The book of Amos, the superscript tells us, was composed by Amos of Tekoa in the mid-eighth century B.C. Although from Judah, Amos directed his message against the aristocratic and priestly upper-classes of Samaria and Bethel. Israel at this time, during the reign of Jeroboam II, was in the midst of a misleading period of prosperity and military power. Deceived by their affluence and territorial expansion, the Israelites supposed that God was on their side and that the good times would