hear (this is the meaning of 7:14). He felt the need to share the Word of God.
Amos’ ministry happened during the reigns of Uzziah of Judah (783-742 BC) and Jeroboam II of Israel (786-746 BC) and the writing of the book itself is dated to two years before an earthquake rocked the region (possibly June 15, 763 BC putting the writing in 765 BC). Amos’ ministry would have overlapped Jonah and Hosea.
Amos was a man of faith with a great sense of calling. His ‘day job’ was shepherd and sycamore tree tender [‘balac’], but his passion and purpose was prophet of YHWH. We may also consider him courageous and faithful in that he gave the messages to Israel and other nations as he was directed and did not change or vary what he was told from God. He was given the Word of the Lord and he felt compelled to prophesy.
James E. Smith in his introduction of ‘Eighth Century Prophets’ in his Old Testament Survey Series notes:
#1 Amos was well acquainted with the world of his day as he mentions 38 towns
#2 Amos understood Judah/Israel history as well as other countries
#3 He was objective and stern
#4 He was forthright in his presentation of God’s messages
#5 He was a literary master and an incomparable preacher
Amos speaks to God’s character in his prophecies. God is compassionate, just, merciful, and life-giving even while He holds the nations accountable for their actions. God’s character is loud in these passages. The reasons for ‘why’ God will bring judgment speaks to His just nature. God’s actions don’t come from nowhere, but He communicates such things through Amos and at a point at which the people groups are utterly rotten below layers of sinfulness. God is fighting for their lives. He wants them to repent. Judgment is life giving (and centered on love) for He does not just leave these people to their sinful life-ending ways. God does not cut Himself off to anyone who bows down to Him, He wants to save and give life.
As we go through the Book of Amos, we want you to see God more clearly. To do this, we will focus on three basic questions in each chapter or section:
#1 What is described?
#2 What literally happened?
#3 What is revealed about God’s character?
AMOS: Chapter One
What is described?
What literally happened?
What is revealed about God’s character?
AMOS 1:1-15 (ESV)
VERSES 1-2
The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. And he said: “The Lord roars from Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.”
Amos 1 begins by identifying the prophet and placing him in history (See the first post about Amos). It also places the imagery of God laying out His judgment and words like a roaring lion. The roaring lion melts everyone who hears it. Same with those that hear about the judgment of God. Chapter 1 contains words of warning for #1 Damascus, #2 Gaza and the Philistines, #3Tyre, #4Edom, and #5the Ammonites.
It is important to note the “three transgressions… for four” statements in each of the sections. This phrase is communicating figuratively from God to us that there are a great number of sins and transgressions being considered. It means the evil of these folks is full and overflowing. This phrase speaks much about God’s patience when it comes to sin. God is patient with all people and all nations and cultures. Patience is a key characteristic of YHWH.
VERSES 3-5
3 Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron. 4 So I will send a fire upon the house of Hazael, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-Hadad. 5 I will break the gate-bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitants from the Valley of Aven, and him who holds the scepter from Beth-Eden; and the people of Syria shall go into exile to Kir,” says the Lord.
When the Promised Land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh received territory to the east of the Jordan which is Gilead (a mountainous region so ‘Ramoth Gilead’ means ‘Heights of Gilead’… all the same thing). If you sing hymns in church, Mount Pisgah’s lofty heights are in Gilead. Later, Ramoth Gilead fell to Damascus, and King Ahab attempted to retake the city for Israel, but he died (1 Kings 22:1–36) and King Jehoram later made it a possession of Israel after winning battles. Damascus mistreated the people of Israel in Gilead smashing them like an iron thresher pounds grain into dust.
Judgment of God comes upon them for these sins. 2 Kings 16:9 is the fulfillment of this doom: “And the king of Assyria listened to him. The king of Assyria marched up against Damascus and took it, carrying its people captive to Kir, and he killed Rezin” (ESV).
VERSES 6-8
6 Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they carried into exile a whole people to deliver them up to Edom. 7 So I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, and it shall devour her strongholds. 8 I will cut off the inhabitants from Ashdod, and him who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; I will turn my hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish,” says the Lord God.
Gaza was the principal city of the Philistines (5 cities total) and a representative of their sins. The event referred to may be the invasion of Judah by Philistines and others in the time of Joram, mentioned in 2 Chronicles 21 when perhaps captive Judaeans were delivered to the Edomites. Gaza was conquered by Sennacherib of Assyria when he invaded Judea in the time of Hezekiah and then also by Pharaoh Neco (Jeremiah 47:1). Outside the Biblical text also historically by Alexander the Great (the remnant mentioned in verse 8), who spent more than two months in the siege.
Zephaniah 2:4 agrees with Amos: “For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted” (ESV).
VERSES 9-10
“9 Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they delivered up a whole people to Edom, and did not remember the covenant of brotherhood. 10 So I will send a fire upon the wall of Tyre, and it shall devour her strongholds.”
There was good relations between King David and King Solomon and the rulers of Tyre. This good relationship seems to have been forgotten by Tyre with slaves traded to Edom. Isaiah 23 says the same as Amos about Tyre. Psalm 83:5-8 records that Tyre ended up in an alliance against the People of Israel and they followed through with evil deeds. Ezekiel 26 also has words against Tyre.
