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 virtual 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 on the disobedient and the idolatrous. The book of Amos is a compilation of the prophet's teachings that are well organized and articulate.

His message was powerful in teaching the people then, and those today, of applying the gospel principles in our lives, and about the judgments of God upon the proud.