The books of 1 and 2 kings or 1 and 2 chronicles do not mention this prophet, and he should not be confused with amoz, the father of isaiah the prophet. God called amos to prophesy to israel, and it seems that he did most of his work at bethel amos 7. Study guide for amos 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. Constables notes on amos 7 message the book of amos is distinctive from the other prophetic books of the old testament in two respects. The book of, one of the twelve minor prophets, is part of the christian old testament. Title as with each of the minor prophets, the title comes from the name of the prophet to whom god gave his message 1. Timeline for the book of genesis, a handout which gives an overview of the book of genesis in chronological order pdf. The oxford annotated bible prefaces the book of amos with a useful summary, excerpted.
We wish you and your bible study group an exciting journey through the world of the psalms accompanied by insights from the hebrew language. Amos phraseology illustrates the covenant background against which it. Preparation for the study in order to get the most out of this study, it is recommended that the student begin by reading the entire book through at least once, if not twice, before proceeding with the individual lesson studies. Language of the bible as with the rest of the bible, the book of genesis was written in the everyday language of the people of the time. The purpose of the book of amos was to announce gods holy judgment on the kingdom of israel the northern kingdom, call them to repentance, and to turn from their selfrighteous sins and idolatry. Traveled north to israel bethel to preach as one called of god 7. Our journey begins with a study of the book of amos. The book of amos catholic scripture study international. Philo, josephus, melitos catalogue, jerome, justin martyr dialogue with trypho, 22, quoting the fifth and six chapters of amos as one of the twelve minor prophets, and the sixtieth canon of the laodicean council support the canonicity of the book of. Amos the prophet the historical background a wandering people at. Amos was a judean prophet called to deliver a message primarily to the northern tribes of israel 7. Not much has been written about it in the new church. Constables notes on amos 2020 edition unity almost all scholars agree that the book of amos was originally a single book that the prophet amos wrote.
Spoke in bethel center for idol worship in israel and then in judah under jeroboam. It is based on the german lexicon by william gesenius. Whether he owned the flocks and groves or only worked as a hired hand is not known. Amos with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The book of amos is one of the least understood in the holy scriptures. Two quotations from amos occur in the new testament compare acts 7. But amos said, behold, the eyes of the lord god are upon the sinful kingdom, and i will destroy it from off the face of the earth amos 9. Helm study from the bible and be encouraged to grow your faith. Amos lived in the kingdom of judah but preached in the northern kingdom of israel. He also uses one nation against another to carry out his purposes 6. He prophesied in israel at the great cult center of bethel, from which he was finally expelled by the priest in charge of this royal sanctuary 7. Amos communicated gods utter disdain for the hypocritical lives of his people amos 5. It fits the three month study cycle that many bible study groups follow 12 psalms for 12 weeks.
Because the book of amos is a prophetic book and not an ancient history, such as ones that were written by the likes of herodotus and thucydides, it contains little recorded history to examine as a background for its events. Amos, whose name means burden, gives no family pedigree, hence we can assume he was not of noble or prominent stock, like isaiah or zephaniah. Study guide for james 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. The book of amos is the third of the twelve minor prophets in the tanakhold testament and the second in the greek septuagint tradition. However we tend to think of prophets being more like the prophets who had biblical book named after.
See the canon of the old testament for a more complete discussion. Transcribed and edited by david sielaff, february 20. Amos the prophet the historical background a wandering people at the start of what is a series looking at some of the prophets of israel, it might be helpful to do. Hebrew and english lexicon of the old testament by francis brown, s. Amos mission is directed to his neighbor to the north, israel. The books of 1 and 2 kings or 1 and 2 chronicles do not mention this prophet, and he should not be confused with amoz, the father of isaiah the prophet isaiah 1.
Amos the prophet the historical background a wandering people. God raised up the prophet amos, as an act of his great mercy to a. Amos the prophet the historical background a wandering people at the start of what is a series looking at some of the prophets of israel, it might be helpful to do a little history which gives us a feel of the background. This book of the prophet amos is the only mention we have of this man in the old testament. Outline of genesis with questions for each section. The following study guide is intended to immerse you into. He was a shepherd and tended to sycamore fig trees. Amos meaning burden or burdenbearer was an inhabitant of the rugged region of tekoa, located in the territory of judah about 12 miles south of jerusalem. Consider the historical background of the book of isaiah in order to better understand its author and message. Others believe malachi originally was part of the prophetic book of zechariah but was made into a separate book to make the minor prophets amount to the sacred number 12. Introduction beginning an exciting trip through gods word this study gives the purpose of these studies through the bible and the method that will be used as a guide, laying down a birds eye view, giving the student a. Pdf this study focuses upon the ot prophet amos and his life, mission, and message in.
