Amos

By William Dean Hamilton

A definitive interpretation of the literal, historical, and symbolic meaning of the Book of Amos. This is a book of a call for the Nation of Israel to repent of their sins, and judgments that were imminently upon them. Amos is one of the Minor Prophets but is a longer book than Daniel.
Amos was living at a time when there was gross immorality in Israel and Judah, but the prophecy is centered on the northern kingdom of Israel. After a brief introduction, he lists a series of eight "for three crimes-make that four statements" against the nations which surrounded Israel, ending with Judah and Israel. The prophecies are centered in Israel, and as the judgments progress, they get physically and relationally closer to Israel. All of the nations except for Israel have about the same length of prophecy against them, but Israel's list of sins and judgments is much longer. God has been building up to the judgment of Israel for a long time, but because of his mercy, he held his judgment, but there is always a time when God can withhold his judgment no longer. Israel is more responsible for sin than gentile nations as they had received the Law and instruction from God.
Amos delivered the message that Samaria would fall, which was the capital of Israel. God has indicated that he had brought judgments of drought, disease, and a plague and caused their young men to be killed, but they still did not turn back to him. Amos then describes in a poetic fashion how wonderful and just God is in contrast to how corrupt Israel has become. He also describes judgments to come.
Amos shifts to the Day of Yahweh and describes how it will be a dark day and not light at all. He details the ways in which Israel's religious activities do not move him because of their insincerity and idolatry. He mentions the rich next, as they have been oppressing the poor. God then shows two hypothetical judgments which he did not do to Israel as they were too weak to survive, and then he lists the judgment that did happen.
Amos is confronted by the priest of Bethel and told to leave as he was disturbing the people. Amos told him that he wasn't a prophet by profession or heritage, but was called by God, and therefore had to prophesy. He then indicated that the Israelites who survived would be exiled to another land. He then continued to mix the sins of Israel with the judgment of God in a poetic way. He indicates that they have been doing the same things that God judged the gentile nation for when he banished them from the land and gave it to Israel. God promises that he will rebuild a Davidic dynasty and he will restore the cities which are in ruin. They will grow food bountifully and they will never be uprooted from the land again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: William Dean Hamilton
• Release date: Dec 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005778927

William Dean Hamilton

Mr. Hamilton is the author of over 1,000 articles, works of fiction and Poetry, and has just had his book, “Would You Do What They Did? Great Christian Leaders From Our Past” published by Crosslink Publishing. Mr. Hamilton writes the blog This Week in Christian History. He has recently been interviewed on Red’s Revelations, in Book Goodies, and by the Awesome Gang. 110 copies of one of his previous books, “Blessed, Life and Films of Val Kilmer,” were signed by Val Kilmer.

Book preview

Amos

By

William Dean Hamilton

Copyright 2022 William Dean Hamilton

Smashwords Edition

Table of contents

Introduction

Synopsis

Outline

Symbols

For 3 Crimes, Make that 4

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Introduction

The name Amos means either to carry or borne by God. This is a fitting name for this prophet, as he had to carry the message to a people that didn't want to hear it. Amos was a herdsman and it is recorded in the text that he took care of sycamore trees, which meant he picked figs from them. One of the words used to describe him as a shepherd indicates that he raised a type of sheep which were known for their excellent wool, and may refer to him being the head of a group of shepherds. He specifically said that he was not a prophet or a prophet's son, but that he had to speak because he saw a Word from the LORD. While this might be taken to mean that he was a poor farmer, the language he uses and his knowledge indicates that he had been educated. He was from Tekoa, a small town in Judah that was six miles south of Bethlehem and 11 miles from Jerusalem. Despite his being from the southern kingdom of Judah, the majority of his message is for the northern kingdom of Israel (the nation of Israel had been split into two parts as the result of a civil war).

Amos preached during the reigns of King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam II, who was the son of Joash. Jeroboam II's reign was marked by the conquest of land previously conquered by Syria, this made Israel the largest it was, except for when David reigned. Therefore he would have preached from approximately 760-750 B.C.. The expansion put the nation in the midst of trade routes from which they were able to collect tolls and enrich the country. The new riches were not evenly distributed, in fact, the poor were worse off than they were previously because they were cheated and oppressed.

Amos indicates that he saw the vision two years before a great earthquake. This earthquake has been recorded in secular history and is one of the worst earthquakes recorded in ancient history. Damage from this earthquake has been recorded in six separate dig sites. The earthquake has been estimated to have a seismic intensity of 8, as it caused damage to well-built structures. Some writers indicate that Amos was killed by the last of the sons of the priest at Bethel by driving a nail through his temple, after which he was taken back to his home country and died there. Amos records five visions from God in this book. The number five representation of judgment, which can mean a blessing or a curse.

Sometimes the Jewish people are symbolic of all of the saved people. Most of the prophecies in this book are for the people of the northern nation of Israel, so this is not the case here. It is still important to study the book because it lets us know how God judges his people and that we must repent and follow God's morality. Rituals are not enough to save us, but must be accompanied by a change in heart. The end of the book looks forward to Jesus' redemption of his chosen people.

Synopsis

Amos was living at a time when there was gross immorality in Israel and Judah, but the prophecy is centered on the northern kingdom of Israel. After a brief introduction, he lists a series of eight for three crimes-make that four statements against the nations which surrounded Israel, ending with Judah and Israel. The prophecies are centered in Israel, and as the judgments progress, they get physically and relationally closer to Israel. All of the nations except for Israel have about the same length of prophecy against them, but Israel's list of sins and judgments is much longer. God has been building up to the judgment of Israel for a long time, but because of his mercy, he held his judgment, but there is always a time when God can withhold his judgment no longer. Israel is more responsible for sin than gentile nations as they had received the Law and instruction from God.

Amos delivered the message that Samaria would fall, which was the capital of Israel. God has indicated that he had brought judgments of drought, disease, and a plague and caused their young men to be killed, but they still did not turn back to him. Amos then describes in a poetic fashion how wonderful and just God is in contrast to how corrupt Israel has become. He also describes judgments to come.

Amos shifts to the Day of Yahweh and describes how it will be a dark day and not light at all. He details the ways in which Israel's religious activities do not move him because of their insincerity and idolatry. He mentions the rich next, as they have been oppressing the poor. God then shows two hypothetical judgments which he did not do to Israel as they were too weak to survive, and then he lists the judgment that did happen.

Amos is confronted by the priest of Bethel and told to leave as he was disturbing the people. Amos told him that he wasn't a prophet by profession or heritage, but was called by God, and therefore had to prophesy. He then indicated that the Israelites who survived would be exiled to another land. He then continued to mix the sins of Israel with the judgment of God in a poetic way. He indicates that they have been doing the same things that God judged the gentile nation for when he banished them from the land and gave it to Israel. God promises that he will rebuild a Davidic dynasty and he will restore the cities which are in ruin. They will grow food bountifully and they will never be uprooted from the land again.

Outline

Introduction to Amos's Message (1:1-2)

Oracles against Eight Nations, including Judah and Israel (1:3-2:16)

Judgment against Israel (ch. 3)

Judgment on an Unrepentant and Unjust People (ch. 4-5)

A Message of Woe against Israel's Pride (6:1-7)

A Sworn