The Book of Amos: Hard Difficulty Quiz Flashcards

#1

In Amos 1:3-2:16, Amos pronounces judgment against eight nations in a specific pattern. What is the structural formula Amos uses to introduce judgments against each nation?

📖 Amos 1:3

#2

What is Amos's own occupation before he is called to prophesy, according to his statement in Amos 7:14-15?

📖 Amos 7:14-15

#3

In Amos 3:7, Amos makes a theological declaration about God's relationship with prophets. Which statement captures the meaning of this verse?

📖 Amos 3:7

#4

Amos uses a series of rhetorical questions in Amos 3:3-6 to illustrate cause and effect. Which of the following is NOT one of the pairs Amos uses in this passage?

📖 Amos 3:3-6

#5

In Amos 5:4-6, the Lord calls Israel to seek Him. What specific alternative does Amos condemn alongside seeking the Lord, suggesting that Israel's religious practice was misguided?

📖 Amos 5:4-6

#6

Amos 5:21-24 contains one of the Bible's most powerful critiques of empty religious ritual. What does the Lord say He 'hates' and 'rejects' in contrast to justice and righteousness?

📖 Amos 5:21-24

#7

In Amos 7:10-13, Amaziah the priest of Bethel confronts Amos about his prophesying. What does Amaziah command Amos to do, and where does he order him to go?

📖 Amos 7:10-13

#8

Amos 8:11-12 contains a prophecy about a future famine. What is unique about the nature of this famine compared to physical hunger?

📖 Amos 8:11-12

#2

A shepherd and also cared for sycamore-fig trees

Amos explicitly identifies himself as a shepherd and someone who took care of sycamore-fig trees before being called by the Lord to prophesy (Amos 7:14-15). This humble background contrasts with his powerful prophetic message.

Amos 7:14-15

#1

For three sins and for four, I will not turn back my wrath

Amos uses the distinctive formula 'For three sins of [nation] and for four, I will not turn back my wrath' to introduce his oracles against Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Judah, and Israel (Amos 1:3-2:8). This repetitive structure emphasizes the certainty and finality of God's judgment.

Amos 1:3

#4

Does rain fall on the earth if the clouds have passed by completely?

Amos 3:3-6 contains rhetorical questions about cause and effect but does not mention rain falling on the earth. The passage includes questions about walking together, birds in traps, trumpets sounding, and snares (Amos 3:3-6 NIV).

Amos 3:3-6

#3

The Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets

Amos 3:7 states that 'the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets,' emphasizing that God communicates His purposes through the prophetic office.

Amos 3:7

#6

Your festivals and the noise of your songs; instead let justice roll on like a river

Amos 5:21-24 records God's rejection of Israel's festivals and songs, calling instead for 'justice to roll on like a river, and righteousness like a never-failing stream!' This passage emphasizes that religious observance without social justice is abhorrent to God.

Amos 5:21-24

#5

Seeking the high places at Bethel, Gilgal, and Beersheba

Amos 5:5-6 warns against seeking the high places at Bethel, Gilgal, and Beersheba, implying that Israel's worship at these idolatrous sanctuaries would come to nothing. Amos calls Israel to 'seek the Lord and live' rather than pursue these false worship centers.

Amos 5:4-6

#8

It will be a famine of hearing the words of the Lord, not of bread or thirst for water

Amos 8:11-12 prophesies: 'The days are coming when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.' This spiritual famine represents God's withdrawal of His prophetic word from Israel as judgment.

Amos 8:11-12

#7

Go back to the land of Judah and earn your bread by prophesying there

Amos 7:12 records Amaziah telling Amos to 'Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there.' Amaziah was attempting to silence Amos by forcing him out of the Northern Kingdom's territory.

Amos 7:10-13

#9

In Amos 9:11-15, Amos concludes his prophecy with a message of restoration. What specific structure does the Lord promise to restore in these verses?

📖 Amos 9:11-15

#10

Which of the following best describes the historical context in which Amos prophesied, based on internal evidence from the book?

📖 Amos 1:1

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#10

During a time of relative prosperity and peace in Israel under Jeroboam II, yet marked by social injustice and idolatry

Amos 1:1 dates the prophecy to 'the days of Uzziah king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel,' a period of relative stability and economic prosperity for the Northern Kingdom. However, Amos consistently denounces wealth gained through injustice, suggesting prosperity coexisted with moral decay.

Amos 1:1

#9

The fallen shelter of David and rebuild it as in days of old

Amos 9:11 states: 'In that day I will restore David's fallen shelter—I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins—and will rebuild it as it used to be.' This prophecy speaks of restoration through the line of David, which Christian tradition interprets as pointing to Christ.

Amos 9:11-15

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