AMOS - INTRODUCTION

 

Amos

1:1

The prophet Amos was a shepherd, or sheep breeder, before becoming a prophet. He was from Tekoa, a small town in Judah south of Jerusalem. 

By the time Amos came along, the kingdom of Israel had split into Judah, the southern kingdom, and Israel, the northern kingdom of 10 tribes. 

Amos prophesied during the overlapping reigns of Jeroboam II in Israel (793–753) and Uzziah (Azariah): 767–740 BC in Judah (792–740). His ministry is believed to have occurred sometime between 760 and 755 BC, but there is no conclusive evidence of that in the text. He would have overlapped for a short time with the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 1:1)

His prophecy was “two yers before the earthquake”. This must have been a major earthquake to become a time marker. It is also mentioned in Zechariah 14:5, which speaks of people fleeing from it. Unfortunately, no date is attached to it other than during the reign of King Uzziah.  

Amos’ prophecies are directed primarily against Israel although he was from Judah. God may have given him visions, as the text said he “saw” them rather than heard them. 

Amos prophesied at a unique time in the history of the divided kingdom. From approximately 780 to 750, Egypt, Syria, and Assyria did not pose a serious threat to Israel. 

During this time, Jeroboam II was able to expand the borders of Israel, and his successes created economic prosperity for many and a sense of security as well. 

During these years, Israel prospered, and a powerful and wealthy upper class emerged who exploited the poor and perverted justice. These wealthy Israelites were confident and secure. So, Amos preached to an affluent society that was deeply involved in false worship, sexual immorality, and mistreatment of the poor, all of which were violations of the covenant.

The Lord Speaks

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The opening proclamation of the prophet’s message serves as a theme verse for the entire book: “The LORD roars from Zion”. This imagery depicts God as a roaring lion, signifying that judgment is approaching and that the land itself will tremble due to the sins of the people. 

This is a “curse announcement”. It is a reference to the covenant curses of wild animals being released against them when they rebel against God. (Leviticus 26:22; ; Deuteronomy 32:24) Here, however, the curse will be carried out by God himself, making it even more terrible. 

Notice also that God speaks from Zion\Jerusalem. That is where the temple was located, where God’s presence resided. It was the place God designated for worship. 

But Israel did not worship in Jerusalem after the tribes split. The first king of the northern kingdom, Jereboam I, built two altars, one in Bethel in the south and Dan in the north. He made two golden calves, one for each location, and proclaimed them to be Israel’s gods. (1 Kings 12:28)

Jereboam also built temples on high places and appointed priests that were not levites. He created a new, but false, religion and priesthood to serve it. He did all this to prevent his people from going to Jerusalem to worship and wanting to reunite with Judah. 

Upon making the Golden calves, Jereboam said something terrible. He said: “Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt”. (1 Kings 12:28) These were almost the exact words of Aaron after he built the original golden calf. (Exodus 32:4) You would think, knowing this story and the wrath Israel incurred as a result, the people would have revolted. But they did not. 

Thus, he plunged  Israel into idol worship. 

Amos, the prophet of God, immediately shows that the one and only true God still resides in Jerusalem and speaks judgment from there.

Next, the Lord speaks a series of judgments, first against the nations around Israel and Judah for the things they have done against God’s people. There are six oracles against the nations. He concludes then with judgments against Judah and Israel.

Each of these judgment begins with the words “Thus says the LORD”, meaning that Amos is acting as a messenger, speaking the exact words spoken by God. 

Each judgment also has a formula saying the countries are judged for three transgressions and for four. Amos uses this rhetorical, numerical phrase to indicate that the sins of the nations have overflowed, making punishment inevitable. So, it is not exactly four transgressions, but many transgressions.

 And the declaration of punishment is irrevocable.