Session 2 Amos 4:1-13

REFUSE (AMOS 4:6-11)

the numerous ways God sought to get His people’s attention.

6 I gave you absolutely nothing to eat in all your cities,
a shortage of food in all your communities, yet you did not return to me.
This is the LORD’s declaration.
7 I also withheld the rain from you while there were still three months until harvest.
I sent rain on one city but no rain on another.
One field received rain while a field with no rain withered.
8 Two or three cities staggered to another city to drink water but were not satisfied, yet you did not return to me.
This is the LORD’s declaration.

9 I struck you with blight and mildew;
the locust devoured your many gardens and vineyards,
your fig trees and olive trees, yet you did not return to me.
This is the LORD’s declaration.
10 I sent plagues like those of Egypt;
I killed your young men with the sword, along with your captured horses.
I caused the stench of your camp to fill your nostrils, yet you did not return to me.
This is the LORD’s declaration.

11 I overthrew some of you as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,
and you were like a burning stick snatched from a fire, yet you did not return to me —
This is the LORD’s declaration.

IDENTIFY:

list the seven calamities that should have turned the people’s hearts back to God.

ASK:

• Why might two people experience the same sets of calamities
  and one turn to God while the other refuses to turn to God? (p. 23)

TRANSITION:

Amos challenged the Israelites to prepare to meet God
to give an accounting. The prophet reminded the people of God’s power
and sovereignty to emphasize the seriousness of this meeting.