2 kings 14:18-22; 15:3-4 2 chron. 25:26-28; 26:1-23 1

Death of Amaziah,Introduction to Amos

2 Kings 14:18-22; 15:3-4

2 Chron. 25:26-28; 26:1-23

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2The Death of Amaziah

2 Kings 14:18-22; 2 Chron. 25:26-282 Kings 14:18-22 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? (19) And they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there. (20) And they brought him upon horses; and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David. (21) And all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. (22) He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.

The Death of Amaziah2 Kings 14:18-22; 2 Chron. 25:26-28

JudahDeath of Amaziah

He had turned away from God

Some of the servants turned on him, slew him, and buried him in Jerusalem

Israel Jeroboam II still

reigning

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The Reign of Uzziah (Azariah) 2 Kings 15:1-3; 2 Chron. 26:1-3

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2 Kings 15:1-3 In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. (2) Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. (3) And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.

The Reign of Uzziah (Azariah) 2 Kings 15:1-3; 2 Chron. 26:1-3

JudahUzziah (Azariah),

Amaziah’s son, made king16 years oldRuled 52 years

Israel 27th year of the 41-

year reign of Jeroboam II

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6Uzziah’s Character 2 Kings 15:4; 2 Chron. 26:4-5

2 Kings 15:4 Howbeit the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.

2 Chronicles 26:4-5 And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. (5) And he set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God: and as long as he sought Jehovah, God made him to prosper.

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Judah

Character of UzziahGood for most of his reign

High places were not removed

Idolatry continued as it had under his father

Zechariah (Aid to Uzziah)A prophet/counselor

Nothing else known about him

Israel

Jeroboam II still reigning

Uzziah’s Character 2 Kings 15:4; 2 Chron. 26:4-5

Uzziah (Azariah) Prospers2 Chron. 26:6-8

2 Chronicles 26:6-8 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he built cities in the country of Ashdod, and among the Philistines. (7) And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Meunim. (8) And the Ammonites gave tribute to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entrance of Egypt; for he waxed exceeding strong.

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9Uzziah (Azariah) Prospers

2 Chron. 26:6-8

JudahUzziah was successful in wars.

Tore down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, Ashdod

Successful against the Philistines, Arabians and Mehunims, Ammonites

Restored Elath (Eloth), a port at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba (2 Chron. 26:2)

Israel

Jeroboam II still reigning

Uzziah’s (Azariah) Projects 2 Chron. 26:9-10

2 Chronicles 26:9-10 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them. (10) And he built towers in the wilderness, and hewed out many cisterns, for he had much cattle; in the lowland also, and in the plain: and he had husbandmen and vinedressers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved husbandry.

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11Uzziah’s (Azariah) Projects

2 Chron. 26:9-10

JudahUzziah’s building and

farm projectsBuilt towers in JerusalemBuilt towers and dug wells

in the low country and in the plains

He had a lot of cattle and vineyards

Israel Jeroboam II

still reigning

12Uzziah’s Military

2 Chron. 26:11-15

2 Chronicles 26:11-15 Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains. (12) The whole number of the heads of fathers' houses, even the mighty men of valor, was two thousand and six hundred. (13) And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.

(14) And Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the host, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and stones for slinging. (15) And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by skilful men, to be on the towers and upon the battlements, wherewith to shoot arrows and great stones. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.

Uzziah’s Military2 Chron. 26:11-15

JudahUzziah’s army

307,500 trained fightersWell equipped with

weapons and armorBuilt engines of warfare to

shoot arrows and stones

Uzziah was blessed by God and his fame went out far and wide

Israel Jeroboam II

still reigning

Amos prophesied

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Introduction to Amos... Name means “burden bearer” A sheep herdsman from Tekoa, and a dresser of

sycamore trees He was a prophet- contemporary with Isaiah and

Hosea. Not a “trained” prophetProphesied from about 760 to 755 B.C.About 40 years before the fall of IsraelDuring a period of peace in IsraelSyria had fallen

“two years before the earthquake” (Zech. 14:5)

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Introduction to Amos...

