1. Who did God call to deliver a prophetic message, and what were the names of the kings reigning at that time? Amos 1:1
2. Most of Amos’ concerns were with Israel or the northern kingdom after the split. Describe Jeroboam II and the state of Israel during his reign. 2 Kings 14:23-29
3. Amos was from Judah, the southern kingdom after the split. Describe Uzziah, also called Amaziah, and the condition of Judah during his reign. 2 Kings 15:1-7 2 Chronicles 26:1-23
4. What proclamation did Amos make about God? Amos 1:2
5. Amos was preparing the people for a challenging message from the Lord. He was a humble individual who was summoned to undertake a significant responsibility. How would you respond if God entrusted you with the task of delivering a particularly difficult message to church leaders, members of your community, or even your own family?
6. Although the majority of Amos’s discourse was directed towards various groups within Israel, his letter begins with passages addressed to neighboring nations. For many individuals, it is easier to deliver stern messages or warnings to external parties. If you were to communicate a message intended to assist those unfamiliar with God or outside the church, what would it be, and how might you convey this message in a manner that is accessible and considerate?
7. What was the message sent to Damascus, and what can we learn from it today? Amos 1:3-5
8. What message was conveyed to Gaza, and what can we determine from it today? Amos 1:6-8
9. What message did God send to Tyre, and what lessons can we take away from it today? Amos 1:9-10
10. What message was sent to Edom, and what can we discover from it today? Amos 1:11-12
11. What message was sent to the Ammonites, and what lessons can we learn from it today? Amos 1:13-15
JUST A THOUGHT
Amos starts his book by introducing himself and his hometown. He was a shepherd in Tekoa, which was located in Judah. This is significant because, at that time, there were two separate kingdoms: Judah in the south and Israel in the north. Most of his book focuses on Israel and the problems it faced because of its sins and betrayal. He doesn’t hold back, as he wasn’t born into the role of a prophet. Unlike the Levites, who were part of the priestly class, he was an ordinary man who worked with animals and dedicated his life to helping his family and serving others. Then, God called him to serve, and Amos responded. That’s the main point: while he was working, he answered the call.
There are too many instances where people suggest quitting your job or stopping work altogether so you can prepare for God’s calling. That’s not to say that if you’re genuinely preparing, such as wanting to be a minister, you should go to seminary. That’s still work because you’re gaining the knowledge and skills to fulfill God’s will. For others, the job God wants you to do might require education, apprenticeships, or other means to be effective. That’s all well and good. But for many, the work God has in mind might not actually require leaving your current job.
Amos didn’t have to stop being a shepherd until the right time came. He didn’t leave his post, stay idle at the family home, and then start the work God called him to do. Instead, he was a man who showed his ability to work hard and his determination to achieve his goals. Often, it seems like the idea is to show faith by doing something extraordinary for God. Typically, that means quitting your job as a sign that you trust He’ll provide, which is a great idea, as long as God is the one who came up with it.
Almost every character in the Bible who was called to serve the Lord was actually working at the time they received their assignment. Moses was tending sheep, a job he held for forty years, when he experienced the burning bush encounter with God. Think about whether he had decided to quit after three or ten years because the work was difficult. He might have missed the calling, and we might be talking about a different person, not Moses. David was watching over his sheep when he was summoned to meet Samuel. Elisha was in the field when Elijah came and called him to serve the Lord. Several disciples were in their fishing boats working when Jesus called them to follow. Matthew, also known as Levi, was working as a tax collector when he was chosen to be a disciple. Even Saul, who later became Paul, was on duty when Jesus spoke to him personally on the road to Damascus. There are many examples of people who didn’t quit and wait. Instead, they were all working their regular jobs when the Lord called them.
This is said to ensure you’re working and doing things according to God’s terms. It makes an interesting story when someone can suddenly leave their job to show faith in God. That’s admirable. However, it doesn’t demonstrate to the Lord that you are committed to working out what He has called you to do. All of those individuals mentioned earlier served God until they were physically unable to do so. The Lord could rely on them to follow through when given a mission, plan, or call to action because they had a strong work ethic.
Imagine if you are running a business, a ministry, or something that matters to you. Would you hire the person who will leave and wait, or a person who shows they can be trusted with work? If we, as humans, prefer someone who is focused on completing business, then why wouldn’t God be any different?
When you are planning to serve the Lord, approach Him with two simultaneous requests. First, ask to understand what God wants you to do, focusing on the big picture. He might not reveal everything, and that’s okay. However, He will likely give you what you need to take the next steps toward fulfilling His will. Some requirements for your task may involve training, studying, practice, or learning more about what you were created to accomplish. The second question to ask is, “What can I do right now?”
We often like to wait for something big or exciting to lead us into our next phase in life. That’s great, and honestly, we should all dream and live with that in mind. However, there might be something that the Lord is asking you to do right now. For some, it could be leaving your career to gain the training and knowledge needed for what He has called you to become. For others, He may want you to stay where you are so that you can utilize the resources available to become the person God desires. And for some, there may be small, seemingly insignificant tasks that you believe God wants you to accomplish because they serve as training for your next phase in life.
Looking back at Moses, we see that he was a shepherd for forty years. This taught him patience and calmness while handling a stubborn animal. This experience was valuable because for many years afterward, he had to lead a group of people who constantly complained and whined about their living conditions, often causing problems in the camp. If Moses hadn’t received this training, he might not have had the patience to deal with people whose main goal was to irritate him.
There might be something you’re doing right now that God is using to prepare you for the next part of your ministry and purpose. However, if you ignore the work, time, and effort involved, you may never truly be ready to serve the Lord. Don’t listen to those who don’t know your relationship with Jesus. They can tell you a lot because it sounds great and exciting. But focus on what God wants you to do now and in the future. He has a plan that is specific and tailored to your mindset, skills, and abilities. All you need to do is work.
