The purpose of this lesson: To provide some background of the people to whom the message of Amos was sent and to provide some background on the study of the book of Amos.
King David, the second King of Israel, ruled well. Though he made some personal mistakes, there was never a question that he belonged to God. When he became aware of his mistakes, he accepted personal responsibility for the mistakes (rather than resorting to self-justification), and repented. He ruled over a United Kingdom composed of twelve tribes known as Israel.
King David made some horrible mistakes that produced consequences. However, David had resolved (on his most basic level) that he would belong to God no matter what. David made mistakes, but he accepted personal responsibility when he made mistakes (upon realizing his mistakes) and repented.
It is insightful to note that David was more dependent on God before his rule as he ran from Saul than when he was King. His worst personal mistakes were made when he had physical success.
King Solomon was Israels third king. He began his rule in wonderful fashion with God at the center of what he did. Under his early rule, the United Kingdom (the twelve tribes) was prosperous as Solomon expanded the kingdoms territory and influence.
A wonderful, faith-filled beginning does not guarantee a righteous, faith-filled conclusion. We always remain creatures of choice, creatures who can be tempted.
Often Solomons expansions were made by treaties. Then treaties among kingdoms were often sealed by the intermarriage of the royal families of the kingdoms. In his success, Solomon accumulated a number of idolatrous wives. Due to the influence of these wives on Solomon, the older Solomon adopted their idolatrous gods (1 Kings 11:3, 4).
In Solomons time (and long before and after) agreements between two royal families in two kingdoms could involve a marriage between the two families. The seeming rationale: violation of a treaty was less likely if it might result in the suffering (or death) of a family member.
Though God wondrously blessed Solomon, the time came when his wives had more influence over him than did God.
Jehovah God was furious at Solomon for turning to idolatrous gods (1 Kings 11:9-11). He had abundantly blessed Solomon. He told Solomon of His fury. (Read I Kings 11:1-13.) As a consequence of Solomons idolatrous behavior, Solomons son would not rule a United Kingdom of twelve tribes when Solomon died.
Evil is the opposite of God and a powerful enemy of God. For people (Gods creation) to yield to evil is a grave insult to God. Though Solomon was powerfully blessed by God, he still could turn to other gods. Note that yielding to evil produces consequences.
Ten of the tribes were given by God to Jeroboam. In fact, God promised to bless Jeroboam in the same manner He blessed King David if Jeroboam would follow God with King Davids loyalty and obedience (I Kings 11:28-38). However, when Jeroboam became king he feared that he would be deserted by his tribes if these people returned to Jerusalem to worship at the Jewish temple (I Kings 12:26-29). In that fear, he made two worship centers in his territory (Dan and Bethel), made a golden calf for each, and announced they were Israels gods (the ten tribes) that brought them from Egypt.
Because of Solomons evil, his son (Rehoboam) lost 10 of the 12 tribes when he came to rule after Solomon died.
God would have blessed Jeroboam as He blessed David if Jeroboam committed himself to God as did David.
Personal fear is the enemy of faith in God. Fear can cause one to deny Gods acts!
King Jeroboams decisions began a rule in the breakaway ten tribes (known as Israel) that lasted for just over two hundred years. In these tribes during this period: (a) idolatry was the official religion [though Jehovah God was often included in the gods they worshipped], (b) there was never a reform king or a period of national repentance, and (c) this kingdom maintained its distinction from the Kingdom of Judah. Judah was at times a cooperative neighbor, at times simply there, but was often an enemy.
When people make ungodly choices, their ungodly choices continue to influence lives long after they are dead.
Though Jeroboam did not begin a ruling dynasty (no ruler of the ten tribes produced a perpetual dynasty), he did begin an ungodly influence that refused to die.
Amos was sent by God to prophesy to these people near the end of the two-hundred year period. Though that kingdom was quite successful during Amos time by a physical standard, Amos declared the kingdom to be a horrible failure because of the ungodly behavior of the people.
Physical success never proves spiritual success.
God warned, but the people refused to listen.
People can pass a point of no returnrepentance certainly can bless, but consequences certainly will happen. Repentance does not occur as a way to avoid consequences.