Lived during the reign of Jeroboam II in Israel and Uzziah in JudahUzziah was righteousJeroboam II was shown mercy

Both Judah and Israel prospered at this time and expanded their territories

But, they grew ungratefulReveled in selfishness and rebellion

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Introduction to Amos...

With Israel’s prosperity came injustice, luxury, and greedReligious rites were presentAn era of moral decay

His message:He warned Israel that judgment was

inevitableHe warned Judah to shape up, or else

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The Book of AmosBasic Outline:

Amos 1:1-2:3 Judgment against various nations

around Israel

Amos 2:4-6:14 State of affairs of both Judah and Israel

but mostly Israel

Amos 7:1-9:10 Impending punishment of Israel

Amos 9:11-15 Promise of future restoration

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19The Judgment of Nations

Amos 1:1-2:3

Amos 1:1-2:3 The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. (2) And he said, Jehovah will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the pastures of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither. (3) Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Damascus, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:

20(4) but I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, and it shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad. (5) And I will break the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the valley of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden; and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith Jehovah. (6) Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Gaza, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole people, to deliver them up to Edom: (7) but I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, and it shall devour the palaces thereof. (8) And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon;

21…and I will turn my hand against Ekron; and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord Jehovah. (9) Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Tyre, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole people to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant: (10) but I will send a fire on the wall of Tyre, and it shall devour the palaces thereof. (11) Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Edom, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever: (12) but I will send a fire upon Teman, and it shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.

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(13) Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they may enlarge their border. (14) But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind; (15) and their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith Jehovah.

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(2:1) Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Moab, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime: (2) but I will send a fire upon Moab, and it shall devour the palaces of Kerioth; and Moab shall die with tumult, with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet; (3) and I will cut off the judge from the midst thereof, and will slay all the princes thereof with him, saith Jehovah.

The Judgment of Nations Amos 1:1-2:3

Damascus (Syria)

Cruelties against Gilead (2 Kings 10:33)

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2 Kings 10:32-33 In those days Jehovah began to cut off from Israel: and Hazael smote them in all the borders of Israel; (33) from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.


Damascus (Syria)


Judgment in 2 Kings 16:1-9

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2 Kings 16:1-9 In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign. (2) Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he did not that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah his God, like David his father.

(3) But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom Jehovah cast out from before the children of Israel. (4) And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. (5) Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him. (6) At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drove the Jews from Elath; and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there, unto this day.

(7) So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, who rise up against me. (8) And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of Jehovah, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria. (9) And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him; and the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.


Damascus (Syria)



Gaza (Philistia)

Selling captives to Edom (2 Chron. 21:17)

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2 Chronicles 21:16-17 And Jehovah stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians that are beside the Ethiopians: (17) and they came up against Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.


Damascus (Syria)



Gaza (Philistia)


Judgment in 2 Kings 18:8

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2 Kings 18:8 He smote the Philistines unto Gaza and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city.


Damascus (Syria)



Gaza (Philistia)


Judgment in 2 Kings 18:8

Tyre (Phoenicia)

Selling captives to Edom

Judgment in Ezek. 26:7-14

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Ezekiel 26:7-14 For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will bring upon Tyre Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and a company, and much people. (8) He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field; and he shall make forts against thee, and cast up a mound against thee, and raise up the buckler against thee. (9) And he shall set his battering engines against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers.

(10) By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee: thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wagons, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach. (11) With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets; he shall slay thy people with the sword; and the pillars of thy strength shall go down to the ground. (12) And they shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise; and they shall break down thy walls, and destroy thy pleasant houses; and they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the waters.

(13) And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard. (14) And I will make thee a bare rock; thou shalt be a place for the spreading of nets; thou shalt be built no more: for I Jehovah have spoken it, saith the Lord Jehovah.


Edom Bitter enemies of Israel, especially

when Jerusalem was besieged by Chaldeans

Ammon Killed pregnant women to seize

territory in Gilead Moab

Burned the bones of the king of Edom

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The Judgment of JudahAmos 2:4-5

Amos 2:4-5 Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Judah, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have rejected the law of Jehovah, and have not kept his statutes, and their lies have caused them to err, after which their fathers did walk: (5) but I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem.

