THE prophet Amos was a herdman, raised up of God to prophesy concerning Israel in the reign of Uzziah king of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Joash king of Israel.
In the first and second chapters he pronounces judgment concerning Judah, and Israel, and the surrounding nations, introduced by the declaration that “the Lord will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem.” The terrible judgments of Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, are each recorded, and then the sins of Judah, and especially of Israel, are more particularly detailed.
In the third chapter the whole family of Israel, which God brought up from the land of Egypt, is addressed as the only family on earth God had known, and therefore He must punish them for their iniquities. Having been brought out of Egypt, by redemption, into relationship with God, He governs them, and therefore must judge evil. He asks, therefore, “Can two walk together, except they are agreed?” Their sins are very grievous; “they know not to do right; they store up violence and robbery in their palaces;” therefore God must bring down their strength and spoil their palaces. Nor will the idolatrous altars of Bethel be forgotten; yet a few shall be delivered, as a shepherd takes out two legs, or a piece of an ear, from the mouth of a lion.
But though God had visited them with famine, smitten them with blasting and mildew, the palmer-worm, pestilence, the sword, and death, and so overthrown some of them that they were as a fire-brand plucked out of the burning, “yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.” The prophet therefore exclaims, “Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.” (chapter 4)
The virgin of Israel is deeply fallen, and again and again the word of the prophet to them is, “Seek the Lord, and ye shall live;” seek good, and not evil; to so judge themselves as to hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate; for it may be that the Lord God of Hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph; for God hated and despised their feast days, and would not smell in their solemn assemblies. They must go into captivity. (chapter 5)
But woe to them who are at ease in Zion, who are living in luxury, and not grieved for the affliction of Joseph! They shall be the first to go into captivity; for the Lord God of Hosts will abhor the excellency of Jacob, deliver up the city and all therein, and bring a nation against them to afflict them. (chapter 6)
Though judgment had long been delayed, it can be so no longer. The prophet sees a plumbline, and the sanctuaries of Israel must be laid waste, and their cities made desolate. Amos is told that Bethel is the king’s chapel, and is forbidden to prophesy there again; but he asserts his authority as from God, and that he was speaking the word of the Lord. An important principle to be observed at a time when God’s people had so departed from Him. (chapter 7)
In the vision of “the summer fruit” he learns that the end is come, judgment can no longer be delayed. There shall be, moreover, a famine of the word of the Lord. They shall no longer have divine guidance and instruction. (chapter 8)
They cannot escape God’s terrible judgments; for all is under God’s ordering; and though He would destroy the kingdom from off the face of the earth, yet He will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob. He will sift the house of Israel like corn in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. He will raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, close up the breaches, raise up his ruins, build it as in the days of old. The plowman shall overtake the reaper, the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. “And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, with the Lord thy God.” (chapter 9)