NextLevel Online: The Book of Amos

Amos Introduction and Background (Amos 1:1)

This first session is an introduction to the Book of Amos. The author explains how understanding the historical context helps us understand what Amos is about.
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Amos Introduction and Background (Amos 1:1)

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The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.

Classroom Instructions

Lesson
8:05Session 1 VideoSession 1 Video

Amos Introduction and Background (Amos 1:1)

Intro to the Minor Prophets

  1. God called certain individuals to be his mouthpiece: the prophets.

  2. The word “prophet” means to “bubble forth” meaning to speak enthusiastically.

  3. Augustine noted the term “Minor” only referred to their literary length, not the importance of their content. The minor prophets have less narrative surrounding their oracles, making them significantly shorter than Isaiah, Jeremiah, or Ezekiel.

Historical Context of Amos

  • “The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa—the vision he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel” (1:1).

  1. Uzziah, King of Judah (2 Kings 15:1-5; 2 Chron 26:1-23)

  2. Jeroboam II, King of Israel (2 Kings 14:25-29)

  3. “Two years before the earthquake.”

Background of Amos the Prophet

  1. Amos’ Hebrew name means “Burden Bearer.”

  2. 1:1 and 7:14 share that Amos tended sycamore-fig trees and was a “shepherd.”

  3. “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet.”

  4. Amos is from Tekoa which is ten miles south of Jerusalem.

Application

  1. Amos is a great example to do things we do not feel qualified to do in places where we do not feel qualified to go.
  2. Many of us live with or around people with calloused hearts toward God.
  3. Like Amos, we need to concentrate on our commissioning and God will handle the results.

Session 1 Discussion Questions

  1. Why do most Christians struggle reading the Minor Prophets?
  2. How does understanding the historical context help us understand the content of Amos?
  3. Amos’ name means “Burden Bearer” which is a reflection of the ministry God called him to. What burdens your heart? How do you respond to that burden?

Amos Introduction and Background (Amos 1:1) Instructions

Lesson
8:05Session 1 VideoSession 1 Video

Amos Introduction and Background (Amos 1:1)

Intro to the Minor Prophets

  1. God called certain individuals to be his mouthpiece: the prophets.

  2. The word “prophet” means to “bubble forth” meaning to speak enthusiastically.

  3. Augustine noted the term “Minor” only referred to their literary length, not the importance of their content. The minor prophets have less narrative surrounding their oracles, making them significantly shorter than Isaiah, Jeremiah, or Ezekiel.

Historical Context of Amos

  • “The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa—the vision he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel” (1:1).

  1. Uzziah, King of Judah (2 Kings 15:1-5; 2 Chron 26:1-23)

  2. Jeroboam II, King of Israel (2 Kings 14:25-29)

  3. “Two years before the earthquake.”

Background of Amos the Prophet

  1. Amos’ Hebrew name means “Burden Bearer.”

  2. 1:1 and 7:14 share that Amos tended sycamore-fig trees and was a “shepherd.”

  3. “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet.”

  4. Amos is from Tekoa which is ten miles south of Jerusalem.

Application

  1. Amos is a great example to do things we do not feel qualified to do in places where we do not feel qualified to go.
  2. Many of us live with or around people with calloused hearts toward God.
  3. Like Amos, we need to concentrate on our commissioning and God will handle the results.

Session 1 Discussion Questions

  1. Why do most Christians struggle reading the Minor Prophets?
  2. How does understanding the historical context help us understand the content of Amos?
  3. Amos’ name means “Burden Bearer” which is a reflection of the ministry God called him to. What burdens your heart? How do you respond to that burden?