Introduction to Amos

The prophet Amos rebukes injustice wherever it is found—even among God’s chosen people. Amos mostly presents oracles of judgment and disaster, but these end with a promise: After judgment, God will restore Israel. Amos calls on God’s people to repent of their sin against Him and others.

Background

Although Amos appears toward the middle of the Prophetic books, he is likely the earliest of the “writing prophets” (that is, prophets who have biblical books named after them). Amos came from the town of Tekoa in Judah and had a brief prophetic ministry directed at the northern kingdom of Israel during the reigns of King Jeroboam II in Israel and King Uzziah (Azariah) in Judah (the southern kingdom). Both kings reigned from the 780s to the 740s. Amos’ ministry probably dates somewhat later in their reigns, perhaps sometime between 760 and 750 bc.

While Jeroboam II did evil in the northern kingdom of Israel, leading God’s people astray (2 Kgs 14:24), Uzziah in the southern kingdom of Judah did what was right in Yahweh’s eyes—for a time (2 Kgs 15:3; 2 Chr 26). Uzziah had a fruitful reign until his strength led to pride, and his pride to his downfall (2 Chr 26:16–21). Within this context, Amos speaks his words of truth.

Amos was not a professional prophet and did not come from a prophetic background. He was a shepherd and likely was the owner of his flock, not merely a hired hand. He also tended sycamore figs (Amos 1:1; 7:14–15). Little else is known about him.

Structure

The book of Amos can be divided into three sections. The first (Amos 1–2) briefly introduces the prophet and conveys eight messages of judgment, each introduced with a phrase stating the words belong to Yahweh. The first six messages condemn foreign nations for injustice and oppression (Amos 1:3–2:3). The seventh tells of judgment against Judah for rejecting God’s law (Amos 2:4–5), while the eighth message—the longest—takes aim at Israel (Amos 2:6–16). The kingdom is judged for injustice, sexual immorality, and rejection of God’s guidance, including a rejection of his prophets.

The second section (Amos 3–6) includes three messages of judgment introduced by a command to hear this word. These messages are all directed at the northern kingdom of Israel. Amos accuses them of oppressing the poor (e.g., Amos 4:1; 5:11) and worshiping improperly, especially at the wrong place—Bethel, rather than Yahweh’s ordained place of Jerusalem in Judah (e.g., Amos 4:4–5). King Jeroboam II of Israel, and most of the kings of Israel before him, encouraged worship of Yahweh at Bethel rather than Jerusalem—this politically motivated decision was tantamount to heresy. But despite the words of rebuke and discipline, Israel refused to turn back to God (e.g., Amos 4:6–11).

The third section of Amos (Amos 7–9) presents three visions of the judgment that awaits Israel. Between the first and second visions, a brief narrative episode tells of a priest from Bethel who attempts to stop Amos from prophesying in Israel (Amos 7:10–17). Here, we see the pitiful effects of the disunity among God’s people, created from selfish ambition and spurred by the separation of worship sites. The third vision tells of what will come after judgment (Amos 9:11–15).

Outline

• Indictments against the nations, Judah, and Israel (Amos 1:1–2:16)

• Judgment on Israel (Amos 3:1–6:14)

• Visions of judgment and restoration (Amos 7:1–9:15)

Themes

Amos focuses on God’s concern for justice. The nations surrounding Israel are judged and will suffer for their oppressive actions. However, contrary to what the Israelites might have expected, their position as God’s chosen people will not protect them from disaster. In fact, their relationship with God sets a higher standard for them (Amos 3:1–2). If they persist in their injustice, they will suffer just like the other nations (Amos 6:1–3, 11–14).

Amos also critiques the people of Israel for improper worship. Their rituals are worthless if the worshipers do not also seek justice (Amos 5:21–24). In addition, Israel’s worship involves improper sacrifices (such as leavened bread) being offered at improper worship sites (such as Bethel and Gilgal; Amos 4:4–5). Amos’ warnings of judgment do not merely proclaim disaster; they also invite repentance.

The message of Amos is a call to reflect on our interactions with other people. Regardless of our place in the world, all of us enjoy some degree of privilege over others, and we need God to help us recognize how our attitudes and behaviors might be unfair, unjust, or even oppressive. Without committed action that advances God’s justice, anything we do to worship Him will amount to an empty ritual. But when we turn to God in repentance and seek His ways, we will encounter His transforming presence dwelling among us. This is the promise in the closing images of Amos: God will lift up His people and give them a beautiful and fruitful future (Amos 9:11–15).

Further Reading

The Minor Prophets

Amos, Book of CLBD

Amos the Prophet CLBD