Amos 3-5

Amos 3

“You only have I known…”

• “Known” (Hebrew: יָדַע, yada‘) = covenant relationship
• Israel’s special status means greater accountability
  • Deuteronomy 7:6–8

6 Rhetorical questions show:

• Nothing happens randomly
• Judgment has a cause

“Does disaster come… unless the LORD has done it?”

• God is sovereign even over judgment events

God reveals His plans through prophets. The prophet must speak, like a lion must roar

• Judgment is never without warning.

Nations are called to witness Israel’s injustice

• “They do not know how to do right” Sin has become normalized.

Judgment 

• Altars at Bethel destroyed
• Luxurious homes will fall

Amos 4

“Cows of Bashan”

• Wealthy class exploiting the poor
• Living comfortably while others suffer
• From https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/amos-4/ : Psalm 22:12 mentions the strong bulls of Bashan; Ezekiel 39:18 mentions the large livestock, the fatlings of Bashan. It’s no exaggeration to say that Amos calls these women “fat cows.” Though it is true that the very skinny ideal of female beauty is a modern phenomenon and especially in ancient times plumpness was a valued sign of affluence, we can count on it that at no time in human history has a woman appreciated being called a fat cow.

“Come to Bethel—and transgress”

• Religious activity continues
• But it is offensive to God
• They love corruption

Repeated Warnings from God

• Famine
• Drought
• Crop failure
• Disease
• Defeat

Repeated line: “Yet you did not return to me”

Prepare to Meet Your God: Final warning

Amos 5

Funeral Song Over Israel

• A lament for a nation not yet destroyed
• Going from 1000 to 100 to 10 

She is told do not seek religious centers but seek God Himself

Bethel, Gilgal, Beersheba mentioned. 

From https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/amos-5/

· Bethel was the place where God met Jacob (Genesis 28:11-19, Genesis 35:1-7).

· Gilgal was the place where Israel’s spiritual reproach was rolled away in the days of Joshua (Joshua 5:1-12).

· Beersheba was connected to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 21:22-33, 26:23-33, 46:1-5).

Justice turned into bitterness (wormwood) 

Run to God – the one who formed the constellations

Mighty sins:

• Taking bribes
• Afflicting the just
• Diverting justice 

What they should do 

• Seek good
• Hate evil
• Establish justice

Mourning Is Coming

• Widespread grief across society
• There will be wailing
• Everyone affected

the Day of the LORD

• People expect victory
• Amos says it will be darkness
• Escaping danger only to face another

“I hate, I despise your feasts”

• Offerings and songs rejected
• God rejects worship that is disconnected from righteousness.
• Matthew 5:23-24

“Let justice roll down like waters…” Justice should be constant and flowing

Israel’s long history of idolatry since Egypt

• Result: exile beyond Damascus

Application

In Amos 3-5, God shows that knowing Him  should lead to deeper obedience. These chapters warn that it is possible to be outwardly religious (feasts, sacrifices, etc) while inwardly unjust. We are called to “seek the LORD and live,” which means turning from sin and  pursuing good.