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The Judgment of JudahAmos 2:4-5

Transgressions:

Despised the law of the Lord

Kept not His commandments

Lies (false prophets) caused them to sin (err)

Judgment:

Fire will come upon them and it will devour the palaces of Jerusalem

Fall of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25)

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The Judgment of IsraelAmos 2:6-16

Amos 2:6-16 Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Israel, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes - (7) they that pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father go unto the same maiden, to profane my holy name: (8) and they lay themselves down beside every altar upon clothes taken in pledge; and in the house of their God they drink the wine of such as have been fined.

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39(9) Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath. (10) Also I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. (11) And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. Is it not even thus, O ye children of Israel? saith Jehovah. (12) But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink, and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not. (13) Behold, I will press you in your place, as a cart presseth that is full of sheaves.

(14) And flight shall perish from the swift; and the strong shall not strengthen his force; neither shall the mighty deliver himself; (15) neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself; neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself; (16) and he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith Jehovah.

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Transgressions: The leaders sold the righteous for silver, and

the poor for a pair of shoes Panted after (wanted it badly) the dust of the

earth on the head of the poor Turned aside the way of the meek A man and son with the same woman Retained pledged garments and used them

in holy places Bought wine with unjust and oppressive fines

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Transgressions: Caused God’s chosen ones to break their

vow and stumble Commanded the prophets not to prophesy

Judgment: God’s judgment to them would be utter

destruction None would escape, not even the strongest,

the fastest, or the most courageous

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The JudgmentsAmos 2:6-16

Notes: All judgments came about within 50

years of these prophesies Judgments of the nations were for their

wickedness against God’s people Judgments against Judah and Israel were

for transgressions against the people and for transgressing God’s commandments

Destruction will be total and complete, except for a remnant

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Five Visions of AmosAmos 7:1 – 9:10

1. Vision of grasshoppers (7:1-3)

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Amos 7:1-3 Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings. (2) And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. (3) The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.


2. Vision concerning the fire (7:4-7)

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Amos 7:4-7 Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part. (5) Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. (6) The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD. (7) Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.


3. Vision of the plumbline (7:7-9)

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Amos 7:7-9 Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. (8) And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: (9) And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.


4. Amaziah, the priest, falsely accused Amos before Jeroboam (7:10-17)

• Amos declared that God had sent him and the pronounced doom on the false priest

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Amos 7:10-17 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words. (11) For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land. (12) Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: (13) But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court. (14) Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit.

(15) And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. (16) Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac. (17) Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.

50Five Visions of Amos

Amos 7:1 – 9:10

4. Vision of the basket of fruit (8:1-14)Amos 8:1-14 Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit. (2) And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more. (3) And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence. (4) Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,

(5) Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? (6) That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat? (7) The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works. (8) Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt. (9) And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:

(10) And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day. (11) Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: (12) And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.

(13) In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst. (14) They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again.


• Israel ripe for judgment • Coming days of famine

5. Vision of the passing of a kingdom – Israel; except for a remnant (9:1-10)

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Amos 9:1-10 I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.

(2) Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down: (3) And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them: (4) And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good. (5) And the Lord GOD of hosts is he that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourn: and it shall rise up wholly like a flood; and shall be drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.

(6) It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name. (7) Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir? (8) Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD.

(9) For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. (10) All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.

Future Restoration of IsraelAmos 9:11-15

Amos 9:11-15 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: (12) That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. (13) Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.

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(14) And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. (15) And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.

Future Restoration of IsraelAmos 9:11-15

God will raise up the tabernacle of David – a new kingdom

It will include the remnant of David, the remnant of Edom and all nations

And, it shall endure forever!

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Today’s Relevance

Justice between men is right before God Privilege implies responsibility- care for

the poor- do not take advantage or cheat.

