Before Reading.
- Centering prayer— Pray for illumination, “Lord, open my heart and mind by the power of the Holy Spirit,” and remain in silence.
Reading.
- Read slowly, keeping any words or phrase that come to your mind, and mark on them.
- Close eyes and meditate on what you read.
- Take a note if you have question, inspiration.
Read Amos 1
Overview.
Judgement on Israel’s neighbors.
Who is Amos?
Amos was a shepherd of Tekoa who saw concerning Israel and Judah during the time of King Uzziah in Juda, and King Jeroboam in Israel. His prophecy was done during the time of 783- 742 BC, when Israel attained territorial expansion and national prosperity, with military security and economic affluence. The people of Israel regarded these as the sign of God’s favor toward them.
He was called by God from a shepherd’s task to the mission of preaching hard words toward his people for pride in military forces, practicing injustice in social life, immorality, and shallow meaningless piety.
The book of Amos is divided into three parts, chapter 1-2, oracles against Israel’s neighbors; chapters 3-6, indictment of Israel for sin and injustice, and chapter 7-9, visions of Israel’s coming doom and restoration.
Prophetic message, oracles, against Israel’s neighbors, begins with superscription, “he saw, “(v.1). He saw what would happen to Israel. Earthquake implies the way how God will judege the neighboring nations, Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, and Ammon. Amos saw fire as judgement of God, “I will send fire, (vv4, 7, 10,12, 14). His prophecy was done two years before the earthquake broke out.
1. What does this passage tell you about God?
2. What does this passage tell you about people.?
3. What does this passage tell you about yourself and God’s will for you?