There is a general morality (described in Genesis, days of Noah) that was being ignored by these nations. Murder was happening. A slave trade was happening. The treaties between nations were being broken and ignored. Long-standing relationships were set aside sinfully. They revoked morality and transgressed by not treating people as the image of God. God would not revoke His judgment against them… either.
What happened to Tyre? They historically gave tribute to Assyria, but rebelled and King Sargon and King Nebuchadnezzar attacked them. Jeremiah 47:4 recounts they were in dire straits. Zechariah 9 also predicts they will come to dust and fire and ruin and did so under Alexander the Great.
VERSES 11-12
11 Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity, and his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever. 12 So I will send a fire upon Teman, and it shall devour the strongholds of Bozrah.”
The nation(s) of Edom were never friendly to Israel and always sided against them in conflicts. In Psalm 83, Edom heads the list of Israel’s enemies. The beginnings of this can be seen in the rift between Jacob (Israel) and Esau (Edom) in Genesis. The entire Book of Obadiah is dedicated to prophecy against this nation.
Specifically in these verses, we see a great evil of broken extrended family ties (example: 1 Kings 9:13) and a huge issue of slavery (2 Chronicles 28:17). Again, notice that God took down the defenses of Edom and would make them vulnerable. An example of this might be 1 Kings 22:47 which recounts there was no king in Edom and they were vulnerable in that way.
King Nebuchadnezzar was the instrument of Edom’s destruction and Jeremiah 49:17 is clear that this people group would be utterly destroyed.
VERSES 13-15
“Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of the Ammonites, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have ripped open pregnant women in Gilead, that they might enlarge their border. 14 So I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour her strongholds, with shouting on the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind; 15 and their king shall go into exile, he and his princes together,” says the Lord.”
Ammonites were related to the Israelites in that their beginning came from the incestual birth of Ammon from Lot and one of his daughters (Genesis 19). They were often enemies of Israel in Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 2 Kings, Hosea, and Jeremiah. Jeremiah 49:1-3 is a specific prophecy, like Amos, against Ammon. As in some other situations, King Nebuchadnezzar was the instrument of their destruction (Jeremiah 27, 49) who fell before his invading armies.
SUMMARY & APPLICATION: What is revealed about God’s character?
Sinfulness is tolerated by the holy God Almighty, until He doesn’t tolerate it. Where is that line? We don’t know. We sometimes say, ‘God’s patience’ is eternal,’ but that is not necessarily true. These nations had sins piled upon each other and it was not for one thing, but for countless ways they turned their backs on YHWH.
When God says He will send fire, it means God will take out your defenses (excuses, bad attitudes, false beliefs about grace, self-centeredness, comparisons, moral justifications) and allow His judgment to come. You will be transparent before Him and you will be laid bare before Him. God will burn it all down. Repent, and take advantage of the opportunity given. Take it serious. As we read Amos, we will see all the prophets agreeing with one another about the results of the sinfulness of the nations.
If you get nothing else from this passage, notice the repeated phrase that God is patient with all people and all nations and cultures. Patience is a key characteristic of YHWH. Yet, it is not limitless (as we some times think). See God clearly and how He deals with people. Respond relationally to God in how He loves you… these are examples of people who did not respond. This is the same character of Jesus Christ (see Luke 13:3-5). Thankfully, in Christ the permanent payment for sin has been made and a person can abide in Christ and so abide in His patience and mercy.
How then shall we live?
AMOS: Chapter Two
What is described?
What literally happened?
What is revealed about God’s character?
Amos 2 first continues the prophecies against the nations around God’s People, but God quickly turns His attention towards His own people who will not escape His wrath for their sins. Notice that the language from Amos 1 continues… the metaphor about “three transgressions… for four” and the use of “fire” when speaking about God’s judgement. That language is applied to nations not aligned with God and with those who should have known better.
VERSES 1-3
Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he burned to lime the bones of the king of Edom. 2 So I will send a fire upon Moab, and it shall devour the strongholds of Kerioth, and Moab shall die amid uproar, amid shouting and the sound of the trumpet; 3 I will cut off the ruler from its midst, and will kill all its princes with him,” says the Lord.
The prophet Amos speaks to the other nation connected to Israel through Lot (Ammon being the other). Moab was not a friend to Israel even though Ruth was a woman of character from among their ranks. Moab hired Balaam to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22), oppressed in the time of the judges, fought against King David (2 Samuel 8) and fought against King Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20) and King Jehoiakim (2 Kings 24).
In context, apparently the Moabites did not mind desecrating the dead which is a ‘no no’ in most cultures, even today. Whatever their motivation (revenge, war, etc), God would not overlook this combined with all their other sin.
What happened to Moab? Simply, as with the others, the Moabites will die. Their cities will be leveled, and their people brought low because of sin. It was the Babylonians that finally swept over the land and did what Jeremiah 48 and Ezekiel 25 agreed would happen.
NOTE: The Word of the Lord shifts to those who have the Law written in their hearts. God’s People have consciences, but their hearts are augmented by the gift of the Law written on their hearts. For the People of God (Israel and Judah), they have been called to a different way of living and so their sin is more significant in some ways. Morality and right and wrong have a standard in their hearts given by God (YHWH).
VERSES 4-5
“Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have rejected the law of the Lord, and have not kept His statutes, but their lies have led them astray, those after which their fathers walked. 5 So I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the strongholds of Jerusalem.”
