Explanation: Beginning in Amos 7, and continuing to the end of the book in chapter 9, Amos recounts a series of visions and their explanations. In this chapter he sees a vision of grasshoppers, of fire, and of a plumbline. The grasshoppers threaten to destroy "the latter growth after the kings mowings" (probably a term for the second crop of hay). The fire threatens to destroy a vast number of people symbolized by the great deep (an ocean such as the Mediterranean Sea - Psalms 107:23-31; Genesis 1:2; Job 41:31-32; Isaiah 51:10, 2 Corinthians 11:25, or the subterranean waters - Genesis 7:11; Genesis 8:2; Genesis 49:25; Deuteronomy 8:7; Ezekiel 31:4). And the plumbline symbolizes the fact that Israel is tottering out of spiritual balance and will fall. The first two threats are removed by prayers of intercession by Amos. But the third would come. In defiant response, King Jeroboam II and Amaziah the priest of Bethel tell Amos to desist and return to Judah. Amos tells them that it was the LORD, not some impulse from his own mind or heart, which took him from his herdsman and agricultural duties and sent him to prophesy even though he was 'not a prophet or the son of a prophet' (v. 14). He then tells Jeroboam that he will die by the sword and Israel will go into captivity. As for Amaziah, he will go into captivity and die there, and his wife will become a harlot.

     Sermons: Stuart Olyott. James Philip. William Still.


     THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: JUDAH: Athaliah (841-835 BC) -- 2 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 22-23; Joash (Jehoash) (835-796 BC) -- 2 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 24. ISRAEL: Jehu (841-814 BC) -- 2 Kings 9-10; 2 Chronicles 22:8-10; Hosea 1:4-5].

          [ CROSS REFERENCES FOR THE WHOLE BIBLE ]:

               For extensive lists of Cross references See the following sites:

                    Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - Bible Hub (all Cross References are written out in full)
                    Open Bible Cross References - Open Bible (all Cross References are written out in full)

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Micha'el Ben David. Sons of Korah. Fernando Ortega. Janet Isaac Morrison. Music of the Bible Revealed - Suzanne Haik-Vantoura. Dr. David Erb. Gregorian Chants. ]