What makes Amos special?

Amos wasn’t a professional prophet like the members of a prophetic guild (1 Sam 19.18-24) or those who served the king (1 Chr 21.9; 25.5). He was a farmer who raised sheep (1.1) and took care of fig trees (7.14) near the small town of Tekoa, located south of Jerusalem in the southern kingdom (Judah). But the Lord gave Amos messages to preach to the people and leaders of the northern kingdom (Israel).

Although Israel had many prophets before the time of Amos (1 Sam 9.9-13; 2 Sam 12), his prophecies are thought to be the first to be written down and preserved as a book of the Bible.

Why was Amos written?

Amos was sent to tell the people of Israel that the Lord was going to punish them, because the rich and powerful people of the country were robbing the poor and treating them unjustly. Also, many of the people and their priests worshiped other gods besides the Lord at new worship places built by Israel’s kings. Amos preached his messages at the city of Bethel (7.10), where Israel’s Jeroboam I had earlier built a worship place (1 Kgs 12.25—13.10). Amos’ message also included words of judgment against several countries that were neighbors of Israel and Judah.

What’s the story behind the scene?

The first verse of the book says that Amos preached during the time Uzziah was king in Judah (781-740 B.C.) and Jeroboam II was king of Israel (786-746 B.C.). It is not clear which earthquake he is referring to in the same verse, but it may be one that happened in 760 B.C. So, Amos likely preached his message for about one year somewhere between 762 and 750 B.C. Jeroboam II ruled Israel during a fairly peaceful time. Without having to worry about a major military threat, Israel became a fairly wealthy nation. Many people became rich, built fancy homes (3.15), and had all they wanted to eat and drink (4.1). But the rich people did not use their wealth or influence to help others. Instead they were greedy for more, so they cheated honest people and made the poor pay heavy taxes. The people continued to celebrate the religious festivals, but the Lord grew tired of their insincere rituals. What the Lord really wanted them to do was to treat others with justice and fairness, and to be faithful to the Lord alone.

How is Amos constructed?

Amos can be divided into two main sections: The first section (1.1—6.14) includes Amos’ messages of judgment against Israel and neighboring nations. The second section (7.1—9.15) includes Amos’ visions, which tell of the Lord’s coming judgment against Israel, and also describes a future time when the Lord would help Israel rebuild its kingdom and prosper once again (9.11-15).

Messages of judgment against Israel and its neighbors (1.1—6.14)

• Amos preaches against Israel’s neighbors (1.1—2.5)
• Amos announces the Lord’s judgment against Israel (2.6—6.14)

Visions of Israel’s punishment and renewal (7.1—9.15)

• The Punishment Visions (7.1—9.10)
• The Lord will rebuild Israel (9.11-15)

Messages of Judgment Against Israel and Its Neighbors

Amos, the shepherd farmer from Judah, goes to Israel to preach the Lord’s messages of judgment against Israel and its neighbors, including Judah. The nations are to be punished because their ancestors treated the Israelite people badly in the past. Israel will be punished because the nation’s rich and powerful people are taking advantage of the poor and worshiping foreign gods.

Amos Preaches against Israel’s Neighbors

Amos Announces the Lord’s Judgment against Israel

The longest of Amos’ judgment messages is against Israel, whose wealthy and powerful people are being greedy and using their power to cheat the poor.

Visions of Israel’s Punishment and Renewal

The Punishment Visions

In spite of Amos’ prayers, the Lord will destroy Israel because of its wicked ways.

The Lord Will Rebuild Israel

Amos’ messages of doom are followed by this message of hope for a new beginning.

Questions about Amos 1.1—6.14

1. What does 1.1 tell about who Amos was? What was Amos supposed to do with what the Lord gave him? What was unusual about Amos being chosen by the Lord? Some additional information about Amos is given in 7.12-15. How does this add to your understanding of who Amos was?

2. For what reasons did the Lord judge many of the nations bordering Israel? (1.3—2.3)

3. What was the relationship between Israel and Judah at the time of Amos’ preaching? See the Introduction to Amos and various notes.

4. For what reasons did Amos preach the Lord’s words of judgment against Israel? (2.6—6.14) How would Israel be punished?

5. How does the following statement connect with Amos’ message to the people of Israel: “Being chosen means being judged”? Which of the following words do you think is closest to the idea of being chosen—privilege, task, or commitment? Why?

6. After reading the first six chapters of Amos, how would you define the kind of “justice” the Lord wants? What pictures of this kind of justice come to mind?

7. Where do you see examples of true justice in today’s world? Where do you see injustice?

Questions about Amos 7.1—9.15

1. What did Amos see in the first four visions of the Lord’s judgment against Israel? (7.1—8.3) How did the first two visions differ from the last two visions?

2. Who was Amaziah, and why did he tell Amos to stop preaching in Israel? (7.10-13) How did Amos respond to Amaziah’s request? (7.14-17)

3. Why were the rich grain merchants impatient during the Sabbath and New Moon Festival? (8.4-6) What affect did their dishonest business practices have on their country and its people? How did the Lord respond to these practices? (8.7-14; 9.1-4)

4. What, if anything, is surprising about the last verses of the book? (9.11-15) Why is it difficult to live without hope?

5. Has your understanding or picture of God changed by reading Amos? If so, how? Name two new things you have learned while reading and studying Amos? In what way are these things important for you?