Judah has rejected the Truth of God and went away (astray) from God. Idols are also at play in verse 4. The verses are short as with some of the other nations. We see, based on the following verses, that Amos was sent more to Israel in the north than to Judah in the south. Not because the south was better, but that was simply his prophetic assignment.
We should notice that God will “send fire” against their defenses because they were not loyal to Him and did not trust Him. For many generations… He was their defense! He was their Shield and Strong Tower! “Consume” / “Devour” (Hebrew: ‘akal) is a word that means “to totally burn up” and “complete destruction.“ Now, they rely on walls and armies and treaties and God will remove those things in which they trust. Then what would they do?
What happened to Judah? The words and judgment of God would literally and figuratively be fulfilled in 586 BC when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem and utterly destroyed it.
VERSES 6-16
“Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals— 7 those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the afflicted; a man and his father go in to the same girl, so that My Holy Name is profaned; 8 they lay themselves down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge, and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined. 9“Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars and who was as strong as the oaks; I destroyed his fruit above and his roots beneath. 10 Also it was I who brought you up out of the land of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. 11 And I raised up some of your sons for prophets, and some of your young men for Nazirites. Is it not indeed so, O people of Israel?” declares the Lord. 12“But you made the Nazirites drink wine, and commanded the prophets, saying, ‘You shall not prophesy.’ 13“Behold, I will press you down in your place, as a cart full of sheaves presses down. 14 Flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not retain his strength, nor shall the mighty save his life; 15 he who handles the bow shall not stand, and he who is swift of foot shall not save himself, nor shall he who rides the horse save his life; 16 and he who is stout of heart among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day,” declares the Lord.”
Amos points out #1 covetousness and greed (verses 6-7), #2 sexual immorality (verse 7), and #3 hypocrisy (verse 8) happening in Israel. Not only were the Israelites doing these things, but they were ignoring all that God had done for them in the past. There was much God did for them (verses 9-11) that they willfully ignored. They even mistreated those who tried to be faithful to YHWH (verses 12-13).
What happened to Israel? 722 BC (approximately 40 years after this was proclaimed) would see the destruction of Samaria and the enslavement of Israel and the northern kingdom destroyed. No one escaped this judgement, and no one could defend against it.
SUMMARY & APPLICATION: What is revealed about God’s character?
We should take note of the character of God we discovered in the last chapter. He is the God of all the nations and gives chance and grace and mercy and yet the people do not always respond. God is grace. He offers chances for repentance for nations of the world and even to His own people (who should know better). God does not strike sinners down at the moment of sin, but gives many chances to turn away from sin and come to Him.
God cares how we respond to Him.
God focuses on our deeds, especially as a community, not just as individuals.
God will judge all.
AMOS: Chapter Three
What is described?
What literally happened?
What is revealed about God’s character?
Chapters 3-5 of Amos are interrelated. Amos 3:1-5:17 is a section of Amos’ prophecies and words with a chapter that each begin with “Hear this word” (3:1, 4:1, 5:1) and is followed by two “Woe to you” sections (5:18, 6:1). All of these are directed at the Northern Kingdom of Israel which is termed “Samaria,” “fat cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria,” “House of Israel,” and “House of Jacob” among other descriptions.
CHAPTER 3
“Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt: 2 “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. 3 “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet? 4 Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing? 5 Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing? 6 Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it? 7 “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. 8 The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?” 9 Proclaim to the strongholds in Ashdod and to the strongholds in the land of Egypt, and say, “Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria, and see the great tumults within her, and the oppressed in her midst.” 10 “They do not know how to do right,” declares the Lord, “those who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds.” 11 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “An adversary shall surround the land and bring down your defenses from you, and your strongholds shall be plundered.” 12 Thus says the Lord: “As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel who dwell in Samaria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part of a bed. 13 “Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob,” declares the Lord God, the God of hosts, 14 “that on the day I punish Israel for his transgressions, I will punish the altars of Bethel, and the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground. 15 I will strike the winter house along with the summer house, and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall come to an end,” declares the Lord.”
God directs His full attention on Israel who are His elect people whom He favored for a higher standard (verses 1-2). God (YHWH) lays out in a ‘cause and effect’ manner (verses 3-6) that the People of Israel had turned their collective backs on Him and as a result judgment will come. The sins of Israel are pointed out as #1 unrest within #2 oppression of the people #3 not knowing what is right and #4 hoards and covets material wealth. The “therefore” in verse 11 is because of the conduct of the People of Israel.
A key verse to note in this chapter is verse 7 which states that the People of Israel have been warned and told about sin before. As Amos is doing now, so others have done in the past. God sends prophets to preach and correct and teach before leveling out fire. It is the job of the prophets to go where sent and to say what is directed whether encouraging (not usually) or disciplinary (most of the time). This is a huge character point for God… just as the lion roars so does God telegraph what He is doing. The roar should scare us. The sent prophecies should scare us.
God will allow enemies to overrun Israel. This historically happens under Tiglath-Pileser in 734 BC and again fully in 722 BC as the lion (Assyria) fully destroyed them. The People of God distanced themselves from God and He allowed the fire of judgment to consume them. The summary thought that will happen to Israel is that God will tear down everything they have built because of their unrepented sin.