Failure to take responsibility demands punishment

Nations and individuals must live up to the knowledge granted them

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Today’s Relevance

Even elaborate worship, if heartless, is an insult to God

Going through the motions will not acquit one before God, for He can read hearts and motives

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The Prophecy of Hosea

The Book of Hosea

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Theme of the Book

Unfaithful Israel to be cast off

Other nations to be called in to punish Israel

Judah warned to take heed or face the same fate as other nations

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Outline of the Book

An adulterous marriage 1:1 – 3:5

Ignorance About God 4:1 – 6:3

No Love For God 6:4 – 11:11

God and His Bride 11:12 – 14:9

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Introduction

Hosea prophesied during the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II and during the last 40 years of the Northern kingdom

Began his work at the peak of Israel’s power

Elijah, Elisha, Jonah and Amos were earlier prophets sent by God

A younger contemporary of Amos An older contemporary of Isaiah and Micah

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Israel’s Condition Corruption in Israel was worsening The people had become ignorant of God’s

lawsThey were playing the role of a harlotThey were paying homage to the Baals

They took pride in being the historic people of GodThis privilege was conditional upon their

keeping God’s covenantThey were now violating it and were at risk

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Hosea’s Marriage (1:1-2)

Hosea 1:1-2 The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. (2) The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.

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Hosea’s Marriage (1:1-2)

The tragedy of his broken home God told him to marry a woman with an

idolatrous background Hosea took Gomer as his wife After their marriage, she became a harlot Through this marriage God wanted to

teach Israel a lesson God used this actual experience as a living

illustration of His love for a wayward Israel and of their unfaithfulness to Him

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Hosea’s Three Children (1:3-11)

Hosea 1:3-11 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son. (4) And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel. (5) And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel. (6) And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away. (7) But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God,

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71…and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen. (8) Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son. (9) Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. (10) Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. (11) Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.

Hosea’s Three Children (1:3-11)

First child a son “Jezreel” meaning “God shall scatter”

Second child a daughter “Lo-ruha-mah” meaning “not (Lo) having obtained mercy”

Third child a son “Lo-Ammi” meaning “not (Lo) my people”

This child was not Hosea’s

God said, “Call his name Lo-Ammi, for you are not My people, And I will not be your God”

The name reflected the climax of Israel’s fate.

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Their names also used as a symbol of the future restoration Note the play on words in the following

versesverses 10-11 refer to the future restoration

Sons of the living GodPeople united under a new leader

2:1 uses their names without the “not” or “Lo”My peopleMercy is shown

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God’s Unfaithful Nation (2:2-23)

The comparison between Gomer and IsraelIsrael would be a disgrace

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“I will not have mercy on her children,For they are the children of harlotry.For their mother has played the harlot;She who conceived them has behaved shamefully.For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers,Who give me my bread and my water,My wool and my linen,My oil and my drink.’” (Hosea 2:4-5)


The comparison between Gomer and Israel

Israel would be a disgrace

Israel sought new lovers in the Baalim

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“She will chase her lovers, But not overtake them; Yes, she will seek them, but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, For then it was better for me than now.’”

(Hosea 2:7)


The comparison between Gomer and IsraelIsrael would be a disgraceIsrael sought new lovers in the BaalimIsrael had corrupted the feast days

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” I will also cause all her mirth to cease, Her feast days, Her New Moons, Her Sabbaths— All her appointed feasts.” (Hosea 2:11)


The comparison between Gomer and IsraelIsrael would be a disgraceIsrael sought new lovers in the BaalimIsrael had corrupted the feast daysIsrael would be punished

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“I will punish her...” (Hosea 2:13)


God’s mercyGod would lure her back

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“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, Will bring her into the wilderness, And speak comfort to her. I will give her her vineyards from there, And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope...” (Hosea 2:14)


God’s mercy God would lure her back Then, she will be purged of her wickedness

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”For I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals, And they shall be remembered by their name no more.” (Hosea 2:17)

80Israel Will Return To God (3:1-5)

Hosea 3:1-5 Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. (2) So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley: (3) And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee. (4) For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: (5) Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

Israel Will Return To God (3:1-5)

