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Question: This question comes from the United Kingdom. What is the importance of the message of Amos for us today?

Answer: The theme of Amos is "Prepare to meet your God, Oh Israel!" (O America! O United Kingdom! etc.) Amos does not start denouncing Israel right away because he knew they would not listen, so he hits Israel's enemies first, and then gets closer and closer to Israel.

We probably don't want to hear that our nation is going to be judged, but it will be when its cup of sin is full. "But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." (Genesis 15: 16) Read 2 Peter 3: 1-9 for our day, where this prophecy ends with this verse 9. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." God has always told us what will happen in advance so we will know He is in control. (Look at the prophecy article.)

The Bible teaches that to those who are given much, much is required. Israel had been delivered from slavery in Egypt, they had the Word of God (Old Testament), and yet they still rebelled; therefore, their judgment is great. We have God's Word, Old and New Testament, and because we have been given much, much will be required. Remember, Israel is God's chosen nation, if God judged them first what do you think He did for those who were not His own that sinned? "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4: 17)

Look at their sins, and then compare them with what is happening today in America or United Kingdom. Think of the immorality, abortion, homosexuality, drunkenness and abuse, etc. we have. If only they would have repented God would have forgiven their sins and helped them! If we would repent, God would help us! "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14: 34) God warns us now, before it is too late, just as He did for Israel; however she did not listen. "But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream." (Amos 5:24) What about us?

Amos gave a sharp, pointed message to Israel and Judah about their idolatry. We have many false cults among us today that are destroying our nations. "Spiritualism" is a big one, along with Islam, and many, many others. Amos was not trained as one of the prophets, but was a farmer that God called to warn the nation. You don't have to have a lot of training to preach God's Word, look at the ones Jesus chose as His disciples, untrained fishermen, etc.

Israel and Judah were at the highest point in prosperity as nations and were very sophisticated, but this was not a sign of God's blessing spiritually. We can be rich as nations, but bankrupt spiritually! I hope this little study of Amos helps.

In Christian love,

Gary T. Panell

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Keywords: prophecy, prophet, Amos