S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Author: Amos 1:1 identifies the author of the Book of Amos as the Prophet Amos.Date of Writing: The Book of Amos was likely written between 760 and 753 B.C.Purpose of Writing: Amos is a shepherd an...

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November 15 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Appelt

Amos was a sheep raiser who also dressed sycamore figs, Amos 1:1, 7:14, which entailed making small gashes on the top of the fruit to hasten ripening to a sweeter fruit. A common man, Amos prophesied in the days of King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam (II) of Israel two years before the great earthquake, Amos 1:1, Zechariah 14:5, possibly alluded to in Amos 3:14, 6:11, 8:8 and 9:1. 

The names of the writing prophets of the Bible seem to correlate with the books they wrote. For example, Isaiah means “salvation of the Lord,” Zechariah means “the Lord remembers,” names that match their books. Amos means “burden-bearer,” which seems to be the theme of the book. 

Amos carried a big load in the powerful messages of denouncing sin and announcing judgment, Amos 1:2. In Amos 1-2, he systematically addresses the surrounding foreign nations of Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and Moab of their sins. Then he narrows in toward Judah, and last of all, targets the main culprit Israel (the northern kingdom), to which the repeated formula of “for three transgressions of… and for four,” (full and more than full) specifically fits. 

The heavy weight of Israel’s sins pressed down like an overloaded wagon, Amos 2:13. Although Israel had a unique relationship as God’s chosen people, Amos 3:1-2, the leaders oppressed and exploited the people economically, Amos 5:11-12, while indulging in luxury, Amos 4:1. Five times God said, “Yet you have not returned to Me,” Amos 4:6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and then pronounced, “Prepare to meet your God, O Israel,” Amos 4:12.

Though religious, their hearts were not right, and hypocrisy was blatant, Amos 5:21-24. Also, Israel’s worship of the host of heaven and idolatry provoked God and was worthy of judgment, Amos 5:25-27, which Stephen cited in his speech, Acts 7:42-43. 

After the plagues of locusts and of fire, Amos pled to God for Israel because of the smallness of “Jacob,” as if the hardship was too great for them, Amos 7:1-6. 

In Amos 7:10-11, Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel, accusing Amos of conspiracy. He claimed the land was not able to bear his words as if they were burdensome on them. But the prophecies of Amos were actually more than the leaders could bear, so that they drove Amos away from Bethel, Amos 7:10-13. But Amos had the last word, Amos 7:14-17.

God promised complete judgment, Amos 9:1-10, but also promised Israel would experience abundant blessings, Amos 9:11-15. Amos 9:11-12 is mentioned by James at the great Jerusalem Council, Acts 15:13-18, to show the Gentiles, after a time, would be accepted on the basis of their faith in the Lord. They need not be troubled or burdened with Jewish laws, but they were requested to abstain from certain things, Acts 15:28-29. 

True to his name meaning “burden,” Amos spoke about the burden of sin and judgment upon the people of Israel, but also about the blessings to come.

June 17 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report