Hosea told to go to his estranged wife, to love her and bring her back

He redeemed her, she would prove herself many days with abstinence

Likewise, Israel would be purged of wickedness and then return to the Lord with a new king

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Israel’s Sins and Judgment Chapters 4-12 deal with Israel’s ungodliness:

No truth, mercy, or knowledge of GodBy swearing and lying, killing, stealing,

committing adultery and drinking new wineThey broke all restraintsChapter 4 paints a picture that adultery

was rampant at this timeIdolatry was the customary religionThey relied upon other nations for helpThe list of sins goes on and on

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Chapters 4-12 deal with Israel’s impending judgment:They shall not dwell in the Lord’s landThey will eat unclean thingsOther nations will devour themThey will not have a kingThey will be cast away from God

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“Also the high places of Aven, the sin of Israel,Shall be destroyed. The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars; They shall say to the mountains, “Cover us!” And to the hills, “Fall on us!”” (Hosea 10:8)

Seven Principal Steps to Israel’s Downfall

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1. Lack of Knowledge (Hosea 4:6)1. Lack of Knowledge (Hosea 4:6)

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest to me...”

“Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.” Hosea 4:1

Charge, dispute,Quarrel,

grievance

Lack of Knowledge Today

Plan of salvation Great commission When the church was established Worship of the church Organization of the church

“Prove all things: hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thes. 5:21“…be ready always to give an answer” 1 Pet.3:15

The Tragedies of Ignorance

Matt. 13:15 ears dull of hearing, eyes closed lest they understand with their heart…

2 Thes.1:7-9 “on them that know not God”

Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”

Cause us to be lost

The Blessings of Knowledge

1 Thes.4:13 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren…”

1 Tim. 2:4 “to come unto the knowledge of the truth”

John 8:32 “the truth shall make you free.”2 Pet.2:20 - escaped through knowledgeHeb. 5:12-14 - need to be taught again

The Blessings of KnowledgeMatt. 4:1-12 - Temptation of Jesus

“It is written”

“This book will keep you from sin and nothing but sin will keep you from this book.”

How to OvercomeSpiritual IgnoranceDetermine to study

Many things to attract our attentionWatch TV 14 to 30 hours per week

“Till I come, give attention to reading” 1Tim.4:13“From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures” 2 Tim. 3:15

Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge

Saved by Knowledge

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32


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2. Pride (Hosea 5:5 & 7:10)2. Pride (Hosea 5:5 & 7:10)

“The pride of Israel testifies to his face...”


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3. Instability (Hosea 6:4 &13:3)3. Instability (Hosea 6:4 &13:3)

“For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, And like the early dew it goes away.”

“Like chaff blown off from a threshing floor And like smoke from a chimney.”


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4. Worldliness (Hosea 7:8)4. Worldliness (Hosea 7:8)

“Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake unturned.”


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5. Corruption (Hosea 9:9)5. Corruption (Hosea 9:9)

“They are deeply corrupted, As in the days of Gibeah.”


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6. Backsliding (Hosea 11:7)6. Backsliding (Hosea 11:7)

“My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt Him”


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7. Idolatry (Hosea 13:2)7. Idolatry (Hosea 13:2)

“Now they sin more and more, and have made for themselves molded images, idols of their silver, according to their skill.”

The Prophet’s Last Plea (14:1-9)

The book does not close without God’s offer of forgiveness. Israel was guilty before God, yet through repentance could have known restoration.

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“O Israel, return to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take words with you, And return to the Lord. Say to Him, ‘Take away all iniquity...’”

(Hosea 14:1-2)

The Prophet’s Last Plea (14:1-9) 99

“Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.”

(Hosea 14:9)

Today’s RelevanceGod still calls out for, and requires, loyalty

The world is abounding with false gods and religions

Even some churches of Christ are giving themselves to the world and to the worship of the individual

People are rejecting God’s laws and substituting their own religious preferences

This is spiritual adultery with God

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2 Kings 14:28 – 16:5

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Death of Jeroboam II

Divided Kingdom Judah

Uzziah (Azariah) -15th Year

IsraelDeath of Jeroboam II

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2 Kings 14:28-29 Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? (29) And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.

