What Do Shepherds Know

Series: Major Truths from Minor Prophets

May 30, 2021 | Chad Gilbert

Shepherds know the roar of a lion means danger.

"He said: The Lord roars from Zion
and makes his voice heard from Jerusalem;
the pastures of the shepherds mourn,
and the summit of Carmel withers." — Amos 1:2

"A lion has roared;
who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken;
who will not prophesy?"Amos 3:8

  • A warning to the nations (Amos 1:3—2:3) 
  • A warning to Judah (2:4-5) 
  • A stern warning to Israel (2:6—4:5) 

Application: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8

Shepherds know you wound a sheep to save a sheep.

"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.

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.
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.

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.

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.

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.

Therefore, Israel, that is what I will do to you,
and since I will do that to you,
Israel, prepare to meet your God!"Amos 4:6-12

  • Amos 4:6 – hunger, but you did not return to me.
  • Amos 4:7-8 – thirst, but you did not return to me. 
  • Amos 4:9 – pestilence, but you did not return to me. 
  • Amos 4:10 – plagues, but you did not return to me.
  • Amos 4:11 – total destruction, but you did not return to me.

Shepherds know sheep underestimate real danger.

"Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord!
What will the day of the Lord be for you?
It will be darkness and not light."Amos 5:18

"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion
and to those who feel secure on the hill of Samaria—
the notable people in this first of the nations,
those the house of Israel comes to."Amos 6:1

  • Amos 5:24 – injustice and unrighteousness. 
  • Amos 6:1 – ease and security.

Series Information

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True Repentace

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God calls us to mourn over our sin. "Wake up, you drunkards, and...

What Do Shepherds Know

May 30, 2021

Shepherds know the roar of a lion means danger. "He said: The Lord roars from Zionand...