Study of Amos
Prophetic Book Discovery and Reflection: Amos
INTRODUCTION TO AMOS The author reveals himself from the beginning to be Amos. Not a lot is known of Amos, we do know that he was a farmer from Tekoa which was a town about 6 miles southeast of Bethlehem and about ten miles south of Jerusalem in Judah or the southern kingdom. Located on a hill in the desert (2 Chron 11:6; 20:20), the town served as a lookout against invaders approaching Jerusalem (Jer 6:1). In 7:14–15 Amos states he was not a prophet or a son of a prophet by that we understand he was not trained up by man in the prophetic ways, but rather he was called by God to be a prophet. Amos tells us that he was a herdsman and tender of fig trees. Amos states clearly when he spoke his message, in the reigns of Uzziah of Judah (791-740 BC) and Jeroboam II of Israel (793-753 BC) But a historically verifiable earthquake happened two years after he began to preach, and so it is possible to place Amos 's ministry more precisely between about 765-760 B.C “though his home was in Judah, he was sent to announce God’s judgement on the Northern Kingdom” (NIV pg. 1337) Amos’ ministry was during a time of political peace and economic prosperity for Israel and Judah. Judah had subdued their neighbours to the south, east and west. Israel’s control of the major trade routes through the region resulted in a flourishing economic trade. As prosperous as they were, spiritually they were bare, the abundance of their society had led them to corruption, sexual immorality, idolatry and oppression of the poor were rampant part of their society. Israel continued to worship and sacrifice at Dan, Beer-sheba, Gilgal and Bethel. Yet they continue to sacrifice to God as well, and expected His covering and blessing over their nation. Stephen quotes Amos in his testimony to the Sanhedrin (Amos 5:25, Acts 7:42-43) reminding the Jews of his time of the idolatry of their forefathers. Yet throughout Amos the underlying prophetic message from
INTRODUCTION TO AMOS The author reveals himself from the beginning to be Amos. Not a lot is known of Amos, we do know that he was a farmer from Tekoa which was a town about 6 miles southeast of Bethlehem and about ten miles south of Jerusalem in Judah or the southern kingdom. Located on a hill in the desert (2 Chron 11:6; 20:20), the town served as a lookout against invaders approaching Jerusalem (Jer 6:1). In 7:14–15 Amos states he was not a prophet or a son of a prophet by that we understand he was not trained up by man in the prophetic ways, but rather he was called by God to be a prophet. Amos tells us that he was a herdsman and tender of fig trees. Amos states clearly when he spoke his message, in the reigns of Uzziah of Judah (791-740 BC) and Jeroboam II of Israel (793-753 BC) But a historically verifiable earthquake happened two years after he began to preach, and so it is possible to place Amos 's ministry more precisely between about 765-760 B.C “though his home was in Judah, he was sent to announce God’s judgement on the Northern Kingdom” (NIV pg. 1337) Amos’ ministry was during a time of political peace and economic prosperity for Israel and Judah. Judah had subdued their neighbours to the south, east and west. Israel’s control of the major trade routes through the region resulted in a flourishing economic trade. As prosperous as they were, spiritually they were bare, the abundance of their society had led them to corruption, sexual immorality, idolatry and oppression of the poor were rampant part of their society. Israel continued to worship and sacrifice at Dan, Beer-sheba, Gilgal and Bethel. Yet they continue to sacrifice to God as well, and expected His covering and blessing over their nation. Stephen quotes Amos in his testimony to the Sanhedrin (Amos 5:25, Acts 7:42-43) reminding the Jews of his time of the idolatry of their forefathers. Yet throughout Amos the underlying prophetic message from
Bibliography: The NIV Study Bible (1995) (10th Ed). Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan. Arnold, B.T., Beyer, B.E. (2008) Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey (2nd Ed). Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House Company. Paschall, H.F., Hobbs, H.H. (1972) The Teachers Bible Commentary. Nashville, Tennessee, Broadman Press. Keddie, G.J. (2000) The Lord is His Name: The Message of Amos. Welwyn, Hertfordshire, Evangelical Press. Fyall, B. (2006) Teaching Amos: Unlocking the Prophecy of Amos for the Bible Teacher. London, England, Proclamation Trust Media.