Chapter 7

The Man of God in Times of Judgment

1. A VISION OF GRASSHOPPERS (Amos 7:1-3 [1] Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings. [2] And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. [3] The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.
   See All...)
1. The Judgment of God (Amos 7:1-2 [1] Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings. [2] And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.
   See All...)
1. The Lord formed grasshoppers (Amos 7:1Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings.
   See All...).
1. In the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth
2. The latter growth was after the king’s mowings.
3. A king’s daily portion can be seen in 1 Kings 4:20-24 [20] Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry. [21] And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. [22] And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, [23] Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl. [24] For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
   See All....
2. The grasshoppers ate the grass of the land (Amos 7:2And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.
   See All...).
3. This would have greatly reduced their food supply.
2. The Intercession of Amos (Amos 7:2And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.
   See All...)
1. Amos pleads for forgiveness.
2. Amos pleads because of the weakness of Israel.
3. The Repentance of God (Amos 7:3The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.
   See All...)
1. The Lord hears the plea of Amos and reverses His decision.
2. The Lord is not saying, “It never shall be,” but that right now, “It shall not be.”
3. This is a good location to demonstrate that repentance does not always mean turning from sin unto righteousness.
2. A VISION OF FIRE (Amos 7:4-6 [4] Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part. [5] Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. [6] The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.
   See All...)
1. The Judgment of God (Amos 7:4Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part.
   See All...)
1. The Lord called to contend by fire.
2. The fire devoured the great deep and did eat up a part.
3. Though some teach that this is the water above the atmosphere, it is almost certainly connected here with the bodies of water on the earth.
4. This would have greatly reduced their water supply.
2. The Intercession of Amos (Amos 7:5Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.
   See All...)
1. Amos pleads for the Lord to stop.
2. Amos pleads because of the weakness of Israel.
3. The Repentance of God (Amos 7:6The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.
   See All...)
1. The Lord hears the plea of Amos and reverses His decision.
2. The Lord is not saying, “It never shall be,” but that right now, it “shall not be.”
3. A VISION OF A PLUMBLINE (Amos 7:7-9 [7] Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the LORD stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. [8] And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: [9] And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
   See All...)
1. The Judgment of God (Amos 7:7-9 [7] Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the LORD stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. [8] And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: [9] And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
   See All...)
1. The wall and the plumbline (Amos 7:7Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the LORD stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.
   See All...)
1. The Lord stood upon the wall.
1. A plumbline is used from the top to the bottom.
2. The Lord standing on the wall demonstrates that He is going to check the wall for straightness.
2. The wall had been made by a plumbline.
1. When this wall was created it was created using a plumbline.
2. This means that in its creation it was perfect.
3. The Lord had a plumbline in His hand to check the condition of the wall.
2. The judgment of the plumbline (Amos 7:8-9 [8] And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: [9] And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
   See All...)
1. A plumbline will be set in the midst of the people (Amos 7:8And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:
   See All...).
2. The Lord will not pass by them any more (Amos 7:8And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:
   See All...).
3. The high places of Isaac shall be desolate (Amos 7:9And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
   See All...).
4. The sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste (Amos 7:9And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
   See All...).
5. The Lord will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword (Amos 7:9And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
   See All...).
2. No Intercession by Amos
1. The first two times the Lord shows judgment to Amos, he immediately begins to intercede for the people.
2. This time, for whatever reason, Amos does not go to God on behalf of the people.
3. Perhaps the interruption of Amaziah refrained the intercession of Amos.
3. No Repentance by God
1. The first two times the Lord changes His mind based on the intercession of Amos.
2. This time we read nothing of God repenting, which leads us to believe that it is a done deal.
4. TROUBLE FROM AMAZIAH (Amos 7:10-13 [10] Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words. [11] For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land. [12] Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: [13] But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court.
   See All...)
1. Amaziah Stirs Up the King (Amos 7:10-11 [10] Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words. [11] For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land.
   See All...).
1. Amaziah sent a message to Jeroboam (Amos 7:10Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.
   See All...).
2. Amaziah tells Jeroboam that Amos has conspired against him (Amos 7:10Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.
   See All...).
3. Amaziah tells Jeroboam of Amos’s words (Amos 7:11For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land.
   See All...).
1. Jeroboam shall die by the sword.
2. Israel shall be led away captive out of their own land.
4. This has always been one of the first steps to silence the truth of God’s word.
1. Haman took this step in order to get rid of Mordecai (Esther 3:8-10 [8] And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. [9] If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. [10] And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
   See All...).
2. This was a step to get rid of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:1-13 [1] Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. [2] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. [3] Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. [4] Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, [5] That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: [6] And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. [7] Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. [8] Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. [9] They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. [10] Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: [11] And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. [12] There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. [13] Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
   See All...).
3. This was a step to get rid of Daniel (Daniel 6:1-10 [1] It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; [2] And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. [3] Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. [4] Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. [5] Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. [6] Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. [7] All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. [8] Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. [9] Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. [10] Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
   See All...).
4. This was a step used by the religious leaders to get rid of Christ (Matthew 27:11-13 [11] And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. [12] And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. [13] Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
   See All...).
5. This was a step used to get rid of Paul (Acts 26:1-3 [1] Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: [2] I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: [3] Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
   See All...).
6. This is a method employed by Satan before the presence of God (Revelation 12:10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
   See All...).
7. Should it surprise us if this is the method employed to try to silence the truth in our day? (Matthew 10:16-21 [16] Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. [17] But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; [18] And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. [19] But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. [20] For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. [21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
   See All...)
2. Amaziah Stands against Amos (Amos 7:12-13 [12] Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: [13] But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court.
   See All...).
1. Amaziah tries to send Amos packing (Amos 7:12Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:
   See All...).
1. Amaziah tells Amos to go to the land of Judah.
2. Amaziah tells Amos to make a living and prophesy in Judah.
2. Amaziah threatens Amos about prophesying (Amos 7:13But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court.
   See All...).
1. Amos is not to prophesy anymore at Bethel.
2. Bethel is the king’s chapel and the king’s court.
5. THE BOLDNESS OF AMOS (Amos 7:14-17 [14] Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: [15] And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. [16] Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac. [17] Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.
   See All...)
1. The Assurance of Amos’s Call (Amos 7:14-15 [14] Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: [15] And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
   See All...)
1. Amos’s past (Amos 7:14Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:
   See All...)
1. He was not
1. A prophet
2. The son of a prophet
2. He was
1. A herdman
2. A gatherer of sycamore fruit
2. Amos’s call (Amos 7:15And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
   See All...)
1. The Lord took me as I followed the flock.
2. The Lord said unto me, Go.
3. The Lord said unto me, prophesy unto my people Israel.
2. The Fulfillment of Amos’s Call (Amos 7:16-17 [16] Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac. [17] Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.
   See All...)
1. The words of Amos (Amos 7:16Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac.
   See All...)
1. Hear the word of the Lord.
2. Hear it now.
2. The words of Amaziah (Amos 7:16Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac.
   See All...)
1. Prophesy not against Israel.
2. Drop not thy word against the house of Isaac.
3. The words of God (Amos 7:17Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.
   See All...)
1. Therefore signifies that God’s words are based on Amaziah’s words.
2. Against the family of Amaziah
1. Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city.
2. Thy sons and daughters shall fall by the sword.
3. Against the land
1. The land shall be divided.
2. The land shall be polluted.
4. Against Amaziah – “thou shalt die.”
5. Against Israel – “Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.”