AMOS: Prophet of Justice and Righteousness - Outline

The Title                                                                                       (1:1)
     Identification of Amos ("burdened bearer") and
             location in Israel's history (Pre-Exile, 760-753 B.C.)
     The Voiced of Yahweh (God)                                                 (1:2)

I.  Oracles Against the Nations (Circular Condemnation)           (1:2)
          A.  Prophecies against neighboring states                          (1:3-2:3)
                     Syria (Damascus)  Phoenicia (Tyre)  Ammon
                     Philistia (Gaza)      Edom                   Moab
          B.  Prophecies against Judah and Israel                              (2:4-16)

II. Judgment Against Israel                                                           (3-6)
         A.  "Your election does not absolve you from guilt."          (3:1-2)
         B.  "Judgment part of the Covenant."                                   (3:1-18)
         C.   Sins of Israel and their rewards.                                     (3:9-4:5)
                    "Perverted Righteousness" and "Playing Religion."   
         D.   Yahweh's repeated warnings have fallen on deaf ears.  (4:6-11)
         E.    The way of escape.                                                        (5:4-17)
         F.    "Day of the Lord -- Not what you expect!"                   (5:18-20)
        G.     "Playing at Religion -- nauseating worship."                (5:21-26)
        H.      Final Rewards -- luxurious living condemned.            (5:27-6:24)

III. Five Visions of Coming Judgment                                           (7:1-9:10)
                        -- Brief biographical note.                                       (7:10-17)
        A.  Locust swarm                                                                    (7:1-3)
        B.  Divine fire                                                                          (7:4-6)
        C.  Plumb Line                                                                        (7:7-9)
        D.  Basket of summer fruit                                                       (8:1-3)
                        ("Hear this" -- against wealthy merchants.)             (8:4-14)
        E.  Stricken Temple                                                                  (9:1-4)

IV. Promise of Restoration and Prosperity                                      (9:11-15)
                        "Never to be rooted out ..."

V.  Key word for Amos is Plumb Line to remember theme.

VI. Verse to memorize:  Amos 5:24 (New International Version)
                        "Let justice roll on like a river,
                          righteousness like a never-failing stream."