Search The Scriptures —Study 5— Amos 8:4-9:15

Study 5  From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: Amos 8:4-9:15

1.     Why is social injustice the burden of Amos’ prophecy? What seven forms of judgement are spoken of in 8:7-14? Are these in any way related to the sins of the nation?

2.     9:1-10. How does this final vision show that none can escape the hand of God?

3.     What does this final chapter teach about the relationship between judgement and restoration in the purposes of God?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4— Amos 7:1-8:3

Study 4  From The Books of Amos Is: Amos 7:1-8:3

1.     What is the significance of each of Amos’ four vision (7: 1-9, 8:1-3)?  What truth is demonstrated by the difference between the first two and the last two?

2.     7:10-17. How does this section reveal the fearless courage of the prophet and the danger to which his obedience to God’s call exposed him?  What may we learn from this concerning the demands of God’s service?

Notes

1. 7:4. “The great deep”: probably a reference to the ancient belief in underground depths which supplied water for streams, springs, etc. Cf. Gn. 7:11.
2. 7:10. Bethel was the chief sanctuary of the northern kingdom.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3— Amos 5 & 6

Study 3  From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: Amos 5 & 6

1.     5: 1-17.  God uses various methods to draw men back to Himself. Chapter 4 mentioned natural calamities; this chapter, a plea for right living.  What sins are rebuked in these verses, and what is the one way of escape?

2.     5:18-27.  What is necessary to make our worship acceptable to God? How did Israel fail? Is our worship in danger of falling under the same judgement?

3.     Chapter 6.  Why were the Israelites insensitive to the approaching judgement? What warning does this contain for us?

Notes

1. 5:25, 26.  These verses are obscure, but seem to mean that the idolatrous tendency in Israel found expression in the day of the wilderness wandering as it was doing now in Amos’ day.
2. 6:2. Probably a reference to cities which have recently fallen. Israel is no more secure than they were.
3. 6:10.  This reference to burning the dead indicates a time of emergency.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2— Amos 3 & 4

2  From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: Amos 3 & 4

1.      3: 3-8.  These verses, by a statement of the law of cause and effect, underline the fact that the unexpected prophecy of 3:1, 2 is indeed from God. What does this prophecy teach regarding the responsibility of the people of God?

2.     3:9-15. what is the significance of the invitation to the Philistines and Egyptians to come and see the evil done in Samaria?

1.     What does chapter 4 teach on the following issues: (a) the evil of luxury, (b) religious formalism, and (c) God’s attempts to bring Israel to her senses? Notice the solemn conclusion of verse 12.

Notes

1. 4:1. A reference to the wealthy women of Samaria. The cattle of Bashan were noted for their quality.
2. 4:5, 6.  These verses are ironical in tone.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Amos 1 & 2

Study 1  From The Books of Amos & Hosea  Is: Amos 1& 2

1. What are the particular sins of the nations (1:3-2:3) which call for God’s judgment? What may be learnt from this about the things God hates?
2. Judah and Israel are judged because they have failed to live up to God’s law—a different standard of judgement from that applied to the nations. In what ways does 2:4-16 show the social, economic, and religious guilt of God’s people? How do we fall short on the same issues?

Notes

1.         1:3. Heavy machines for threshing grain had been used as instruments of torture on the people of Gilead.

2.         2:1.  Desecration of the dead as considered specially wicked

3.         2:8. Cf. Ex. 22:26.  The judges demanded unjust fines, accepting payment in clothing and wine, then made use of these at their sacrificial feasts.

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Search The Scriptures —Next Study — Books of Amos & Hosea

WHY THESE TWO  BOOKS TOGETHER?

Study  From The Books of Amos & Hosea: Introduction

These two prophets are linked together in that both prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel about the same time.

