Amos was a prophet in the Old Testament of the Bible who wrote the Book of Amos. He was one of the Twelve Minor Prophets and lived in the Kingdom of Judah during the reigns of King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam II of Israel. Amos was a shepherd and fig farmer before God called him to prophesy to the northern kingdom of Israel.
Here is an overview of who Amos was and what his life and ministry teach us:
Amos Was a Shepherd and Farmer
Amos was a shepherd from the town of Tekoa in Judah (Amos 1:1). He made his living as a shepherd and tender of sycamore fig trees (Amos 7:14-15). Amos was not from a family of prophets nor did he have any sort of prophetic training. His only qualifications to speak God’s word were that God had called him and given him a message.
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’” (Amos 7:14-15)
Amos was a simple, hard-working man making a living through difficult labor. Yet God chose him to speak on His behalf, demonstrating that God can and will use ordinary people for His divine purposes.
Amos Was Called by God
Though Amos had no prophetic training, he was given a specific calling and message from God. His opening words make it clear that his prophecies came directly from the Lord:
The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa—the vision he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel. He said: “The Lord roars from Zion and thunders from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds dry up, and the top of Carmel withers.” (Amos 1:1-2)
Amos was called to prophesy during the reigns of Uzziah over Judah (792-740 BC) and Jeroboam II over Israel (793-753 BC). Though he was from Judah in the south, God sent Amos with a message primarily for the northern kingdom of Israel. His prophecies came in the form of visions from God, indicating that he received revelation directly from the Lord.
Amos Confronted Israel’s Sins
The Book of Amos records the prophecies God gave Amos to proclaim to Israel. The nation had become prosperous but had also grown complacent, idolatrous, corrupt, and indifferent to God’s laws. Amos confronted them regarding their sins:
This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not relent. They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed.” (Amos 2:6-7)
He rebuked them for oppressing the poor, indulging in immorality, idolatry, and empty religious rituals all while feeling self-assured in their wealth and military power. Amos called them to repent and renew their commitment to seeking the Lord and living by His commands.
Amos Prophesied Judgment
In addition to confronting Israel’s sin, Amos prophesied that God’s judgment was coming if they did not repent. He warned of an exile in which they would lose their land, homes, and independence:
“Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be measured and divided up, and you yourself will die in a pagan country. And Israel will surely go into exile, away from their native land.’” (Amos 7:17)
Amos called Israel to reflect the holiness and righteousness of God, caring for the marginalized and living according to God’s commands. If they continued to practice idolatry and oppression, they would face God’s judgment through exile. Tragically, Israel did not heed Amos’s warnings and was eventually conquered and scattered by the Assyrian Empire.
Key Themes in Amos
Some key themes emerge in the Book of Amos:
- God demands social justice and will judge injustice
- Religious ritual means nothing without true devotion to God
- God is sovereign over all nations
- Privilege and prosperity carry greater responsibility
- God always warns before judgment
Amos conveyed that Israel’s covenant relationship with God came with the responsibility to live according to His character and commands. God would discipline them like a father disciplines wayward children to bring them back into right relationship with Him.
Amos Faced Opposition
Not surprisingly, Amos faced opposition for his prophecies of doom. The priest of Bethel, Amaziah, told King Jeroboam that Amos was conspiring against him (Amos 7:10). Amaziah told Amos to flee to Judah and stop prophesying in Israel (Amos 7:12-13). Amos responded that he did not choose this ministry but was simply following God’s call:
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’” (Amos 7:14-15)
Though opposition tried to silence him, Amos obeyed God’s call on his life and boldly spoke the message he had been given. God’s Word proved more powerful than those who sought to suppress it.
The Earthquake in the Days of Amos
Amos referred to an earthquake that would come in his opening words (Amos 1:1). This likely foreshadowed a devastating earthquake that occurred around 750 BC during the time of Amos’s ministry:
On the same day that he killed Zechariah son of Jeroboam, King Shallum of Israel assassinated King Pekah son of Remaliah. In fact, Pekah ruled over Israel twenty years in Samaria. In the thirty-ninth year of King Azariah’s reign over Judah, Hananiah’s son Zechariah became king over Israel. He ruled for six months in Samaria. He did what the Lord considered evil, as his ancestors had done. He failed to turn away from the sins that Nebat’s son Jeroboam caused Israel to commit. In fact, he continued them. So Israel’s commander-in-chief Shallum, son of Jabesh, conspired against him, attacked him at Ibleam, and killed him. He took the throne in place of Zechariah as soon as he assassinated him. Everything else about Shallum-including his conspiracy-is written in the official records of the kings of Israel. At that time, the Lord began to send King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah, son of Remaliah of Israel, to attack Judah. They conquered Ahaz’s forces and took many Judean captives to Damascus. The Lord also let Israel defeat Judah’s army of 120,000 in one day. This happened because they had abandoned the Lord God of their ancestors. Zichri, a warrior from Ephraim, killed Judah’s King Maaseiah’s son Azrikam, palace administrator Elkanah, and Zichri’s deputy at Azrikam’s command. This happened when the Israelites took 200,000 Judean captives from their relatives-women, boys, and girls. A prophet of the Lord named Oded was there. He went out to meet the army returning to Samaria. He said to them, “The Lord God of your ancestors was angry with Judah and handed them over to you. But you slaughtered them in a rage that has reached heaven.” (2 Chronicles 28:1-9)
This massive earthquake was referenced again by the prophet Zechariah centuries later (Zechariah 14:5). It was an event etched in Israel’s memory as a time when God’s power and judgment shook the land. Amos’s prophecy came true in the form of this devastating earthquake that reflected God’s displeasure with the sins of His people.
Lessons from Amos
What can we learn from the life and message of Amos?
- God uses ordinary people. Amos was a humble shepherd, yet God used him in a mighty way.
- We cannot ignore injustice and sin. Amos boldly confronted the oppression in Israelite society.
- Religious ritual means nothing without true devotion to God.
- Judgment comes to the unrepentant. Amos warned that judgment would come if Israel did not change its ways.
- God patiently warns before acting. The Lord sent many prophets to warn Israel over generations.
- We are responsible to live out our relationship with God. Amos reminded Israel of its covenant duties.
Amos courageously declared God’s message to Israel despite opposition and rejection. His life is an inspirational example of following God’s call and speaking truth – no matter how difficult the situation.
Summary of Amos
In summary, here are key facts to know about the prophet Amos:
- He was a shepherd and fig farmer from Judah called to prophesy to Israel in the 8th century BC
- Amos received visions and prophecies directly from God though he had no prophetic background
- He condemned Israel’s sins: idolatry, oppression, greed, corruption
- Amos called Israel to repent and return to God to avoid coming judgment
- He prophesied exile for Israel if the nation did not change its ways
- Amos faced opposition from the priest of Bethel but remained faithful to God’s call
- His dire prophecies came true in the form of earthquake, exile, and captivity for Israel
Amos faithfully declared God’s message of repentance to Israel and stands as an example of following God’s calling even in the face of resistance and rejection. His message reminds all generations that God demands justice and righteousness from His people.