SUMMARY & APPLICATION: What is revealed about God’s character?
God is not sadistic or overbearing in judgment. Judgment comes with cause. Much cause. In retrospect, they could see that God sent prophets (including Amos) to warn them. We should also note that even though complete destruction is warranted, God promises a remnant in verse 12. He always promises a remnant and to protect those who are actually faithful.
We should always note that judgment does not ‘come out of the blue.’ God’s longsuffering comes first before a fire of judgment comes. God is slow to anger and slow to ‘send lightning bolts’ down on those who are sin and choose to reject Him. God does not just ‘take people out’ because they sin, but sends prophets to warn and to offer repentance.
AMOS: Chapter Four
What is described?
What literally happened?
What is revealed about God’s character?
Chapters 3-5 of Amos are interrelated. Amos 3:1-5:17 is a section of Amos’ prophecies and words with a chapter that each begin with “Hear this word” (3:1, 4:1, 5:1) and is followed by two “Woe to you” sections (5:18, 6:1). All of these are directed at the Northern Kingdom of Israel which is termed “Samaria,” “fat cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria,” “House of Israel,” and “House of Jacob” among other descriptions. God continues to address Israel, whom He will utterly tear down, and further explains that they have not returned to Him which is why the fire will be laid out against them.
CHAPTER 4
“Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink!’ 2 The Lord God has sworn by his holiness that, behold, the days are coming upon you, when they shall take you away with hooks, even the last of you with fishhooks. 3 And you shall go out through the breaches, each one straight ahead; and you shall be cast out into Harmon,” declares the Lord. 4 “Come to Bethel, and transgress; to Gilgal, and multiply transgression; bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days; 5 offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened, and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them; for so you love to do, O people of Israel!” declares the Lord God. 6 “I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and lack of bread in all your places, yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord. 7 “I also withheld the rain from you when there were yet three months to the harvest; I would send rain on one city, and send no rain on another city; one field would have rain, and the field on which it did not rain would wither; 8 so two or three cities would wander to another city to drink water, and would not be satisfied; yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord. 9 “I struck you with blight and mildew; your many gardens and your vineyards, your fig trees and your olive trees the locust devoured; yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord. 10 “I sent among you a pestilence after the manner of Egypt; I killed your young men with the sword, and carried away your horses, and I made the stench of your camp go up into your nostrils; yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord. 11 “I overthrew some of you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were as a brand plucked out of the burning; yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord. 12 “Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” 13 For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth— the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name!”
The Hebrew in verse 1 for “cows” has the unwritten “fat” with it. Ironically humorous in some ways. What is not humorous is that these fat cows (honestly, yes, He is speaking to women) #1 oppress others #2 crush the needy and #3 are lazy for drinks. This is deep and derogatory language about the women in Israel shows that the people of Israel are ready for slaughter. The verse is not anti-female, don’t fall into that trap (it is not a put down, but judgment language), but rather it is a metaphor for the attitudes of the people and why these self-satisfied oppressive people are ready for God’s action.
We should also take note that the Hebrew words in these verses are problematic for scholars, but what is not problematic is the end result that the people of Israel would be helpless. No matter the specific words, the imagery means ‘capture,’ ‘led away,’ ‘helpless as you are prisoners’ like fish caught on a hook.
This chapter has 5x “you have not returned to me” which underscores the absolute waywardness of the People of God. The warnings come over and over and calls His people to faithfulness. God (YHWH) is creative and discerning and transforming and triumphant and redeeming even in the midst of personal and societal sin.
God says in summary: ‘I’ve got to judge, but don’t think I am not longsuffering.’
God will allow enemies to overrun Israel. This historically happens under Tiglath-Pileser in 734 BC and again fully in 722 BC as the lion (Assyria) fully destroyed them. The People of God distanced themselves from God and He allowed the fire of judgment to consume them. The summary thought that will happen to Israel is that God will tear down everything they have built because of their unrepented sin.
SUMMARY & APPLICATION: What is revealed about God’s character?
God is seen as fed up with the rebellion in that their sacrifices mean nothing to Him. God speaks and yet people do not often listen. There comes a point at which His warnings come true and people who reject him pay the price for their sin.
Take note as well… God highlights so much sin… the height and breadth and width of His patience. His patience (longsuffering is a great word to meditate upon) endures much rejection and sin and on-purpose idolatry. We should be thankful for the longsuffering of God Almighty the Lord of Angel Armies and that He offers grace and opportunities for repentance before finalizing accounts of souls.
AMOS: Chapter Five (part 1)
What is described?
What literally happened?
What is revealed about God’s character?
Chapters 3-5 of Amos are interrelated. Amos 3:1-5:17 is a section of Amos’ prophecies and words with a chapter that each begin with “Hear this word” (3:1, 4:1, 5:1) and is followed by two “Woe to you” sections (5:18, 6:1). All of these are directed at the Northern Kingdom of Israel which is termed “Samaria,” “fat cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria,” “House of Israel,” and “House of Jacob” among other descriptions.