Divided Kingdom

JudahUzziah (Azariah)

-15th Year

38th Year

IsraelDeath of

Jeroboam II - 2 Kings 14:28-29

Zechariah – 6 months (wicked)Slain by

Shallum

2 Kings 15:8-12

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2 Kings 15:8-12 In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months. (9) And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. (10) And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead. (11) And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. (12) This was the word of the LORD which he spake unto Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation. And so it came to pass.

Divided Kingdom

JudahUzziah

(Azariah) -15th Year

38th Year

IsraelDeath of Jeroboam

II - 2 Kings 14:28-29

Zechariah – 6 months (wicked)Slain by Shallum2 Kings 15:8-12

End of Jehu dynasty 2 Kings 10:30

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2 Kings 10:30 And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.

106Divided Kingdom Judah

Uzziah (Azariah) - 39th Year

IsraelShallum – 1 month (wicked)

Slain by Menahem

2 Kings 15:13-15 Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria. (14) For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead. (15) And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

Divided Kingdom

JudahUzziah

(Azariah) - 39th Year

39th Year

IsraelShallum – 1 month

(wicked)Slain by Menahem

2 Kings 15:13-15

Menahem – 10 years (wicked)Ruthless

2 Kings 15:16-18

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2 Kings 15:16-18 Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that were therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah: because they opened not to him, therefore he smote it; and all the women therein that were with child he ripped up. (17) In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king of Judah began Menahem the son of Gadi to reign over Israel, and reigned ten years in Samaria. (18) And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.


Uzziah’s sin and punishment (leprosy) 2 Chron. 26:16-21

(Jotham, his son, exercised actual rule of the people)

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2 Chronicles 26:16-21 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

(17) And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men: (18) And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God. (19) Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.

(20) And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him. (21) And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.


Uzziah’s sin and punishment (leprosy) 2 Chron. 26:16-21

(Jotham, his son, exercised actual rule of the people)

IsraelWhile Menahem

is reigning, Tiglath-pileser III (Pul) arose in AssyriaInvaded IsraelForced tribute

2 Kings 15:19-20

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2 Kings 15:19-20 And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. (20) And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.

Divided Kingdom

JudahUzziah – 50th

Year

IsraelPekahiah – 2

years (wicked)Slain by Pekah

(one of his captains)

2 Kings 15:22-25

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2 Kings 15:22-25 And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead. (23) In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years. (24) And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. (25) But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.


Uzziah – 52nd year

IsraelPekah – 20 years

(wicked)

2 Kings 15:25-31

2 Chron. 28:5-15

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2 Kings 15:25-31 But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.

(26) And the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. (27) In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned twenty years. (28) And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. (29) In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

(30) And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah. (31) And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

Divided Kingdom

JudahUzziah – 52nd yearUzziah died –

Reigned 52 Years

2 Kings15:6-7

2 Chron. 26:22-23


(wicked)

2 Kings 15:25-31

2 Chron. 28:5-15

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2 Kings 15:6-7 And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? (7) So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

Divided Kingdom

JudahUzziah – 52nd year

Uzziah died – Reigned 52 Years

2 Kings15:6-7

2 Chron. 26:22-23


(wicked)

2 Kings 15:25-31

2 Chron. 28:5-15Tiglath-pileser III

returns

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Divided Kingdom 121

Isaiah received his commission to prophesy in the year Uzziah died –

Isa. 6:1-13Preached what the people did not want to hear.

