Few happenings distress us as much as (1) doing something thoughtful and significant for someone in dire need, and (2) the one in need receiving the kindness without being appreciative.
This distress did not arise from the arrogance of an insecure benefactor who must have another’s uttered praise in order to feel a sense of significance. Instead, it arises from the crushed spirit of a benefactor who cares deeply. This benefactor mourns because the helped does not know he was helped. The helped feels no appreciation because he is unaware of his needs. The helped seems to be “without a clue” as to what life would be without the benefactor’s help.
Amos did not depict an insecure, arrogant God who needed human praise. Amos depicted a grieved God mourning because Israel was “without a clue” of the many helps God provided them. The behavior of the helped became intolerable to the God Who helped.
Much of Amos’ message to Israel could be summarized in this statement: “He who in his need received help should show compassion to others in need.”
The Amorite people had a lengthy history in the area that dated all the way back to Abraham’s times. In their early days they were a nomadic people who lived in the area Israel was to later inhabit. Numbers 21:21-32 spoke of a time when Israel was wandering in the wilderness, and they (Israel) asked the Amorites for permission to peacefully, nondestructively pass through their territory. The Amorites refused that right to Israel, and a battle ensued. The end result was that Israel defeated these strong, now settled people, and Israel took the Amorite cities in the conquered area for their own. These were the places across the Jordan that were settled by Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh. Though the men of these tribes settled their families in this area, they were a part of Israel’s army that conquered the area east of the Jordan River (see Numbers 32).
Amos cited five occasions when God was unquestionably helpful to the Kingdom of Israel. (These are not the only times God was with them.) The five occasions Amos cites are: (1) the defeat of the Amorites; (2) the deliverance from Egypt; (3) caring for them in the experience of the wilderness wanderings for forty years; (4) the conquest of the land they inhabit; and (5) the use of their sons as prophets and Nazarites.
Note that we might summarize what Amos emphasized concerning God’s help in this way: “You exist, you are what you are, and you have what you have because of what I did for you.” Without God’s help, they would not even exist.
Whereas God had helped them at critical moments, they resisted God’s influence. God made their sons prophets (which was considered honorable in a society based on religion), but they would not permit their sons to prophesy things they did not wish to hear. Consider 2 Chronicles 18:1-27. In devotion to God, some of their sons took the Nazarite vow (which forbade drinking during the course of the vow), and they encouraged those under the Nazarite vow to drink. To read about the conditions of the Nazarite vow, read Numbers 6:1-21. It basically was an optional vow of individuals who (for a period of time) devoted themselves to the Lord by separating themselves from typical existence. Amos’ point is this: “When people among you devote themselves to the Lord, you resist such devotion.”
To illustrate the depth of God’s frustration, Amos used several images. He basically said two things: (1) “You are too burdensome for the Lord to endure. (2) Escape from God’s frustration with you is impossible.”
Image #1
“I am exhausted trying to bear you—you are like a loaded wagon bringing in the bound sheaves at harvest.” At harvest, people made sure a wagon was fully loaded with the bound sheaves—they did not wish to make any unnecessary hauls. The heavy wagon would settle down in the soft soil, and the wagon would be difficult to pull. The point: “You are too heavy a load for Me to pull!”
Image #2
Israel’s consequences are certain.
Those images are frightening! Though Israel was prosperous and the situation seemed stable, an inescapable danger was coming from which there was no escape and no deliverance. The ultimate consequence must be faced!
For Thought and Discussion
1. Few happenings distress us as much as what?
2. The distress does not arise from what? Instead, it arises from what?
3. Why does the benefactor mourn? Why is the helped unappreciative?
4. Much of Amos’ message to Israel could be summarized in what statement?
5. What does Numbers 21:21-32 speak of? Who eventually settled there?
6. What were the five occasions Amos cited when God unquestionably helped Israel?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
7. What statement summarizes Amos’ emphasis?
8. How did Israel resist God’s influence?
9. How did Amos illustrate the depth of God’s frustration? Give Amos’ five images.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
10. Why are those images frightening?
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 4