CHAPTER 5:1-17
Hear this word that I take up over you in lamentation, O house of Israel: 2 “Fallen, no more to rise, is the virgin Israel; forsaken on her land, with none to raise her up.” 3 For thus says the Lord God: “The city that went out a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which went out a hundred shall have ten left to the house of Israel.” 4 For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: “Seek me and live; 5 but do not seek Bethel, and do not enter into Gilgal or cross over to Beersheba; for Gilgal shall surely go into exile, and Bethel shall come to nothing.” 6 Seek the Lord and live, lest He break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it devour, with none to quench it for Bethel, 7 O you who turn justice to wormwood and cast down righteousness to the earth! 8 He who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning and darkens the day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the surface of the earth, the Lord is his name; 9 who makes destruction flash forth against the strong, so that destruction comes upon the fortress. 10 They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth. 11 Therefore because you trample on the poor and you exact taxes of grain from him, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine. 12 For I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins— you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate. 13 Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time. 14 Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. 15 Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. 16 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord: “In all the squares there shall be wailing, and in all the streets they shall say, ‘Alas! Alas!’ They shall call the farmers to mourning and to wailing those who are skilled in lamentation, 17 and in all vineyards there shall be wailing, for I will pass through your midst,” says the Lord.
We see in the opening lament of chapter 5 that Israel had not yet been conquered by another nation which is why Amos calls them ‘virgin’ Israel. These people have turned their backs on God, but He commands obedience and calls them to repent.
The call to repentance is the center key for this passage. A parallel phrase is states in verses 4-6: “Seek Me and live” and “Seek the Lord and live.” The only path to life is through God (YHWH). That is it. No path in any of the other places of worship set up (Gilgal, Bethel, Beersheba) will bring salvation to the people. Only God. Relief is only found in God. Safety is only found in God.
The consequence for not repenting is the fire of judgment already mentioned in chapters 1-4. This same fire will sweep up Israel. Israel has several sins explained for the purpose of demonstrating the need for repentance. They #1 despise truth even in court (verse 10), #2 trample the poor (verse 11), #3 oppress the righteous and take bribes (verse 12), and #4 mouth off about evil (verse 13). We then have a third “seek” phrase which calls back to verses 4-6 in “Seek good, not evil” (verse 14).
Historically it would seem that the rich were full of pride and trod upon the poor and those not in their circles. Not only did they do this in their homes, but the courts of the land were corrupt. Not only did they commit evil, but they spoke openly about it and did not care. God speaks to Israel as a whole, but also to individuals who needed to change their ways.
God will allow enemies to overrun Israel. This historically happens under Tiglath-Pileser in 734 BC and again fully in 722 BC as the lion (Assyria) fully destroyed them. The People of God distanced themselves from God and He allowed the fire of judgment to consume them. The summary thought that will happen to Israel is that God will tear down everything they have built because of their unrepented sin.
SUMMARY & APPLICATION: What is revealed about God’s character?
The Lord God Almighty / the Lord the God of Hosts / YHWH Adonai calls the people to repent to avoid the great times of calamity and wailing. God clearly does not want His judgment to fall on Israel, but is true to His nature and what was promised. Notice that God’s heart stayed soft and full of compassion even though He is leveling out judgment.
AMOS: Chapter Five (part 2)
What is described?
What literally happened?
What is revealed about God’s character?
Chapters 3-5 of Amos are interrelated, but starting in verse 18 of chapter 5 we see two “Woe to you” statements which connect chapter 5 to chapter 6. Again, this section of Amos is mostly directed at the Northern Kingdom of Israel which is termed “Samaria” and “bride of Jacob.”
CHAPTER 5:18-27
Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light,19 as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him, or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall, and a serpent bit him. 20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it? 21 “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. 22 Even though you offer Me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. 23 Take away from Me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. 24 But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. 25 “Did you bring to Me sacrifices and offerings during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 26 You shall take up Sikkuth your king, and Kiyyun your star-god—your images that you made for yourselves, 27 and I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the Lord, whose Name is the God of hosts.
The second of two “woe” statement in this portion of chapter 5 focuses less on Israel, and more on the impact of Israel’s sin upon God. There is strong language in this passage about “hate” and “despise” that comes from God. These are not words we normally associate with the Lord God Almighty.
The events and judgment that will come is absolutely inevitable. The word picture of verse 19 is a man running from a lion only to meet a bear only to be bit by a snake in the end. This sweeping action of God will encompass the whole land, and no one will escape. God calls people to repent individually with the hope they will find salvation as the judgment washes over the whole land. It is hopeless. Only God brings hope.
As a result of their sin, God despises their gatherings (verse 21), their offerings (verse 22), and their music (verse 23). God then states (quoted often by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) that justice will come externally to these people to produce righteousness inside of them. God promises exile for the people.
God will allow enemies to overrun Israel and take them away. This historically happens under Tiglath-Pileser in 734 BC and again fully in 722 BC. The People of God distanced themselves from God and He allowed the fire of judgment to consume them. The summary thought that will happen to Israel is that God will tear down everything they have built because of their unrepented sin.
SUMMARY & APPLICATION: What is revealed about God’s character?
Even though when judgment is coming for sure (no getting away from it), those who are subject to it will survive if they turn to God. There is hope in repentance in order to survive. Repentance leads to hope in God to survive the consequences of sin. Even those that are destroyed by judgment can participate in a small way in what God does. This kind of blessing (surviving) is pure mercy. Turn to Him and God will show mercy even when He is sick of all we do. God always has mercy and grace and compassion. God’s heart never hardens even though He must bring judgement because of sin. God has to be just and fair and faithful to Who He is, but He is also always full of grace.
