In this vision, Amos saw the Lord preparing to punish the people of Israel using fire.

The fire burnt up the great ocean under the earth and had started to burn up the land. This signified that there would be a grand drought.

Amos again turned to and pleaded with the sovereign Lord to change His mind. He still believed that Israel was too small and weak to survive and to be punished in such a way.

The Lord listened to Amos' plea and withdrew His threats on Israel with a promise that it would never happen.

The Vision of Plumb Line (7:7-9)

Amos saw the Lord standing beside the wall that had been built with the help of a plumb line. He saw the lord holding a plumb line in his hand.

According Amos, the Lord asked him what he was seeing to which he responded to say that it was a plumb line.

The Lord told Amos that he was using the plumb line to show that his people were like the wall out of the line. This signified that the people of Israel had rebelled and disobeyed God

The Lord assured Amos that he was now determined to punish His people. He would no longer change his mind as he had done before.

Besides, the Lord declared that the places of worship for the descendants of Isaac would be destroyed.

In addition, the holy places of Israel would be left in ruins and the dynasty of Jeroboam II would be brought to an end.

In this vision, Amos chose to remain silent. He realized the seriousness of the sins of the people of Israel and the determination of the Lord to punish His own people.

The Vision of a Basket of Fruits (Amos 8:1- 3)

In this vision, Amos saw a basketful of fruits when the Lord asked him what he was seeing.

The Lord told Amos that the end had come for His people and therefore, He would not change His mind again about punishing them.

Accordingly, on the day of the punishment, the songs in the palace would become cries of mourning.

The Lord continued to say that there would be dead bodies everywhere. This would be to the extent that they would be thrown out in silence.

THE VISION OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE (9: 1 - 5)

Amos saw the Lord standing by the altar giving a command to him to strike the top of the temple pillars so that it could shake and fall on to the worshippers. This suggests that the Israelites were in the temple.

Besides, the Lord declared that those who would survive dying in the temple would be killed in war. This meant that there would be no point of survival for the people of Israel.

The Lord continued to assure Amos of His determination to destroy His own people. Accordingly, the no one would get away and neither would anyone escape.

The Lord revealed to Amos that He would search for Israel where ever they hide. "Even if they dig their way down to the world of the dead, I will catch them". They would climb up to heaven but the lord would bring them down.

Besides, the lord declared that even if the people would climb Mt. Carmel, he would search for them and catch them.

For those who would hide from Him at the bottom of the sea, the Lord would command the sea monsters to bite them.

The Lord said that for those who would be taken into captivity by the enemies, He would order them to be put to death for He was determined to kill them all.

Revision Questions

1.          Comment on the call or the vision of Amos.

2.          Explain the relevance of Amos' call or vision to Christians today

•              Christians should be ready for God's judgement and punishment.

•              Christians should pray for forgiveness on behalf of sinners

•              Christians should repent their sins

•              Christians should forgive those who sin against them

•              Christians should accept the conditions they find themselves in.

•              Christians should respect God's decisions

•              Christians should fulfill their promise

•              Christians should be faithful while serving the Lord

•              Christians should seek protection from God

•              Christians should be ready to meet God anywhere

•              Christians should listen to religious leaders