Amos
INTRODUCTION
Amos was a sheep rancher in Judah whom God sent to neighboring Israel, where he denounced the sins of that kingdom. His indictment of Israel charged the people with turning from God, exploiting the poor, and committing gross immorality. The preaching of Amos was characterized by striking visions of coming judgment, and by a blunt portrayal of the social sins that made the prosperous era of Jeroboam II so corrupt. Through Amos’ preaching we gain insight into God’s concern for social justice, and into the responsibility of God’s own to speak for the poor. As other Old Testament prophetic works, the Book of Amos concludes on a note of promise. Sin must be punished. But afterward a chastened and purified Israel will be restored.
| I. | Oracles of Judgment | Amos 1–6 |
| A. Against the nations | Amos 1:1–2:5 | |
| B. Against Israel | Amos 2:6–6:14 | |
| II. | Visions of Judgment | Amos 7:1–9:10 |
| III. | A Prediction of Renewal | Amos 9:11–15 |
Milo 