AMOS: Chapter Six
What is described?
What literally happened?
What is revealed about God’s character?
Chapters 3-5 of Amos are interrelated, but starting in verse 18 of chapter 5 we see two “Woe to you” statements which connect chapter 5 to chapter 6. Again, this section of Amos is mostly directed at the Northern Kingdom of Israel which is termed “Samaria” and “Joseph” and “bride of Jacob.”
CHAPTER 6:1-14
Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes! 2 Pass over to Calneh, and see, and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory greater than your territory, 3 O you who put far away the day of disaster and bring near the seat of violence? 4 “Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, 5 who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, 6 who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! 7 Therefore they shall now be the first of those who go into exile, and the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away.” 8 The Lord God has sworn by Himself, declares the Lord, the God of hosts: “I abhor the pride of Jacob and hate his strongholds, and I will deliver up the city and all that is in it.” 9 And if ten men remain in one house, they shall die. 10 And when one’s relative, the one who anoints him for burial, shall take him up to bring the bones out of the house, and shall say to him who is in the innermost parts of the house, “Is there still anyone with you?” he shall say, “No”; and he shall say, “Silence! We must not mention the name of the Lord.” 11 For behold, the Lord commands, and the great house shall be struck down into fragments, and the little house into bits. 12 Do horses run on rocks? Does one plow there with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood— 13 you who rejoice in Lo-debar, who say, “Have we not by our own strength captured Karnaim for ourselves?” 14 “For behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel,” declares the Lord, the God of hosts; “and they shall oppress you from Lebo-Hamath to the Brook of the Arabah.
The “woes” continue for the People of Israel.
The Lord speaks about an attitude of indifference and comfort that seemed to infest all of the leadership of Israel and was leaking out into the people:
#1 unbelief
#2 oppression of others
#3 self-centeredness
#4 idleness and partying
#5 much wine
#6 unconcern
Therefore, because of these sins and the indifference with which they hold the statues of the Lord, He says they will go into captivity and punishment first (verse 7). Amos continues in chapter 6 all about the judgment that would come because of the actions of Israel. The worldly pride and indulgence in flesh is a primary cause and root of God’s anger against His people. God even asks ridiculous rhetorical questions (verse 12) to show that the people are acting stupidly and dangerously. They know better but are choosing to take in the world and act like the nations around them.
Amos tries to shake them into reality (Behold! In verse 11)
God is ignored.
The Bible speaks of the consequences of ignoring God and that it is possible for human beings who have freewill from their Creator:
Psalm 53:1-6
Proverbs 1:24-33
Hosea 4:6
Matthew 10:33
Luke 10:16
Luke 12:19-21
John 12:48
Romans 1:18-32
Hebrews 10:26-27
James 4:4
1 John 2:22
The big picture is that God is speaking to His people (who should be with Him) who do wrong. They sin yes, but they are His people, and they are dedicated to sin. They are “lukewarm” to use a NT phrase. God is disappointed.
To put a human attitude on it: He expects sin from the Philistines, but not from His people. This is worse than being an “ignorant dirty sinner.” They are blessed and know Him and yet they have decided to ignore Him and go after other gods/idols.
The truth about being under the Lordship of God means one follows Him. Following and obeying is part of being in the Kingdom. God has patience and enduring love as people fail/sin and trip towards Him. No one is perfect. God provides for us because we aren’t perfect.
Woe to them.
SUMMARY & APPLICATION: What is revealed about God’s character?
God will not be ignored without consequences. This is a truth that is evident all throughout the Book of Amos. God can be ignored by people, but there are consequences in this life and in the next. God is patient (true), but He also levies out judgment for those who ignore Him (true).
John 4:23 says: “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him” (ESV). God desires people to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Israel was not. They were bearing the Lord’s Name in vain. They were worshipping the Lord, if at all, in laziness and lies. They were not representing God’s character in any way. As a nation, they turned away.
God provided salvation through Jesus… so let’s hold onto Him.
God provided salvation through Jesus… so worship in spirit and truth.
God provided salvation through Jesus… so don’t sin in ignorance.
God provided salvation through Jesus… so make your decisions for the Kingdom.
AMOS: Chapter Seven
What is described?
What literally happened?
What is revealed about God’s character?
Amos the Prophet not only had the Word of the Lord as prophecies, but also received visions which he relayed to the people of Israel. Chapter 7 has a few of these visions as well as the reaction of the priest and king in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Amos is asked to leave and never return.
Amos 7:1-17 (ESV)
This is what the Lord God showed me: behold, he was forming locusts when the latter growth was just beginning to sprout, and behold, it was the latter growth after the king’s mowings. 2 When they had finished eating the grass of the land, I said, “O Lord God, please forgive! How can Jacob stand? He is so small!” 3 The Lord relented concerning this: “It shall not be,” said the Lord. 4 This is what the Lord God showed me: behold, the Lord God was calling for a judgment by fire, and it devoured the great deep and was eating up the land. 5 Then I said, “O Lord God, please cease! How can Jacob stand? He is so small!” 6 The Lord relented concerning this: “This also shall not be,” said the Lord God. 7 This is what he showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. 8 And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass by them; 9 the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.” 10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. 11 For thus Amos has said, “‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his land.’” 12 And Amaziah said to Amos, “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there, 13 but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.” 14 Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. 15 But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ 16 Now therefore hear the word of the Lord. “You say, ‘Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not preach against the house of Isaac.’ 17 Therefore thus says the Lord: “‘Your wife shall be a prostitute in the city, and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land shall be divided up with a measuring line; you yourself shall die in an
unclean land, and Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land.’”
