The Shepherd of Tekoa

Most of the Old Testament prophets directed their prophecies against the Kingdom of Judah, the southern kingdom. Although the fall of the Kingdom of Israel, the northern kingdom, was foretold by some prophets, the primary focus was on Judah, because Judah was the center of the worship of God, the Temple and the Law. “To whom much is given, much is expected.” (Luke 12:47-48))

However, the focus of Amos was on the Kingdom of Israel, where the golden calves were worshipped in Bethel and Dan. Amos was a shepherd from a small town south of Jerusalem. He was “unlettered,” he had no credentials (Amos 7:14) but the Lord used him for His devastating message against Israel.

Amos begins with the Lord declaring that He will send fire against the pagan neighbors of the Kingdom of Israel, Damascus, Gaza and the Philistines, Tyre, Edom, Ammon and Moab, because of their sins. But then the Lord promised to send fire against the Kingdom of Judah, the southern neighbor of Israel. Why? Because Judah “despised the Law of the Lord. (Amos 2:4).

After this, the prophet directs his words against Israel. The Lord’s condemnation was largely due to Israel being self-satisfied and depending on their wealth. This same theme is found in Isaiah when Assyria attacked Israel.

“And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart, The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.” – Isaiah 9:9-10
If this sounds familiar, it is because the leaders of the United States used this very Scripture right after “9/11” to proclaim their self-satisfied dependence on their own wealth and strength. In fact, the Lord’s criticisms of Israel sound much like the United States today.
Amos prophesied during the time of the notorious King Ahab. Two times the Lord gave Syria into the hands of Ahab, that he would know that God is Lord of all (I Kings 20:13, 20:28) The graciousness of the Lord did not change Ahab, but it did provide additional wealth for the merchants of Samaria. This explains the merchant wealth of Israel, and its foretold destruction. (Amos 3:12-15)

The Lord said that the time was ripe for Israel. The Lord foretold the “sweeping away” of the House of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, two principal families of Israel. He declared the House of Jereboam would die, and that Israel would be exiled far beyond Damascus (Amos 5:27). This occurred in 722 B.C. The Lord, through Amos, stated that “in that day” there would be death and destruction (Amos 8:3).

Shortly after this, He said “in that day I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.” “And I will make it as the mourning of an only son.” (Amos 8:9-10) This prophecy was fulfilled on the day of the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 27:45). As a result of Israel’s failure to recognize the Messiah, the Lord caused the sun to cease giving light at noon. And, in another prophecy relating to the time when Israel and Judah will recognize Jesus as Messiah, the Prophet Zechariah foretold that:

“they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son.” – Zechariah 12:10
But, after all the condemnation of Israel, Amos foretold the wonderful Millennial Kingdom. He prophesied that “in that day” David’s House and lineage would be restored (Amos 9:11). The Lord promised abundance to Israel and that the exiles would be returned (Amos 9:13). And in a final word, the Lord promised that Israel would never again be removed from the land that He had given them (Amos 9:15).

I look forward to that day, because the Lord never goes back on His promises. Praise His name!

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