Read it: This is a look back at the Straight Talk with Amos Bible Study Series.
You may want to review any notes you’ve made, actions you’ve taken, or prayers you’ve written.
Think it through:
This was a heavy series—but how I’ve loved it!
Amos is no joke. The people of God were in huge trouble and his heart was burning for them. I’ve read Amos’s words and realized how very in trouble I am, and how God’s heart is burning for me.
Here are some of the things I’ve done as a result of this study:
Read it! Amos 9
For I will give the command and I will shake the house of Israel among all
the nations as grain is shaken in a sieve, and not a pebble will reach the ground.
All the sinners among my people will die by the sword,
all those who say, “Disaster will not overtake or meet us.”
(vs 9&10)
Think it through
How God hates sin. He really loathes it, despises it. Amos takes the first six verses of Chapter 9 to describe how not one of the Israelites would escape His wrath. Their physical death would reflect their spiritual one.
Read it! Amos 8
“What do you see, Amos?” he asked.
“A basket of ripe fruit,” I answered.
Then the Lord said to me, “The time is ripe for my people Israel;
I will spare them no longer.”
(vs 1&2)
Think it through
I was disappointed by my pears this week. Two days ago I cut one open and it was hard as a rock, like eating an apple. Today, I picked one up and could tell by the feel that it was overripe. Obviously, the day to eat my pear was yesterday, and I missed it.
Read it! Amos 7
This is what the Lord showed me:
The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb,
with a plumb line in his hand.
And the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Amos?”
“A plumb line,” I replied.
Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel;
I will spare them no longer.”
(vs 7&8)
Think it through
I love how the Lord gives us images we can understand amidst so much that we cannot. From Moses’ histories to the Prophets’ warnings, and from Jesus’ parables to Paul’s letters, God uses relatable images to make things real to us. When we take the time to really study His word and enter into the setting and context, we can see and feel exactly what He intended!
Read it! Amos 6
You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions,
But you do not grieve over the ruins of Joseph.
(vs 6)
Think it through
God calls out in the first verse of this reading, “Woe to you who are complacent in Zion!” Amos goes on to describe people enjoying their rich blessings, taking personal credit for their successes, and ignoring the things of God. They are complacent.
Read it!: Amos 5
You hate the one who reproves in court
And despise him who tells truth.
(vs 10)
Think it through:
Amos had so many terrible things to point out to the Israelites about their behavior and lifestyle. In Chapter 5, he talks about how Israel’s legal system was in trouble. Bribes and injustices were common. “One who reproves in court” is a person who is trying to be honest and seek justice. Apparently they were in the minority.
Read it!: Amos 4
“Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel,
and because I will do this to you, Israel, prepare to meet your God.”
(vs 12)
Think it through:
This Israelites had all kinds of warnings and consequences to their actions. Amos lists them in all in Chapter 4, and then he tells them what’s coming. He truly was a prophet, a man who had the word of God to speak and spoke it, apparently without hesitation.
Read it!: Amos 3
You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth;
Therefore I will punish you for all your sins.
(vs 2)
Think it through:
Amos is relaying some tough love here, no doubt.
God had granted the Israelites an unbelievable gift of knowledge. They had seen the miracles. They had heard His voice and seen the effects of His presence. His laws were hand-delivered to them on stones carved by His own finger. And yet they chose to ignore Him and go their own way into a sinful lifestyle.
Read it!: Amos 2
The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster his strength,
The warrior will not save his life.
The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet-footed soldier will not get away.
And the horsemen will not save his life.
(vs 14&15)
Think it through:
I think you’d agree that no one can escape the wrath, rules, or judgment of God. Self-sufficiency is an illusion. We all depend upon God every day, and we’re all accountable to Him at the end of each one.
Read it!: Amos 1
For three sins of Damascus, even for four,
I will not turn back my wrath…
(vs 3 and repeated)
Think it through:
Amos starts out with a bang, doesn’t he? He lets us know that God does get tired of our repeated sin.
Because of Christ’s sacrifice, God has promised to forgive us over and over, but that doesn’t give us the freedom to ignore his laws and commands. He does get frustrated and angry with us when we do wrong, particularly when we know better.
