The Penn's Grove record., 1891-04-24
LESSON

lRrERvENINa EVENTS. -Jeroboam Ii,
was still king of Israel when Amos
prophesied, but Uzziah (Azariahi had
succeeded Amaziah - king of Israel
1t is possible, therefore, that Jonah was
still living when Amos came into Israel.
The earthquake referred to in Amos
! i, according to Josephus, occurred
when Uzziah became Q leper q Kings
10 b, as a punishment for his attempt
to burn incense in the temple "a Chron.
20 /: 1920. Reference 10 made to this
earthquake in Zechariah IA : 3; but ita
exact relative position in the reign OF
Uzziah cannot be Determined. The
main point to be noticed 10 that Israel
under Jeroboam IL was externally very
prosperous q Kings IA 25, 28), and
that Judah also had made conquests
under Uzziah "a Uhron. 26 : 5-16l. II
was during this period Of success that
Amos uttered his prophecies.
The book itself tells 10 that Amos
was a her dsman of Tekoa fAmos L: ~;
not q regular prophet, nor .tone Of the
sons OF the prophets" (Amos Z IA,
l5). The language Of his prophecies
agrees with this account of his early
history. He. was divinely called to go
to Bethel in the northern kingdom,
and prophesy against Israel. While
there, his u~tterances aroused the enm-
ity Of Amaziah, the priest in charge OF
the idolatrous worship there. Amaziah
accused him to Jeroboam Of stirring
up sedition, and babe the prophet re-
turn to Judah. The answer was q pre-
diction of Judgment upon Ama1iah,
Jeroboam, and Israel It seems prob
able, however, that Amos did return to
Tekoa, and the prophecy may have
been put into writing after this return.
The book opens with description Of
the prophet amos 1:l), and of the
character of the prophecy (Amos ! p.
The judgments upon the neighboring
nations are first announced, but neither
Judah nor Israel will escape, though
tho threatenings against Israel are most
severe (Amos l 3 to2 :16). The main
division OF the prophecy (Amos 8 ! to
6 Ia consists Of . particular rebuke
Of the sins of Israel, Of which the les
son forms a striking example.
PIAcEs.-Tekoa, the home Of Amos,
9 small town in Judah, Eve miles
south of Bethlehem, twelve miles from
Jerusalem (now called Tekua). It 10
mentioned several times in the Old
Testament, and gave the name to .
wilderness on the borders of which il
was situated. The Tomb of Amos was
pointed out there in the time of Jer.
ONE, the fifth century, and also as late
as the fourteenth century. Bethel has
been frequently referred to in the Old
Testament lessons. Its importance
was due to the worship Of the golden
calf set up there BY Jsroboam /. q
Kings ~. 29-33l. Giigal IL also named;
but It is uncertain whether this wss the
Gilgal where Samuel judged, or the
place mentioned in 2 Kings Z as the
seat OF a school Of the prophets. The
latter was nearer Bethel, and more
likely TO be the seat of idolatrous wor-
ship. 1t is now called "Jiliilla" (see
Surroundings for February Is,
1891.
TnE.-According to the usual chron- |
Uzziah's reign extended from
B. G. $40 to 1853, and that of Jsroboam
Ii. from b. G.. s25 to 7Sl. Accordingly. |
the date of Amos is fixed at about B. b.
1877, The time of Uzziah's becoming q
is given in the margin of our
English Bibles as about B. G. 765. |
This date does not admit Of the NEW
that the earthquake occurred at the
time. Davis places the earth.
quake abont B. @. $50, and Uzziah's
at the same time.
The lesson is largely q recountiug Of ,
he coming judgments Of God on Isra-
j. These should have led TO repent
.nce; but the refrain il, ssYet have We i
not returned unto me, saith the Lord"
IN verses II and 10 there is . brief
declaration of further judgment, and
llso Of Jehovah's sovereign power over
and man.