The Prophet Isaiah

The Book of Isaiah

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Isaiah’s Call Saw the glory of God (6:1-7)

The life-shaking awe of GodThe exposure of sinfulness before

holiness The grace that removes our sin (5-7) Isaiah: “Here am I; send me” (8) Warning: Preaching will not be popular

Sometimes it will seem useless (9-10)They may see the value of your

preaching only after calamity (11-13)

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Isaiah A Prophet in Jerusalem Name means “The Lord is Salvation” Little is know about his personal life

Father is named but was obscureWife was a “prophetess”

May have been slain during the reign of Manasseh

Often quoted in the N. T. for describing the coming Messiah

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Isaiah

Prophesied for over 50 years Prophesied to both Judah and Israel Prophesied during The Fall of Samaria

(Israel) His work spans five kings of Judah

Began in the last year of UzziahAlso, prophesied during the reigns of

Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah and Manasseh

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Isaiah’s Message Warned of men of God’s justice and

judgment Saw the pending captivity of Israel and Judah Saw the restoration of God’s people He saw just two alternatives:

Salvation or condemnation He revealed his visions Prophesied of the future reign of Christ

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The Book of Isaiah Visions and Discourses Relating to Israel and

Judah, and to the Nations (chapters 1-39)God’s messages to Israel and Judah

(chapter 1-12) Israel’s sins were:

Idolatry – 2:5-8; 8:19Immorality – 1:15; 3:9-11; 5:8,11,18-23Ritualism – 1:11-15Vanity of their lifestyle – 3:16-24;5:11-12

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The Lord’s House Will Be Exaltedchapters 1-12

There was still a great future for God’s faithful remnant – The Word will go forth from Jerusalem

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Isaiah 2:1-4 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. (2) And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

(3) And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (4) And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

The Lord’s House Will Be Exalted

chapters 1-12 There was still a great future for God’s

faithful remnant – The Word will go forth from Jerusalem

(2:1-4)The virgin shall conceive and bring forth

Immanuel

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Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:1-2 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. (2) The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Isaiah sees a great light shining

Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

God’s Message for the Nations (chapters 13-23)

Sins of the nations are not ignored Nations to be dealt with:

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–Egypt–Edom–Arabia–Tyre

–Babylon–Philistia–Moab–Syria–Ethiopia

Contrasts Between God’s People and the Nations (chapters 24-27)

God’s judgments will begin at His own house, but other nations are still accountable for their own sins

God favors His people God will protect His people while punishing

the nations

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Rebukes and Promises Concerning Israel’s Future (chapters 28-35)

His people refuse to be taught by GodThey will learn their lesson from foreign

invaders They will view their wise men as foolish;

themselves foolish for putting so much trust in them

He asks why they put their trust in Egypt rather than in Him

They will come to realize that they really do need God. He is the only real Helper

A brighter day and a better way (ch.35)

Historical Section (Chapters 36-39) Hezekiah and Judah face Assyria

Isaiah 37:14-22 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. (15) Then Hezekiah prayed to the LORD, saying: (16) "O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. (17) Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. (18) Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands,

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(19) and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men's hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. (20) Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD, You alone." (21) Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, (22) this is the word which the LORD has spoken concerning him: "The virgin, the daughter of Zion, Has despised you, laughed you to scorn; The daughter of Jerusalem Has shaken her head behind your back!

Their deliveranceIsaiah 37:31-38 And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah Shall again take root downward, And bear fruit upward. (32) For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, And those who escape from Mount Zion. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (33) "Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: 'He shall not come into this city, Nor shoot an arrow there, Nor come before it with shield, Nor build a siege mound against it. (34) By the way that he came, By the same shall he return; And he shall not come into this city,' Says the LORD. (35) 'For I will defend this city, to save it For My own sake and for My servant David's sake.' "

(36) Then the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead. (37) So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh. (38) Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.

Hezekiah’s sicknessFifteen years were added to his

lifeIsaiah 38:1-8 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.' " (2) Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, (3) and said, "Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (4) And the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying,

(5) "Go and tell Hezekiah, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years. (6) I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city." ' (7) And this is the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing which He has spoken: (8) Behold, I will bring the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down with the sun on the sundial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward." So the sun returned ten degrees on the dial by which it had gone down.

Visitors from BabylonHezekiah showed them his

treasuresIsaiah 39:1-2 At that time Merodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. (2) And Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them the house of his treasures—the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory—all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.

