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An introduction to the book of Amos.
Amos, the prophet
who wrote the book bearing his name,
describes himself as having been a herdsman
and one who took care of sycamore figs.
Amos came from the Judean town of Tekoa,
located south of Jerusalem.
Jehovah sent Amos as a prophet
primarily to the northern kingdom of Israel.
Amos prophesied sometime within the period
from 829 to 804 B.C.E.,
during the reign of King Jeroboam II.
Amos recorded his prophecy
by about 804 B.C.E.
after he returned to Judah.
He was a contemporary of the prophets Jonah,
Joel, and Hosea.
The book of Amos has nine chapters.
Chapter 1 contains judgment messages
against a number of surrounding nations.
Chapter 2 records
pronouncements against Moab, Judah,
and the northern ten-tribe kingdom of Israel.
Chapters 3 to 6
contain a message of judgment against Israel
because of the nation’s false religious practices
and stubborn refusal to accept discipline.
Israel has adopted
a greedy, materialistic lifestyle.
Luxury-loving wives pressure their husbands
to defraud the poor and lowly.
Chapters 7 and 8
present a series of impressive visions.
Amos sees an unstoppable locust swarm
and then a destructive fire.
Next, a plumb line illustrates
how far Israel has deviated
from Jehovah’s requirements.
Finally, a basket of summer fruit
signifies that Israel’s end is near.
Did you know?
During a meeting
of the first-century governing body,
James, Jesus’ half brother,
quoted from the book of Amos
to show that Jehovah
would gather Kingdom heirs
from both Jews and Gentiles.
Chapter 9
includes Jehovah’s promise
to “raise up the booth of David,”
referring to the royal line
leading to the Messianic Kingdom.
As you read the book of Amos,
note how Jehovah uses humble people
to do important work,
how those who put faith in material things
and ignore God
will not prosper,
and how Jehovah foretells
the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom.

Introduction to Amos