There are two important truths presented in Amos 7:
#1 God often relents
#2 Pray for your people
GOD OFTEN RELENTS
Amos shows very clearly in this chapter that God (YHWH) often defers judgment and prefers grace and yet there comes a point at which the measuring line will come and so will judgment. God does suspend His judgments, but the perversion of human beings will bring consequences. In a broad sense, we get a sense of Abraham’s bold interaction with God for Sodom and Gomorrah in that God relented at the numbers needed for judgment. Here, God relents because the judgment would be harsh on the people. Amos prays and God relents… for a time.
God is all about life. God relents and forgives because He gives life. This is God’s core desire! Yes, God gives people over to death, but He tries over and over to offer repentance and blessing.
PRAY FOR YOUR PEOPLE
Amos sees in his visions the calamities that would befall Israel because of their sin and the prophet rightly sees that the only way out or through or around the judgment of God is God Himself. Amos asks God to “forgive” (verse 2) and to “cease” (verse 5) for the sake of the people who are so “small” (verses 2, 5). Amos prays on behalf of the people for grace and mercy. He gets it 2 of 3 times, but also is shown that judgment for sin must come.
NOTE: Amos is an intercessor in the same way Moses interceded for Israel (Exodus) and in the same way Jesus intercedes for us (Hebrews). We need a mediator at times because of our sin. Amos fulfills his role to which he is called. He prays. He asks for God to relent and give life. The mediator side of Amos’ ministry is highlighted in this chapter, and it also sheds light on God’s character.
The priest Amaziah says something interesting to the king. He says, “the land is not able to bear all his words” (verse 10). This can be taken in two ways and may not be exclusive to one another. First, the people were angry at what Amos was sharing and preaching and they did not want to bear his words. The people considered Amos a troublemaker because of his words and wanted him gone and didn’t want to listen anymore. Secondly, the constant warnings of Amos were troubling the people, and some were perhaps questioning their leaders and way of life and they couldn’t bear to listen about the ruin and judgment and fire and exile that would come. They wanted no more bad news.
We know from history that eventually the judgment indicated from a built wall with a plumb line (an expertly built wall) would come to pass in 722 BC. The places that the Northern Kingdom held dear would become desolate. The sword came to the people of God in the north, and they disappeared into the sands of time and exile.
SUMMARY & APPLICATION: What is revealed about God’s character?
God is not an ‘old angry man in Heaven looking down to throw lightning bolts.’ God’s default is not anger. God’s core being is not sadistic or death-motivated or judgment. His default is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, gentleness, grace, mercy, unity, holiness, and those aspects and not the ‘hell fire and brimstone stuff.’
In this passage, we clearly see that God’s desire is to bring forth life. The core of His being comes through as God relents so He can maintain life. Even the judgment will shock some and bring them back to the path of life. He maintains life. This is hard to swallow, but sometimes life does not mean happiness and wholeness, but grace… grace amid destruction.
AMOS: Chapter Eight
What is described?
What literally happened?
What is revealed about God’s character?
This chapter of Amos begins with a vivid word picture. Amos sees a basket of ripe fruit which is a symbol of the people of Israel. God states in verse 2 that the time for the judgment has come. The picture of the ripe fruit is instructive and helpful because:
#1 A fruit becoming ripe is a gradual process… as has been the judgment of God
#2 A fruit becoming ripe is swift at the end… as it will be for the judgment of God
#3 A fruit becoming ripe is terrible at the end… as it will be for the judgment of God
#4 A fruit becoming ripe is irreversible… as it is with the judgment of God
A powerful statement occurs at the beginning of chapter 8: God will no longer overlook their sin. There is a line. There is an end to what He will tolerate. This is a paradoxical thought because God’s grace is boundless, but only under the Lordship of Christ. The People of Israel were ignoring the Spirit and His commands and there is a limit (without Christ) as to what God will tolerate. There is a line.
The rest of the chapter fleshes out and expands on the judgement of God that has been gradually building and will now come to a ruinous conclusion. Verse 4 again calls out to those who trample those who are physically and spiritually needy.
The descriptions are terrible:
Wailing (verse 3) [Hebrew: yalal = ‘howling’]
Dead bodies all over the place (verse 3)
Destruction of the land (verse 8)
Signs in the sky (verse 9)
Much mourning (verse 10) [Hebrew: ‘ebel = ‘mourning for the dead’]
Famine (verses 11, 13-14) [from the Hebrew: ra’eb = ‘voraciously hungry’]
The Word of the Lord will be gone (verse 12)
The swift judgment of God will come for Israel. Historically, keeping verse 9 in view about “sun will go down at noon” and “darken the earth in broad daylight,” there was an eclipse on June 15, 763 BC which was a sign that such things would come to pass. God uses both natural and supernatural means to get the attention of sinners and to attempt to turn them back to Him.
The character quality… of His people… is quite abysmal. Unfair scales. Downtrodding the poor. Carelessness with the needy. The Law provides for the needy and to help the poor to help themselves… but even this was ignored. There is a big price to pay for belonging to God and ignoring His commands and His way of life.
Perhaps it is verse 12 which is the most tragic of all. The People of God have turned their backs on God and pursued other gods, idols, ill-gotten gains, and ways to cheat each other… and in the end He will turn away from them and they will not find Him. They may speak, but they will not find the Lord. Perhaps this is the prediction of God’s silence for 400 years between the Prophet Malachi and the coming of John the Baptist.
We forget that it is the way we live and the way we forget Him that bring the wrath of God.
We forget that our sin infects the land and damages souls and this brings the wrath of God.
We forget that God’s People are called away from sin and this brings the wrath of God.
We forget that sin is serious business and sin must be hated and this brings the wrath of God.
We forget to hate that which pollutes our relationship with God and this brings judgment.
SUMMARY & APPLICATION: What is revealed about God’s character?
This passage teaches us that God guards His heart. God does not sin, but He bears up under our sin. Our sin creates death. Our sin creates chaos that God fixes. God is merciful and gracious, but He is not an enabler. God deals with sin and people who sin at the point when it is needed. Judgment happens. This judgment of sin opens up the opportunity for life again. On the other side of judgment, God will still be Himself, and He will again offer life for those who survive and thrive. There is a balance of love and wrath and justice and mercy in the heart of God.
God is longsuffering and there is a promise that will come (chapter 9). God will eventually provide the victory and a restoration of Israel. If we look forward properly, the life and the permanent rooting takes place in Christ (booth of David, 9:11) by His blood and His death and His resurrection.
AMOS: Chapter Nine (Part 1)
What is described?
What literally happened?
What is revealed about God’s character?
Amos 9 is found to have 2 parts. The first part (verses 1-10) shares a vivid depiction of the judgment that will come upon Israel. The second part (verses 11-15) give hope for restoration.
In verses 1-10, we see that God is done with sinful Israel and done with the sinful nations. God is not only dealing with Israel (the north), but Judah (the south) is not far behind. There is a mention of Edom again which is a nation that was utterly destroyed… showing that God’s eyes also see the sinfulness of all people. Keep in mind the whole book of Obadiah is dedicated to communicating about the destruction of Edom. Edom’s destruction is a symbol that God will destroy sinful humanity (Edom = nations).
However, God will save the nations ultimately. We know this is the point of the passage because James stands in Acts 15 and quotes Amos and connects the dots between judgment and restoration and the Messiah: “After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’ Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
God conquers nations/peoples in two ways. He utterly destroys them in not forcing himself on them giving them over to their own ways. That he does judge after His love is rejected or they bend the knee to God in repentance. Namely, to Jesus, we can know this because of the proclamation in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the conqueror of nations as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Those outside His rule perish because they have no life in Him.
SUMMARY & APPLICATION: What is revealed about God’s character?
Yes, God judges, but He also has a long view of the destiny of nations which ultimately rests in the hand of Jesus. In God’s boundless grace, He has restored the House of David and brought forth a Savior. That Savior, Jesus of Nazareth the Christ, now sits at the right hand of God the Father forever. Jesus is not just for the Jews (He is for them), but He also calls all nations to Him who will place faith in Him. This grace comes after the judgment.
Mercy (hope they don’t deserve) is proclaimed.
AMOS: Chapter Nine (Part 2)
What is described?
What literally happened?
What is revealed about God’s character?
Amos 9 is found to have 2 parts. The first part (verses 1-10) shares a vivid depiction of the judgment that will come upon Israel. The second part (verses 11-15) give a little bit of hope for restoration.
It is to verses 11-15 that we see hope. The Messiah is in full view in these verses. The booth/hut of David that will be raised up is the Messiah. In fact, Jews coined a term for the Messiah… Son of the Fallen… from these verses. The promised son of David would come and would rebuild the Kingdom of God “as of old.” The comment of Jesus in Matthew 12:42 about being greater than Solomon makes sense in light of this prophecy.
We should also take note that in verses 11-15 that the Kingdom would be expanded, be bountiful, and would include all nations called by God. There is restoration and planting and harvest and blessing. The inheritance God will give in the Messianic Age is a permanent one. Jesus Christ teaches this truth (for example) in John 10:28 when He teaches that no one will be plucked from His hand and life in Him is eternal.
There are great promises made amid such harsh judgment for all Israel and for the nations of the earth at the same time. Do not think either/or, but think both/and. People of faith are the survivors of the judgment who are in His Kingdom. Anyone… Jews or Gentiles… in the Kingdom of God will survive and be planted and will be secure. Israel (all the tribes)will be grafted into Christ (Romans 11) and when they abide they will be the remnant. This all began at Pentecost (Acts 2) and thus began the gathering of the nations unto Christ (the remnant, the mercy, the healing).
SUMMARY & APPLICATION: What is revealed about God’s character?
In God’s boundless grace, He has restored the House of David and brought forth a Savior. That Savior, Jesus of Nazareth the Christ, now sits at the right hand of God the Father forever. Jesus is not just for the Jews (He is for them), but He also calls all nations to Him who will place faith in Him. This grace comes after the judgment.
Mercy (hope they don’t deserve) is proclaimed.
TMB & BMD
Dwelling In Scripture 