For Group Discussion of Joel Why is repentance the first step before conversion? In your discussion of this question, include Matthew 3:1-2; 4:17, Mark 1:15, and Acts 2:38. The prophet Amos warned that God’s judgment (“for three transgressions . . . and for four”) was about to fall on Israel and on nearby nations, including Judah. Chapters 1 and 2, mention a total of eight nations, including Judah that would experience God’s judgment. This judgment came on Israel at the hands of the Assyrians, around 750 B.C. Main Idea: Amos wrote to call the northern kingdom of Israel to repent and return to God. The Narrative of Amos Let’s start with Amos himself. Who was he? He says in 1:1 that he was a shepherd—an ordinary person whom God called to speak His message against Israel. This message begins in 1:2—2:3 with pronouncements of God’s coming judgment on Israel’s neighbors. Israel could probably handle that—after all, it was not a judgment on them, but only on their neighbors. But this is followed in 2:4-5 by a pronouncement of God’s coming judgment on the southern kingdom of Judah. Here again, they might have been able to handle that. After all, Israel was frequently at war with their brethren to the south. But beginning at Amos 2:6 and through 9:10, the prophet prophesies against them—the northern kingdom of Israel!
For Group Discussion of Joel Why is repentance the first step before conversion? In your discussion of this question, include Matthew 3:1-2; 4:17, Mark 1:15, and Acts 2:38. The prophet Amos warned that God’s judgment (“for three transgressions . . . and for four”) was about to fall on Israel and on nearby nations, including Judah. Chapters 1 and 2, mention a total of eight nations, including Judah that would experience God’s judgment. This judgment came on Israel at the hands of the Assyrians, around 750 B.C. Main Idea: Amos wrote to call the northern kingdom of Israel to repent and return to God. The Narrative of Amos Let’s start with Amos himself. Who was he? He says in 1:1 that he was a shepherd—an ordinary person whom God called to speak His message against Israel. This message begins in 1:2—2:3 with pronouncements of God’s coming judgment on Israel’s neighbors. Israel could probably handle that—after all, it was not a judgment on them, but only on their neighbors. But this is followed in 2:4-5 by a pronouncement of God’s coming judgment on the southern kingdom of Judah. Here again, they might have been able to handle that. After all, Israel was frequently at war with their brethren to the south. But beginning at Amos 2:6 and through 9:10, the prophet prophesies against them—the northern kingdom of Israel!
a-survey-of-the-old-testament.docx