How does Amos 1:1 connect to other prophets' calls in the Old Testament? Setting the Scene: Amos 1:1 “The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa — what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Joash was king of Israel.” • A rural shepherd from Tekoa, south of Jerusalem • Ministry dated precisely: during overlapping reigns of Uzziah (Judah) and Jeroboam II (Israel) • Marked by a memorable natural disaster (“the earthquake”) Common Threads with Other Prophetic Calls • Divine Initiative – “The word of the LORD came to” Hosea (Hosea 1:1), Joel (Joel 1:1), Jonah (Jonah 1:1) – Amos likewise speaks because God’s word interrupts ordinary life. • Historical Anchoring – Isaiah’s call: “In the year that King Uzziah died” (Isaiah 6:1) – Jeremiah: “In the thirteenth year of Josiah” (Jeremiah 1:2) – Micah: “In the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah” (Micah 1:1) – Amos uses Uzziah and Jeroboam II, giving the audience a concrete context for judgment. • Vocational Diversity – Amos: shepherd and dresser of sycamore figs (Amos 7:14–15) – Elisha: farmer (1 Kings 19:19) – Ezekiel: priest-turned-prophet (Ezekiel 1:3) – God consistently reaches into varied walks of life to raise His messengers. Distinctive Features of Amos’s Call • The Earthquake Time-Stamp – Zechariah later recalls “the earthquake in the days of Uzziah” (Zechariah 14:5), confirming its notoriety. – This detail underscores Amos’s credibility: he is an eyewitness of judgment-signs. • Shepherd-Prophet Contrast – Unlike palace-bred Isaiah or priestly Jeremiah, Amos steps straight out of pastureland, highlighting God’s sovereign freedom to use “ordinary” believers. • Vision-Oriented Revelation – “What he saw concerning Israel” points to a series of visions (locusts, fire, plumb line, etc., Amos 7–9), paralleling but differing from Isaiah’s temple vision and Ezekiel’s throne-chariot vision. Key Parallels and Contrasts at a Glance • Isaiah 6 — Heavenly throne vision; priestly context; national sin exposed. • Jeremiah 1 — Youthful reluctance; divine touch on the mouth; nations uprooted. • Ezekiel 1–3 — Captivity setting; overwhelming glory; watchman role. • Amos 1 — Pastoral setting; seismic warning; justice for surrounding nations and Israel alike. Takeaway Connections • A single unifying pattern: “The word of the LORD” breaks into time and space, whether temple, palace, exile camp, or sheepfold. • Historical markers authenticate the message, showing God’s dealings in real events. • The variety of call narratives highlights God’s consistent purpose yet creative methods—affirming that the same Lord who spoke in Amos 1:1 speaks reliably and authoritatively throughout Scripture. |
    |