Amos wrote this book when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam II was king in Israel (786-746 BC). Amos was a poor shepherd from Tekoa in Judah (1:1 ).
The book contains the prophetic message
that Amos got to Israel - the Northern Kingdom - because of their sins. Amos
began to rebuke the sins of the neighboring nations around Israel. They have
killed pregnant women to expand borders (1:13 ) and sold the righteous people
for money (2:6). Amos chastised Israel for refusing to follow God's guidance
and let themselves lead away by neighboring peoples idols (2:4 ). He also
criticizes the rich who oppressed poor people. "You step down and humble people require grains in charge of
them" ( 5:11 ).
Amos is very clear in his speech, saying
that no one should get away with the injustice they have done. He writes that
even if they are hiding on a mountain top or on the bottom of the ocean, God
will find them ( 9:1-4 ) .
What does this book show about the character and
nature of God?
God is a merciful
and full of love to Israel, and
even though the book is much about punishment for sin, it is not God's desire
to punish evil, but to ward off evil. Therefore prophesies Amos: "Now this is what the Lord says to the
family of Israel: Come back to me and live!” (5:4).
In 5:11 we read about the restoration of
Israel, and the Lord says “In that day I
will restore the fallen House of David”. It is He who will restore. This points to Jesus’ act of salvation and
there is no requires any longer - God is just showing His righteousness and
that He is full of grace.
What does this book show about God’s redemptive
plan for mankind?
I 5:15 we find that Amos
says if the people love what is good and turn their courts into true halls of
justice, perhaps the Lord will have mercy in the remnant of Joseph. But not
just the remnant of Joseph, because God has always preserved a remnant of His
people. In Rom. 9:22-27 we find that this also comes to us – the Gentiles.
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