Adult Bible Study Guide Apr • May • Jun 2013

1. Adult Bible Study Guide Apr • May • Jun 2013 powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com

2. “Seek theLord and Live!” Major Lessons From Minor Prophets Zdravko Stefanovic Principal Contributor

3. “Seek the Lord and Live” Contents 1 Spiritual Adultery Hosea 2 Love and Judgment: God’s Dilemma Hosea 3 A Holy and Just God Joel 4 Lord of All Nations Amos 5 Seek the Lord and Live! Amos 6 Eager to Forgive Jonah 7 God’s Special People Micah 8 Trusting God’s Goodness Habakkuk 9 The Day of the Lord Zephaniah 10 First Things First! Haggai 11 Vision of Hope Zechariah 12 Heaven’s Best Gift Zechariah 13 Lest We Forget! Malachi

4. “Seek the Lord and Live” Our Goal {169} IT’S PRESENT TRUTH—God’s message to us today just as it was a message to those who lived in the time of these twelve writers who, though long gone, still speak. The question is, will we listen?

5. “Seek the Lord and Live” Lesson 4, April 27 Lord of All Nations (Amos)

6. Lord of All Nations (Amos) Key Text Amos 3:8 NKJV “A LION HAS roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can prophesy?”

7. Lord of All Nations (Amos) Initial Words {207} AMOS WAS CALLED to prophesy to the nations who committed crimes against humanity. He also was sent to a society where a privileged and religious people lived in peace and prosperity. Yet, this same people oppressed the poor and allowed for dishonest business and bribery in court.

8. Lord of All Nations (Amos) Quick Look 1. The Lord of Foreign Nations (Amos 1 and 2) 2. The Lord of Israel(Amos 3:1, 2) 3. The Lord of Edom(Obadiah 1, 2)

9. Lord of All Nations (Amos) 1. The Lord of Foreign Nations Amos 1 and 2 NKJV “THUS SAYS THE Lord: ‘For three transgressions of Damascus,…Gaza,…Tyre, …Edom,…Ammon,…Moab,…Judah, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because….’ ”

10. 1. The Lord of Foreign Nations Crimes Against Humanity {208} THE FIRST TWO chapters contain seven prophecies against neighboring nations. The foreign nations are not judged because they are Israel’s enemies but because of their violations of universal human principles. Two things stand out in Amos’s condemnation: the absence of loyalty and the absence of pity.

11. 1. The Lord of Foreign Nations Crimes Against Humanity {208} Tyre was allied with Israel by a “treaty of brotherhood” during the reigns of David and Solomon. Yet, the people of Tyre had violated the “covenant of brothers” by handing them over to Israel’s enemies, the Edomites.

12. 1. The Lord of Foreign Nations Crimes Against Humanity {208} Thus, the people of Tyre were responsible for the cruelties that these captives suffered at the hands of their enemies. From God’s perspective, the person who assists and supports a crime is as guilty as the person who commits it.

13. 1. The Lord of Foreign Nations Crimes Against Humanity {208} Because God is all-sovereign, He holds the destiny of all the world in His hands. He has purposes and concerns that reach far beyond Israel’s borders. The God of Israel is the Lord of all nations; all human history is His concern. He is the Creator God, who gives life to all, and all are accountable to Him.

14. Lord of All Nations (Amos) 2. The Lord of Israel Amos 3:1, 2 NKJV “HEARTHISWORDthat the Lord has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying: ‘You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.’ ”

15. 2. Lord of Israel Justice for the Oppressed {209} ISRAEL’SECONOMIC PROSPERITY and political stability led to spiritual decay. This spiritual decay displayed itself in social injustice. In Israel, the rich exploited the poor, and the powerful exploited the weak. There is a living God who cares about how we treat others. Justice is a divine concern.

16. 2. Lord of Israel Justice for the Oppressed {209} Social justice should be a natural product of the gospel: the fair treatment of foreigners, widows, and orphans; the just and compassionate treatment of less privileged people; those who are rejected by society; and the needy. No follower of Christ can do anything less and really be a follower of Christ.

17. 2. Lord of Israel The Peril of Privilege {210} Israel was not just another nation among nations. God set it apart for a sacred, divine purpose. Its people stood in special relationship with Him. But Israel’s strength and prosperity led to pride and complacency in regard to its privileged status as the Lord’s chosen people.

18. 2. Lord of Israel The Peril of Privilege {210} “The professed churches of Christ in this generation are exalted to the highest privileges. The Lord has been revealed to us in ever-increasing light. Our privileges are far greater than were the privileges of God’s ancient people.”—Christ’s Object Lessons 317

19. Lord of All Nations (Amos) 3. The Lord of Edom Obadiah 1, 2 NKJV “THE VISION OF Obadiah. Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom….: ‘Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be greatly despised.’ ”

20. 3. The Lord of Edom The Pride That Leads to Fall {212} THE EDOMITES WERE the descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau. The hostility between the Israelites and the Edomites goes back to the family feud between the twin brothers. Yet, according to Genesis 33, the two brothers were later reconciled.

21. 3. The Lord of Edom The Pride That Leads to Fall {212} In spite of this, the hostilities between the two nations continued for centuries. When Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and took its citizens into captivity, the Edomites not only rejoiced, but they even preyed on the fleeing Israelites and helped to plunder Jerusalem.

22. 3. The Lord of Edom The Pride That Leads to Fall {212} God holds responsible those who take advantage of others in their time of distress. in time of distress

23. Lord of All Nations (Amos) Final Words {211} IF, SUDDENLY, YOU were to hear the warning, “Prepare to meet your God, O [your name here]”— what would be your response? What is your only hope?