Amos 6

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Conclusion of the Third Sermon

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God holds accountable those living in the lap of luxury.

  2. God brings down those boasting in the arm of strength.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. How stupid can you be?

QUESTIONS

  1. Amos preached at Bethel, the “house of God”. Was it really a house of God?

  2. Was Amos preaching to a receptive audience?

  3. Was Amos timid and afraid to speak out against the sins of the nation and to pronounce the judgment of God on the Northern Kingdom of Israel?

  4. What was the capitol of the Northern Kingdom?

  5. Who was king of the Northern Kingdom during Amos’ time?

  6. Describe the state of the Northern Kingdom during Amos’ time.

  7. Was there idolatry in the Southern Kingdom as well as in the Northern Kingdom at this time?

ANSWERS

  1. No. During Amos’ time, Bethel had become a center of idolatry.

  2. No. He risked his life to preach against the sins of the Northern Kingdom, especially at Bethel where the leaders of the nation would come to worship their pagan deities.

  3. No. See Amos 6:1.

  4. Samaria.

  5. Jeroboam II.

  6. Israel, the Northern Kingdom was quite prosperous, both economically and materially. It was referred to as the chief nation of the whole house of Israel, which included even the people of Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom. Everyone in the house of Israel looked to the Northern Kingdom as a tower of strength, and they looked to the leaders of the north for guidance. But the Northern Kingdom was morally and spiritually corrupt.

  7. Yes. See Amos 6:2. The three cities mentioned here were in the Southern Kingdom.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Read Amos 6:4-6. God was not condemning the wealthy because of their wealth, but because they were not concerned about the poor. They were wrongly using their money for their selfish lifestyles. Meanwhile, the poor and oppressed cried out all around them and they did not care. For this they would be judged. God still holds those accountable who are well off financially. It is not wrong to be rich, but it is wrong not to care and share with those who are hurting. Do you know people who use their money selfishly? Are you in this category, even if you have limited means? How could you show concern in a tangible way for the poor and oppressed? Read 1 Timothy 6:17-18.

  2. The Northern Kingdom of Israel thought itself strong and secure, and they boasted in their own arm of strength. God brought them down for this prideful boasting. Whenever man boasts in his own arm of strength, beware! Have you ever been tempted to take the glory for a victory? God alone deserves the glory.

CHALLENGE

  1. Israel turned justice into gall and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood (Amos 6:12). They were not only hurting themselves and making life bitter, but they were destroying themselves and their own nation. How about America? We have taken God out of the classroom, making moral standards relative, and we have glorified man over God. We are hurting ourselves and destroying our nation. What can you do in your corner of service to counteract this situation? The judgments of Amos 6:14 are God’s challenge to nations today.

KEY VERSES

  • “The Lord God of hosts says: ‘I abhor the pride…and will deliver it up…’” Amos 6:8

  • “You have turned justice into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood.” Amos 6:12



Amos, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsAmos 6