The divided kingdom · c. 760–750 BC
Amos in the Bible
The shepherd who demanded justice. Name meaning: “Burden-bearer,” the usual sense of the Hebrew Amos; not to be confused with Amoz, the father of Isaiah
A shepherd from Tekoa, Amos is neither a professional prophet nor the son of one: the LORD takes him from behind his flock and sends him to prophesy in Israel, in the days of Jeroboam, son of Joash. He announces judgment on the neighboring nations, on Judah, and above all on Israel, whose dazzling festivals hide injustice toward the poor. Ordered out of Bethel by the priest Amaziah, he stands firm, and his book ends with a promise: God will raise up the house of David.
Key moments
- A shepherd from Tekoa receives visions about Israel Amos 1:1
- Eight sentences: “for three transgressions… and for four” Amos 1:3
- He denounces those who sell the poor for a pair of shoes Amos 2:6
- “Let judgment run down as waters” Amos 5:24
- He intercedes twice: “O Lord God, forgive!” Amos 7:2
- Amaziah orders him out of Bethel Amos 7:12–13
- “I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son” Amos 7:14
- God promises to raise up the house of David Amos 9:11
Strengths
- Courage
- Bluntness
- Thirst for justice
- Compassion for the poor
- Intercession
Weaknesses
The Bible notes no personal fault in Amos. His difficulty lies elsewhere: his message of judgment is poorly received, and the priest Amaziah wants to send him back to Judah (7:12-13); the LORD himself observes that the people have not returned to him despite his warnings (4:6-11).
Lessons for today
- God has no need of titles: he takes a shepherd from behind his flock to speak to a nation (Amos 7:14-15).
- Dazzling worship is worth nothing without justice: God wants righteousness to flow “as a mighty stream” (Amos 5:21-24).
- The more we have received from God, the more we are accountable: “You only have I known… therefore I will punish you” (Amos 3:2).
- The prophet pleads for his people before he judges them: “O Lord God, forgive!” (Amos 7:2, 5), and in the end God keeps a promise of restoration (Amos 9:11).
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
People around Amos
- Amaziah — Priest of Bethel, who accuses him before the king and orders him to leave
- Jeroboam, son of Joash — King of Israel at the time of his prophecy
- Uzziah — King of Judah at the time of his prophecy
- Hosea — A prophet to Israel in the same period, during Jeroboam’s reign (Hos 1:1)
- James — Quotes his promise about David’s tent at the council in Jerusalem
Quiz: how well do you know Amos?
Of which town was Amos one of the herdmen?
The book opens with “The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa.” Anathoth was Jeremiah’s town, and Gath-hepher was Jonah’s. Amos 1:1
During the reign of which king of Israel did Amos receive his visions?
His visions date “in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel.” Amos 1:1
Who was the priest of Bethel who ordered Amos to leave?
Amaziah, priest of Bethel, told Amos, “go, flee thee away into the land of Judah… prophesy not again any more at Bethel.” Amos 7:10–13
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