Isaiah warned that one day the treasures will be carried away to

Babylon

Isaiah 39:6-7 'Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,' says the LORD. (7) 'And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.' "

Review

Discourses Relating To Israel and Judah, and the Nations (Chapters 1-39)Messages to Israel and Judah – ch. 1-12Messages for the Nations – ch. 13-23Contrasts Between God’s People and the

Nations – ch. 24-27Rebukes & Promises Regarding Israel’s

Future – ch. 28-35

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Review

Discourses Relating To Israel and Judah, and the Nations (Chapters 1-39)Hezekiah and Judah Face

Assyria – ch. 36-39Their deliveranceHezekiah’s sicknessVisitors from Babylon

145

A Series of Visions

Visions That Set Forth The Servants God Will Use To:

Deliver Zion

Accomplish His Will Among the Nations chapters 40-66

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Jehovah Will Deliver Israel

Chapters 40-48: His Incomparable Greatness

Who Comforts like Him? - 40:10-11

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Isaiah 40:10-11 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. (11) He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.


Isaiah 40:22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

Isaiah 40:25 "To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?" says the Holy One.

Jehovah Will Deliver IsraelChapters 40-48: His Incomparable Greatness

Who Comforts like Him? - 40:10-11Who Strengthens like Him? – 40:29-31

149

Isaiah 40:29-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: (31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.


Chapters 40-48:Who can know the future and tell it?

Only the True and LIVING God

150

Cyrus Will Serve God’s Plan 151

Isaiah 44:28 Who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, "You shall be built," And to the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid." ‘

Isaiah 45:1 "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held— To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut:

Cyrus Will Serve God’s Plan

Named Before Even Born – Only God could do this

Cyrus was the first king of Medo-Persia

He will let God’s people go home from captivity

God’s servant to bring God’s judgment upon Babylon

152

God’s Suffering Servant

Chapters 49-57: Will Take Sin Upon Himself Will Satisfy Justice Will Provide Sacrifice Through

Which to Save Israel

153

This Messianic Servant Will astonish the nations – 52:13-15

154

Isaiah 52:13-15 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. (14) As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: (15) So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

This Messianic Servant Will be different than usual expectations –

155

Isaiah 53:1-3 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? (2) For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. (3) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

This Messianic Servant

Will be wounded for our transgressions –

156

Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:7-9 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (8) He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. (9) And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Will be oppressed though he had done no wrong

This Messianic Servant

Will astonish the nations – 52:13-15 Will be different than usual expectations –

53:1-3 Will be wounded for our transgressions –

53:4-6 Will be oppressed though he had done no

wrong – 53:7-9 Through His death the will of God would be

accomplished – 53:10-12

158

Isaiah 53:10-12 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (12) Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Glorified Zion In A New Dispensation

Chapters 58-66: In this new age, we will see:

Universal RedemptionThe Spiritual KingdomThe Seed of David, the Christ

160

Chapters 58-66

Selfish worship will have to go – 58 God is still available – 59:1-2

161

Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Chapters 58-66Injustice will have to go – 59:3-15

162

Isaiah 59:3-15 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. (4) None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. (5) They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.

(6) Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. (7) Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. (8) The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. (9) Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.

(10) We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men. (11) We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us. (12) For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; (13) In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

(14) And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. (15) Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.

Chapters 58-66

A Redeemer will come to Zion – 59:19-20

166

Isaiah 59:19-20 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. (20) And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.

Chapters 58-66

A glorified Zion (His people’s hearts) in the midst of the nations that oppose her

This involves a “remnant” Isaiah 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come

to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

167

Isaiah 61:4-9 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. (5) And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. (6) But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

His promises of the future blessedness of the church

(7) For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. (8) For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. (9) And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.

Chapters 58-66

A new name will be given –

Isaiah 62:12 And they shall call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; And you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.

170

God will preserve Zion and destroy the nations – 63

A prayer for help –

Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

The rebellious will be punished – 65

A new heavens and new earth will be created

God’s enemies will be destroyed – 66

Zion will be enlarged and blessed

171

2 kings 14:18-22; 15:3-4 2 chron. 25:26-28; 26:1-23 1

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