Amos was the earlier by a few years, His ministry took place in the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II. He himself belonged to Judah, and was a herdsman when called of God to prophesy to northern Israel (Am. 7:14, 15).  The kingdom was at that time outwardly prosperous, but all kinds of evil were rife in the land, and the people, thinking themselves secure in Jehovah’s favor resented any reproof (Am. 5:10) They did not realize that they were not worshiping Him in the way that He desired, and that their sins were bringing judgement near.  Amos, filled with a vision of the majesty and righteousness of God, denounced the sins of the land, and the false worship that was offered. Let them not imagine that because they were the people of Jehovah, therefore they would escape punishment (Am.3:2).

The first three chapters of Hosea also belong to the closing years of the reign of Jeroboam II, but the remaining chapter reflect the chaotic conditions of the periods that followed Jeroboam’s death. Hosea was a native of the northern kingdom, and had been deeply taught in the school of sorrow.  His own sad history was used by the Holy Spirit to fit him in a unique way to see into the heart of God, and to depict the sorrow which His people’s ingratitude and unfaithfulness cause Him. No prophet so clearly shows us the love of God, without in any way weakening the claims of His holiness; and thus he prepares the way for the perfect revelation of God’s love and holiness given in our Lord Jesus Christ.  In understanding Hosea’s message, however, it must be borne in mind that the Israelites had adopted many Canaanite religious practices, including that of gross sexual immorality in worship.  In the light of this, the ‘harlot’ theme in Hosea has both a literal and a metaphorical meaning. 

Search The Scriptures — Study 56 - Revision of The Book of Acts

Study 56 From The Book of Acts Is: Revision

We have reached the end of the book of Acts

1. Trace through the following key verses in the book: 1:8; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20 and 28:31.  What reasons can you list from them for the growth of the early church? What lessons do you learn about obedience to God’s Word, trust in God’s power, and witness to the Lord Jesus Christ?
2. In such passages as 20:18-35; 21:13, 14; 23:1; 24:16; 26:19-23, 29 and 27:22-35, we have an insight into the real personality and spirit of Paul.  List the qualities that are outstanding.  Were these natural or divine qualities?  Can they be yours? 

Search The Scriptures — Study 55 — Acts 28:17-31

Study 55 From The Book of Acts Is: Acts 28:17-31

1. Paul at Rome (verses 17-22).  What was Paul’s chief concern on reaching Rome? It would seem he was anxious that no discredit should be laid against the Christian faith by his house-arrest.  Are you anxious always to commend the Christian faith by your life?
2. Verses 23-28. What was Paul’s message to the Jews at Rome? What reason does he give for the persistence of so many in unbelief? What reaction did he expect the Gentiles would show? Is this still the same today?
3. List the main facts with which Luke summarizes Paul’s ministry as a prisoner at Rome(verses 30, 31) Consider the influence Paul had during those years through people coming to him, and through letters he wrote to the churches he had visited.

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Search The Scriptures — Study 54 — Acts 28:1-16

Study 54 From The Book of Acts Is: Acts 28:1-16

1. The disastrous journey is almost ended. What opportunities of service and witness did Paul find in Malta? Have you found opportunities of service for Christ when things, seemingly, go wrong in your life?
2. ‘So we came to Rome’ (verse 14.) Cf. 19:21; 23:11; Rom. 1:13; 15:22, 23. This was the goal, but what can one learn from the fact that God had other ways for it to be achieved than Paul at first realized?

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Search The Scriptures — Study 53 — Acts 27:21-44

Study 53 From The Book of Acts Is: Acts 27:21-44

1. In the time of testing and danger that all on the ship went through, compare the reactions of Paul (verses 24, 25; 33-36) with the sailors (verses 30-32), and the soldiers (verses 42, 43). Why was Paul able to behave so calmly and inspire others with his example? Do you have inner resources that help you to stand in times like these?
2. Notice that the shipwreck was caused through not taking Paul’s advice.  See Study 52, Question 2. Is this a warning to you not to make shipwreck of your life through disobedience of some plain command of God (e.g., 2 Cor. 6:14 and Mt. 6:33)?

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