Bible I Introduction

Exegesis
Amos 3:1-15
Student: Jurandir Pereira

Resources to use:
1. BBC pages 90-92
2. The Bible Knowledge Commentary pages 1425, 1432-1436
3. The Bible Commentary Series pages 40-50
4. SB- Study Bible- Portuguese Version page 987

1. Who is the author?

BBC- Amos page 76
The book was written by Amos and takes the name of prophet. Amos was
a herdman; moreover, he also was occupied in growing sycamore fruit, born
in Tekoa, in Juda, six miles south of Jerusalem. Tekoa means a camping
ground. His ministry was two years before the earthquake (1:1; Zech.
14:15). Amos is the third of the Minor Prophets in the canon, but according to
the chronology, he is the first of the writing prophets. He preached against
the corrupt spirituality of Israel.
2. Who is author`s audience?
SB-Portuguese Version- Amoss message was mainly to the Northern
Kingdom and the nations around Israel.
3. When was this prophecy written?
BKC-This was possibly around 762 B.C
SB-PV- between 760 753 B.C.
BCS- Amo`s prophesy ministry took place during the reigns of Jeroboam II,
King of Judah.
4. Where was this prophecy written?
SB-PV- Around Jerusalem
1

5. Where did the events take place the author is writing about?
BKC- To an arrogant and religious people who lived a hypocrite life in the
Northern Kingdom of Israel.
6. Why was this prophecy written?
It was written because of the exposition of sin of a privileged people who
became an arrogant people, which the privileges brought enormous
responsibility that was not responded. The nation of Israel was corrupted in
iniquity: negligence with the Word of God, idolatry, oppression to the poor
people, and vanity. Israel and others nations were about to be seriously
judged for their sins.
7. Why is this prophecy important?
This prophecy is important because Amos` message is about the coming
punishment, but also for the future restauration of Israel. The word gave to
Amos was primarily of judgment, and ended with word of hope.

I- Introduction
This chapter 4 will talk about the punishment that God brought to Israel in
the past because of their iniquity. The message of Amos is about the
punishment that the people of Israel was about to suffer and the restauration
that would be provided. It is similarly to the themes of many other prophets.
That is a predominant fact that provoked his message against the national
sin; message of condemnation and restauration in most cases. Amos saw the
sin of people related to huge privileges given to the people of Israel. The
privilege brought responsibility that was not recognized by them, it caused
their punishment. Israel` people were not living with dignity under God`s
ordinances; this rebellion appealed God`s judgment.

II- Exegesis
Amos 4:1-13
Israel punished in the past for sin.
Vs. 1/3 The sin of wealthy women of Samaria. Allegorically, Amos refers
the cows of Bashan to explain the position that lived the women of Samaria.
Bashan is territory in the east of the Jordan River between the mountains of
Gilliard in the south, and Mount Hermon in the north. The cows of Bashan
were known for their fine quality, were strong and sleek in appearance
2

because of the lush grazing lands, (Through the Bible Commentaries, page
51). Cow is a feminine word; the cows of Bashan is a metaphor that refers
to the well-to-do women of Samaria. Some scholars believe that Amos was
referring to the women who were living in luxury, well fed, well dressed, well
groomed. The poor was not assisted by this class of women that put
oppression on the poor, exploiting them to raise money and expend that at
futility and luxury, moreover, the women were governing their husbands,
actually, husbands refers more to someone who are rulers rather than
husbands. These rulers whose the money was obtained and expended
unjustly.
In addition, these they would be hooked, means the cruelty how the
conquers dragged their slaveries out of the land. Moreover, ye shall be cast
into Harmon: Harmon would then be the name of the place of exile, or
disgrace, as Jeremiah 22:19, people were punished in exile because their sin,
(http://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/amos/4.htm).
Vs. 4/5 Come to Bethel. Amos, ironically, invites the people to come to bethel and bring their tithes and
sacrifices. Bethel is the popular religious center; also, it has politic power. Amos says, come to Bethel
and Gilgal and multiply your transgressions. Gilgal means circle, or to roll along. His satire is because
he knows that Israel`s performance of worship but the heart of people was empty. The sacrifice of animals
was common as shown in Lev. 3-5. Although in Bethel, the religious ceremony was corrupted. The
sacrifices were offerings in which an animal was brutally murdered, and ate as part of a sacred meal (1
Samuel 1:3-5). Tithes of produce were set aside every three years in order to help the poor Deut. 14:2829. Amos uses the sarcasm because he knows that these ceremonies used to impress others, except
God. Most of produce they tithed came from stolen land, exploitation of poor; and some animals they
sacrificed had been fattened on unjustly seized fields. Announce their offerings were had like a pleasure,
and it was a selfish attitude, Zach. 7:5-6; Matt 6:02. This attitude was rebellion and offended God. The
hypocrite people are now targeted by the God`s judgment.
Vs. 6-13 The narrative in these chapters shows how God is lovely and merciful doing many attempts to
make the Israelites to return to the covenant, although, having severe charges, the Israelites did not want
to bow down and return to the way of justice. Five times the Lord ended saying, Yet you have not
returned to Me.
Vs. 6 - God pronounced hungry in their lands, But I gave you also cleanness of teeth in all your cities
and lack of bread in all your places, yet you have not returned to Me, declares the Lord. I means they
would not have what to eat, the famine was a form to punish Israel`s people. In addition, God
demonstrated His sovereign power, once again, showing He controls everything.
Vs. 7/8 - God sent a severe drought doing people to travel from their cities to seek water in other places.
The drought symbolized a dried heart and lack of obedience to God.
Vs. 9 - Even with the destruction of the vineyards and locusts devoured the leaves of the fig and olive
trees, the heart of people did not know the repentance. The arrogance was stronger than the
humbleness.
Vs, 10 - God sent the plagues as strong as he did in Egypt, devoured all plantations, terrible scenery of
calamity. In addition, murdered by sword their young men in the war and did them smell the stink of the
camps, it is related to the dead bodies from the diseases and from the war.
Vs. 11 - The picture of Sodom and Gomora presents a severe punishment against the Israel`s people,
even so, having their heavy judgment alike these two cities. Both Sodom and Gomora were destroyed

because of their perversity and immorality. They are synonymous of wickedness. their hearts abandoned
God.
Vs. 12- Prepare to you God, Oh Israel. Israel was irreversible no pay attention to the voice of their God.
The message here is very personal and brings a picture that Israel provoked God in a disrespectable way.
Of course, Israel should be prepared for this day to meet their God to avoid a catastrophe.
Vs. 13 Amos declares that God is Almighty and His sovereign is incomparable. He is the only one who
can control the human being and has power to change the any situation. He formed the mountains and
created the mountains, and declare any man`s thought. The power of God is mentioned because Israel
should remind what God had done for them since they were put free from Egypt operating miracles with
supernatural power. Today Israel has a minority of people following the divine Law of God, still threatened
by strong enemies. Furthermore, there are many children of Israel living out of Promised Land, adoring
other gods and provoking God.