In another place he wrote of the book of james, i think highly of the epistle of james, and regard it as valuable it does not expound human doctrines, but lays much emphasis on gods law. Charles savelle center point bible institute 1 the book of amos message. At one point, amaziah the priest had commanded amos to go south to speak his words of doom, yet the prophet answered by a thus saith jehovah amos 7. This summary of the book of amos provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of amos. We find two quotations from the book of amos in the acts of the apostles. The god for whom amos speaks is god of more than merely israel. Amos, an older contemporary of hosea and isaiah, was active c. Introduction to amos background rediscovering the bible. The book of amos amos was a sheepbreeder of tekoa in judah, who delivered his oracles in the northern kingdom during the prosperous reign of jeroboam ii 786746 b. Politically, it was a time of prosperity under the long and secure reign of jeroboam ii who, following the example of his father joash 2 kings. His message revealed a rich understanding of world history and current affairs. Inductive bible study draws you into personal interaction with god and his.
About the niv cultural backgrounds study bible this study bible has been purposebuilt to do one thing. For example, the bible speaks of the four corners of the earth isa 11. At the beginning of the book amos did not show any prophetic authority. Amos was a sheepbreeder of tekoa in judah, who delivered his oracles in the northern kingdom during the prosperous reign of jeroboam ii 786746 b. Book of amos overview insight for living ministries. The book of hosea stands first in the division of the bible called the book of the twelve in the apocrypha cf. The book of amos is the earliest of the book of the twelve prophets, and is relevant today, as it. Is the omission of malachis name of spiritual significance. Since i started working on this study of amos, i have searched our library holdings with the hope i would turn up a hidden or forgotten study by some new church scholar. Archer suggests that lexical evidence suggest that it is more likely that amos is quoting from joel rather than the other way around. He has a rural background and comes from judah hence is viewed as an interloper by the priests of bethel.
Amos therefore owned and tended flocks, and collected sycamore figs. Some scholars think ezra was the author of malachi. God raised up the prophet amos, as an act of his great mercy to a people who repeatedly shunned and disobeyed him. Martin luther knew and taught exactly what the book of james teaches. This amos bible lesson is suitable for those requiring an instant, free amos bible lesson. Gods presence on the earth will result in many benefits. St matthews amos bible studies st matthews anglican church. Lexical there are several excellent lexicons available for ancient hebrew. His prophecy concludes with only a brief glimpse of restoration, and even that is directed to judah, rather than the northern kingdom of israel 9.
He is the first prophet to have a book of the bible named after him. Amos was a sheepbreeder and tender of sycamore trees. To understand the content, we need to study the context first. The words of amos reveal jehovahs mercy towards an unworthy people. First, the prophet amos was not a prophet in the same sense that the other prophets were prophets. Amos, an older contemporary of hosea and isaiah was active during the reign of jeroboam ii, making the book of amos the first biblical prophetic book written. He was a shepherd and farmer, but had the special commission to proclaim gods message to the people of israel more precisely, to the northern kingdom of israel, since the people of israel had split into two kingdoms some 150 years before amos days. The book of amos is named after the prophet whose words are collected in this book.
The book of malachi uses the method of disputation. This lesson allows the student to become acquainted with the important content of the verses and chapters of this book of the bible. He was not a member of the prophetic guild but was a prophet nevertheless. The book of amos is written in some of the finest ot hebrew style.
Almost all scholars agree that the book of amos was originally a single book that the prophet amos wrote. Amos was from tekoa, a small town in judah about 6 miles south of bethlehem and 11 miles from jerusalem. Despite the fact that he lived in the southern kingdom of judah, god sent him as his prophet to the northern kingdom of. But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like. Although there are sermons using a verse or part of a. Amos predicted that after the nations had learned their lessons, israel and all nations would be restored and abundantly blessed, both physically and spiritually amos 9. Intro to hosea biblica the international bible society. And he said, the lord will roar from zion, and utter his voice from jerusalem.
An assertion or charge is made against the church and people, a fancied haughty objection is raised by the hearers, and then a refutation of the objection is presented by the speaker on behalf of the lord. Pdf the prophetic voice of amos as a paradigm for christians in. The minor prophets are 12 prophets grouped together in the bible. Gods relationship with his people includes judging them in righteousness when they sin and restoring them in grace. While hosea only prophesied regarding israel amos also prophesied concerning the neighbouring nations of israel. He warned that it was gods intention to punish sin. Intro to amos biblica the international bible society. He was not a man of the court like isaiah, or a member of a priestly family like jeremiah and ezekiel. Amos is a shepherd and a fruit picker from the judean village of tekoa when god calls him, even though he lacks an education or a priestly background. Summary of the book of amos the story of the bible.
God called amos from his rustic background to be a prophet to the whole family of. At the heart of this message is the covenant between yahweh and his people. This will help you get a feel for the book as a whole. Several charts and maps are included in this free bible class book color cover.
Amos the prophet the historical background a wandering. He earned his living from the flock and the sycamorefig grove 1. Amos testified boldly at bethel, a main worship center of the northern kingdom, until amaziah, chief priest at bethel, reported him to jeroboam ii as a traitor. The book of amos was likely written between 760 and 753 b. God spoke through amos, a prophet whose message was to endure throughout. The book of amos introduction to the book of amos in the bible.
He is the great king who rules the whole universe 4. Because he is allsovereign, the god of israel holds the history and destiny of all peoples and of the world in his hands. The amos bible lesson provides an overview or outline of this book of the bible. Amos lived in the kingdom of judah but preached in the northern kingdom of. It is a prophecy for the period just ahead of us, a prophecy dealing with a.