Amos was sent to tell the people of Israel that they would endure the consequences of their behavior. Though by all the physical standards around thema king who had served as king for years, seeming stability, an age of prosperity, and a luxurious lifestyledeclared success, Amos declared things were miserable and the unthinkable was unavoidable.
When we make ungodly choices, we will endure the consequences of our decisions.
Again, physical success does not declare spiritual success.
God had issued numerous calls to repentance, and none of those calls were noted or heeded. The time of responding was past. The full consequences of ungodly behavior would now occur. The blessings of repentance were possible, but the consequences of their continued behavior were a certainty.
We need to note and heed Gods warnings. The failure to hear God because we ignorantly do not know God still produces the consequences of ungodly choices.
Consequences are not always immediate.
Amos message/writing is sobering for numerous reasons. (a) Amos pronounced some serious, major consequences in a society in a period of major accomplishments, major expansion, and major prosperity. Though the period by physical standards was outstanding and significant, Jeroboam II hardly receives anything more than a mention in the biblical record. What to people would be an astounding time under a truly successful king was absolutely unimpressive to God because it was a period of ungodliness.
Peoples circumstances and situations change. But human greed, selfishness, deafness to poverty and injustice, and love of the material never changes. Peoples basic weakness and love of the physical never changethose weaknesses and that love exist in every generation.
(b) It was a period of significant ungodliness because it was a period of injustice that exploited the poor. People were more concerned about their standard of living than they were about the suffering and struggles of other people.
Ones standard of living is not the meaningful proof of his or her success. Peoples treatment of people is the ultimate measure.
(c) Many thought they could obtain Gods blessings (or at least His silence) by performing what they regarded as basic rituals rather than having the kind of faith that trusted God. Their approach to godliness was to pacify God rather then to serve Him. Obedience to God was a matter of perfunctory rituals, not a matter of faith in the One Who is the Source of Blessings.
God cannot be pacified or controlled. God is served.
It is easier to tip ones hat to God than it is to actually belong to Him. Ungodliness is ungodliness in spite of human definitions and priorities.
We do not declare or determine what is ungodly. We learn what is ungodly and why it is ungodly.
For Thought and Discussion
1. Summarize King Davids rule over the United Kingdom.
It basically was a good rule. Though David made some (serious) personal mistakes, he unquestionably belonged to God. He accepted responsibility for his mistakes rather than resorting to self-justification, and he repented. For the United Kingdom, it was a time of expansion, stabilization, and prosperity.
2. Summarize King Solomons rule over the United Kingdom.
It began with God at the center of what Solomon did. It ended with an older Solomon adopting the idolatrous gods of his wives.
3. Explain how his treaties contributed to Solomons departure from God.
It was not unusual then for a treaty between kingdoms to be sealed with an intermarriage within the royal families. (The thought was this: if a member of one family is a part of the other family, the treaty will be taken seriously because failure to honor the treaty could bring harm to the royal family.)
4. How did God react to Solomons idolatrous practices?
God was angered by Solomons idolatrous practices and warned Solomon not to continue them.
5. To whom (after Solomons death) was leadership over ten tribes given?
Leadership over 10 tribes was given to Jeroboam.
6. Because of personal fear, Jeroboam did what?
He established worship centers in his kingdoms territory at Dan and Bethel, he made golden calves for each, he said the calves delivered Israel from Egypt, and he told the people they did not need to go to Jerusalem.
7. What was Jeroboams fear?
Hew feared that if his kingdom went to Jerusalem to worship, the people would return to Rehoboam, his kingdom would be dissolved, and he would be killed.
8. What three things began in these ten tribes with Jeroboams rule?
9. When did God send Amos to prophesy to these people?
God sent Amos near the end of the two-hundred year period during the rule of Jeroboam II.
10. Physically, how would that kingdom look to people? Why?
To people, the kingdom would look quite successful. The king had ruled for a long time. The situation seemed stable. It was a time of prosperity. Important people had luxurious lifestyles.
11. How did that kingdom look to God? Why?
To God, the kingdom was a failure. There was much injustice, and the poor were exploited. Ungodliness made the kingdom a failure to God.
12. Give three reasons for us to look at Amos message/writing as sobering.
13. Ungodliness is ungodliness in spite of what?
Ungodliness is ungodliness in spite of human definitions and priorities.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 1