Background: This prophet came from the Southern Kingdom but worked in the Northern Kingdom slightly earlier than Hosea.
In ch1,2 he speaks of God’s Judgment on the surrounding nations but also on the complacent Northern Kingdom.
In ch3 he announces that God has broken off the covenant agreement with his people in the Northern Kingdom and the few chs. shows why: oppression, social injustice, religious hypocrisy.
5 visions (7-9) show that there is still time to turn back to God, but in the last 2 visions punishment is inevitable. A hope for something beyond God’s judgment is expressed in the last few verses. 9Chs
Author: Amos
Date and Location: He prophesied during the reigns of Jeroboam II (793-753) and southern King Uzziah (790-740), 2yrs before the earthquake. Josephus dates the earthquake at the time of Uzziah’s apostasy c.750 (2K15:1-7). Amos prophesied at Bethel (1K12:25-33) and may have ministered at North capital of Samaria. Probably compiled and recorded at Bethal, Jerusalem, or Tekoa, perhaps shortly after the earthquake.
Recipients: Though concerning about the whole of Jacob, his message mainly for North kingdom during its idolatry at Bethel (7)
Purpose: Calling for repentance of
*Outward actions (violence, social injustice and idolatry)
*inward attitudes (Pride and heartless worship)
*Amid his denunciations, Am. Proclaim the coming Messianic Age
Unique Features:
*Only prophet called from one part of the divide kingdom to prophecy in the other part
*Am shows that an effective minister of God does not need any prescribed level of education or social; he/she needs only a call from God (7:14, 15)
Comparison: see Joel
Abbreviations: Amo./ Am
MV: Pride, Pr16:18
Bib1Yr:Jn10Parables
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