Topical Bible: Prophets: Amos

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Introduction:
Amos, one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament, is a significant figure whose messages are recorded in the Book of Amos. His prophecies are primarily directed towards the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a time of relative peace and prosperity, yet marked by social injustice and religious complacency. Amos's ministry is characterized by a call for justice and righteousness, emphasizing the moral and ethical demands of the covenant with Yahweh.

Background and Historical Context:
Amos was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamore-fig trees from Tekoa, a small town in Judah, south of Jerusalem. Despite his humble origins, he was called by God to prophesy to Israel. His ministry took place during the reigns of Uzziah, king of Judah, and Jeroboam II, king of Israel, around the 8th century BC. This period was marked by economic prosperity but also by significant social inequality and religious syncretism.

Message and Themes:
The central theme of Amos's prophecy is the call for social justice and true worship. He condemns the exploitation of the poor and the perversion of justice, highlighting the disparity between the wealthy and the impoverished. Amos 5:24 famously declares, "But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." This verse encapsulates his plea for genuine righteousness and justice as integral to the life of the covenant community.

Amos also criticizes the superficial religious practices of Israel, pointing out that ritual without righteousness is meaningless. In Amos 5:21-23 , God expresses disdain for Israel's feasts and offerings, emphasizing that He desires justice and righteousness over empty rituals.

Judgment and Hope:
Amos's prophecies are filled with warnings of impending judgment due to Israel's unfaithfulness. He foresees the destruction of Israel and the exile of its people as a consequence of their sins. Amos 3:2 states, "You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities." This highlights the covenantal relationship and the responsibilities that come with being God's chosen people.

Despite the harsh messages of judgment, Amos also offers a glimmer of hope. In the closing verses of his book, Amos 9:11-15 , he speaks of the restoration of the fallen tent of David and the future blessings for Israel. This promise of restoration points to God's enduring faithfulness and the hope of redemption.

Legacy and Influence:
Amos's emphasis on social justice and ethical monotheism has had a lasting impact on both religious and secular thought. His call for justice and righteousness continues to resonate, challenging believers to live out their faith in tangible ways. The Book of Amos serves as a powerful reminder of the moral and ethical dimensions of the covenant relationship with God, urging a commitment to justice, mercy, and true worship.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Amos 1:1
The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Amos 7:14,15
Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdsman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prefaces to the Commentaries on the Minor Prophets.
... Prophets adopted by the LXX. and the Hebrew respectively, the Hebrew order being
that now in use. It also gives the etymological meaning of their names. Amos. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/prefaces to the commentaries on.htm

Of the Times of the Prophets Whose Oracles are Contained in Books ...
... [1149] Isaiah the son of Amos"either the ... But we can find the date of these two prophets
in the chronicles, [1152] not in their own writings, for they say ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 27 of the times of.htm

Amos
... AMOS. Amos, the first of the literary prophets, is also one of the greatest.
Hosea may be more tender, Isaiah more serenely majestic ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/amos.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... Hebrew prophets, except such as are embodied in the historical books; for Hosea,
Joel, and Amos, at least, are older than Isaiah, and the three prophets of the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

It is Proved from the Prophets that the Passion and Death of ...
... And the prophets had predicted that all these things would thus come to pass. ... says:
[1541] "And they shall look on me whom they pierced." Amos [1542] thus ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xlvi it is proved from.htm

The Title of the Book.
... servants things which must shortly come to pass;" for "surely the Lord God doeth
nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets," Amos 3:7 ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the title of the book.htm

Messianic Predictions in the Prophets.
... touched upon by Hosea, Joel, and Amos, they, therefore, did not know them, is shown
by the fact that neither do several among the later prophets"as Jeremiah ...
/.../christology of the old testament/messianic predictions in the prophets.htm

Of the Subject to whom the Key of Authority is Committed.
... prophesie, (as the Prophets of Israel) or were set apart, and trained up, to prepare
for such a calling, as the sons of the Prophets. When Amos was forbidden ...
/.../the keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof/chap v of the subject.htm

Introductory Letter.
... iv.18.) In fine, so narrow is the way which leads unto life, that the Lord, speaking
by the prophets Amos and Zachariah, calls those who are to be saved brands ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/introductory letter.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... That which is common to Amos with the contemporary prophets, is the absolute clearness
with which he foresees that, before salvation comes, all that is glorious ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm