READ IT! - Introduction to Amos 1-3

Introduction to Amos 1-3

Background 

The Book of Amos is one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament. We don’t know a lot about Amos, but we do know that he prophesied in the north in Israel in locations like Bethel, and that he was a shepherd and dresser of sycamore trees from the town of Tekoa in Judah, and he frequently references and mentions scenes from his country life. 

Amos prophesied During the reigns of Uzziah (aka Azariah) in the southern kingdom and Jeroboam II in the northern kingdom. Amos is usually dated between 760 and 750 B.C., which is after Jeroboam’s military successes in Gilead and before the rise of Tiglath-Pileser III. Amos prophesied from approximately “two years before the earthquake” to “two years after the earthquake.” 

This was during a time in which Israel was at the height of its power politically, but the people were spiritually and morally corrupt, constantly forgetting about God, and the rich and powerful were oppressing the poor. 

Other than the few facts we already mentioned about Amos, not much is known about him. Most of the dates of when he prophesied are speculation. However, one of the issues he probably dealt with was that fact that he was a southerner preaching change to a well-off northern kingdom. Amos… is usually pictured as a blunt rustic, compared with intellectual urbanites. It’s possible that he was even beaten for his message. 

In short, Amos teaches us about the power of God, and what it means to have a healthy fear of him. Amos teaches us that God can use anyone. Amos was just a shepherd with no formal schooling, but God was able to use him to bring his message to the people of Israel. God can use anyone. 

So what was it about his message that got the northerners so riled up? 

Well, God was planning on destroying Israel because they refused to repent of their social injustice. 

Chapters 1-2 

God’s primary role in the book of Amos is to be the judge and the executioner of those who have refused to obey the standards of justice. 

The LORD says: "I will punish Damascus. The remnant of the Philistines shall perish. I will send fire upon Tyre, Edom and Ammon." 

Many verses in the book portray God killing, destroying, or sending fire and plagues among His people. 

God says, "I will send fire upon Moab and Judah. I will punish Israel. They sell the poor for a pair of sandals. The mighty shall flee naked." 

So what are we supposed to learn from Amos’s message? 

Well, something that still applies today is the issue of social injustice. And Amos would have us believe that God thinks that the sins of His people are worse than the sins of others because His people ought to know better. 

Chapter 3 

Amos writes, “Does a lion roar when it has no prey? The LORD reveals his plans to the prophets. ‘On the day I punish Israel, I will punish Bethel.’”