Amos (Biblical)
Amos was a shepherd and a native of Tekoa, which was 12 miles south of Jerusalem. He was a prophet who prophesied in the days of Uzziah, King of Judah and Jeroboam II, King of Israel. This was a time of comparative wealth and peace in Israel and Judah. However, all did not share in this prosperity. Some became very rich through disrespect to the laws of the Lord while others became poorer. In addition, most of the nation, including the kings, participated in idol worship, and very few were keeping the commandments.
Amos was called to be a prophet during this time and bore the message of destruction that was soon to come to the disobedient and the idolatrous. The book of Amos is a compilation of the prophet's teachings and is well-organized and articulate, the language is some of the most poetic in the Bible.
His message was and is powerful in teaching gospel principles, and the judgments of God upon the proud. His teachings by chapter are as follows:
Amos 1—Amos shows the Lord’s judgments upon Syria, the Philistines, Tyre, Edom, and Ammon.
Amos 2—The Lord will pour out judgments upon Moab, Judah, and Israel for their unrighteousness.
Amos 3—The Lord revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets—Because of Israel’s rejection of prophets, and espousal of evil, the nation is overwhelmed by an adversary.
Amos 4—The Lord withholds rain, sends famine and pestilence, and destroys gardens and vineyards as judgments upon his people, yet they do not return unto the Lord.
Amos 5—Israel exhorted to seek the Lord and do good that they may live—Their sacrifices to false gods are abhorrent.
Amos 6—Woe to them that are at ease in Zion—Israel shall be plagued with desolation.
Amos 7—Amos relates how he was called of God to be a prophet—He prophesies the captivity of Israel.
Amos 8—Amos prophesies the downfall of Israel—There will be a famine of hearing the word of the Lord.
Amos 9—Israel shall be sifted among all nations—In the last days, they will be gathered again into their own land, and it shall become productive.
