The book of Amos
The Book of Amos
What is the book of Amos about?
The book of Amos covers a point in time where both the northern kingdom (Israel) and southern kingdom (Judah) were experiencing great prosperity. This prosperity brought on religious and moral corruption. The kingdoms were living in a time of idolatry, extravagant luxury, and oppression of the poor.
Amos condemned these people and has visions that depict Israel's plight. One of these visions detail a basket of ripe fruit, for the time is ripe for the people of Israel to be spared from punishment no longer.
God's past punishment for unfaithfulness has been forgotten in these times and he calls upon Amos to announce to the people his patience was coming to an end.
Who wrote the book of Amos?
The author of Amos is Amos himself, a prophet and shepherd from Tekoa, near Bethlehem.
Who is the audience?
The Jewish people in the northern kingdom of Israel.
Timeframe Amos was written:
Written sometime between 760-750 BC.
"In short" (One sentence summary):
The book of Amos condemns the rich and powerful of Israelite society, who have come to believe that ritual is all that God was interested in.
Fun facts about Amos/Did you know?
Amos' broad range of general knowledge along with his knowledge of history shows that he was far from an ignorant peasant.
