GOD, THE LION/AMOS 1-2:3
We can briefly state Amos’ theme this way: "Yahweh
is the author of desolation (judgment) and restoration
(salvation)." Another way of thinking about the theme is
to say, "The message of Amos points to Yahweh as the
sovereign, free, and all-powerful Ruler over the
nations." Amos has much to say to us individually, as a
church, and as a nation. We begin with some ...
I) BASIC BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A) Not much is know about Amos other than what is
revealed in the book bearing his name (1:1). He was a
sheepherder of Tekoa, which was a part of the southern kingdom
of Judah. Amos was not a prophet by trade, but was called of
God to the task. He was called to be a prophet to the northern
kingdom of Israel. He lived and preached in the 8th
century BC (c. 760 BC). He prophesied/preached during
Israel’s greatest days of prosperity, and religious
observances. But such days brought God’s greatest
displeasure as we will soon see.
B) There is an observable pattern of God’s
judgment found in this section of Scripture. "Over and
over the prophet denounces sinful behavior, and with each
succeeding section the text includes another group of people
until all are under God’s condemnation. All, that is, except
the remnant. Like Amos, they are victims caught in the web of
seemingly hopelessly ingrained sin that pervades that era.
According to Amos, God roars against this sin and is
determined to obliterate it." Amos’ desire is to see
Israel, and the other nations, repent of their sins so that
God would relent. There’s a message here for us even before
we get into the text–turn from our sins, repent, and God
will offer grace and mercy. So, listen up ...
II) "THE LORD ROARS FROM ZION"
A) In verse 2, we get a glimpse of God
portrayed as a lion that roars before devouring its prey. God
from His throne, as the Sovereign King over all nations past
and future, turns His fury toward unrepentant sinners. His
voice is found in the voice of Amos, and in the destruction to
come. This sets the stage for the judgment upon the nations.
B) We will briefly consider the reasons for God’s
judgment upon each nation mentioned. Again, it must be kept in
mind, God has the right to judge all nations as He is the one
who established them, and who gave them a conscience to guide
them even without a knowledge of God’s Law, the Law given to
His covenant people. Here are God’s judgments:
1) Syria (Damascus) is condemned for atrocities in
war against the people of Gilead, a part of Israel (1:3-5).
They have treated people as if they were objects. 2)
Philistia (Gaza) has practiced slavery, having sold God’s
people to Edom (1:6-8). They took advantage of the
defenseless. 3) Phoenicia (Tyre) has broken her treaty
with Israel and sold her people into slavery in Edom (1:9,10).
Lies and personal gain dictated their foreign policy. 4)
Edom indulged a long-standing racial prejudice against God’s
people (1:11,12). Their anger showed no compassion. 5)
Ammon was guilty of genocidal imperialism (1:13-15).
The women and their children hardly represents a threat of the
Ammonite army, yet such cruelty in war. 6) Moab was
guilty of the desecration of the dead (2:1-3). Their
desire for revenge does not stop even when their enemy dies.
C) "God’s ability to judge these lands
demonstrates His sovereignty over the whole earth. God knows
and sees what they do, which reveals the Lord’s omnipresence
and omniscience. Yahweh holds these countries responsible for
their actions despite the fact that they are not the covenant
nation. They are guilty of perpetuating behavior that they do
not want done to themselves, so the Lord has just cause to
denounce them." So, what does this mean to us today?
III) THE APPLICATION
A) First, "it is clear that God is concerned
about vindicating His law in the affairs of all nations.
God’s Word claims the obedience of all men–as individuals
and as nations." "Amos shows us that ... nations are
not to commit atrocities, not to persecute God’s people, not
to break treaties and not even to desecrate the bones of
heathen kings!" If this is so, how much more, will the
judgment of God, be poured out on those who rebel against the
King of Kings, Jesus Christ, by refusing His right to rule?
B) Second, we, the Church, have a prophetic task,
and that task includes declaring the mind of God, as revealed
in the Scriptures, on social, national, and international
issues. "We must be clear that the witness of Christ’s
Church is to call men and nations to submit to Christ’s
lordship in terms of the biblical principles appropriate to
personal and national life."
C) Third, "the prophetic witness of the church
to the nations cannot be separated from the gospel of
salvation through faith in Christ as the sin-bearing
Substitute for sinners. Lives are to be changed, patterns of
thinking reformed, behavior transformed, sins confessed and
repented of, and all through receiving Jesus Christ in a faith
that looks to Him as the only Savior for time and eternity.
Christ is Lord–not a social program or a political
theory."
