Amos: God's Country Preacher


  1. A Look at the Book
    1. About the Author
      1. His name means "burden bearer."
      2. His message was one of warning about the impending judgment of God for the sins of the people.
      3. A herdsman of Tekoa (1:1) and a gatherer of wild figs (7:14)
      4. Called from the field - "the Lord God took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said to me, 'Go, prophesy unto My people Israel" (7:15).
      5. Contemporaries
        1. Elisha -- 2 Kings 13:20
        2. Jonah -- 2 Kings 14:25
        3. Hosea -- 2 Kings 14:23 - 18:8


    2. About the Book
      1. Probably written after Amos returned to Tekoa from Israel.
      2. The book begins with a collection of pronouncements against Israel, Judah, and the nations round about:
        1. pronouncement against Damascus (Syria) - 1:3-5
        2. pronouncement against Gaza (Philistia) - 1:6-8
        3. pronouncement against Tyre (Phoenicia) - 1:9-10
        4. pronouncement against Edom - 1:11-12
        5. pronouncement against Ammon - 1:13-15
        6. pronouncement against Moab - 2:1-3
        7. pronouncement against Judah - 2:4-5
        8. pronouncement against Israel - 2:6-8
      3. "for three transgressions . . . and for four" = for enough and more than enough
      4. There are also visions in chapters 7 & 8
      5. The book closes with a promise of restoration (9:11-15)
      6. Claims of Inspiration
        1. "(Thus) saith the Lord" = 40 times in 146 verses
        2. 3:1 "Hear this word which the Lord has spoken against you."
        3. "The Lord (he) shewed me" (7:1, 4, 7; 8:1)
    3. Date of Writing & Setting
      1. @ 760 B.C. -- Concurrent with the reigns of Jeroboam II in Israel and Uzziah in Judah -- 1:1 (cf 2 Kings 14:23-29)
      2. Israel had been restored to greatness by Jeroboam II, but they were spiritually bankrupt:
        1. they mistreated the poor - 2:6; 4:1
        2. they were materialistic and idolatrous - 3:13-15
        3. they profaned the Nazarites - 2:11-12
        4. they disregarded & sought to silence the true prophets - 2:12
        5. they were immoral and corrupt - 2:7-8; 5:7, 12
        6. they worshiped to please themselves & not God - 4:4-5
        7. as such their worship was only noise - 5:21-23


  2. Key Passages & Lessons for Today
      1. 3:3 -- "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
      2. 4:4 -- "Come to Bethel and transgress."
      3. 4:11 -- 'I have plucked you out of the fire, and ye have not returned unto Me.'
      4. 4:12 -- "Prepare to meet thy God."
      5. 6:5 -- David's instruments
      6. 7:7-8 -- the plumbline in Israel
      7. 8:12 -- a famine in the land
      8. 9:11-12 -- the tabernacle of David (cf Acts 15:13-17)