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Introduction to Amos
Outline of the Book of Amos
- Amos introduced (1:1)
- Yahweh judges the nations (1:2-2:16)
- The surrounding nations (1:2–2:3)
- The southern kingdom (2:4–5)
- The northern kingdom (2:6–16)
- Amos prophesies against the people of Israel (3:1–6:14)
- Yahweh shows Amos several visions (7:1-9:10)
- Israel is to be restored (9:11–15)
What is the Book of Amos about?
The Book of Amos contains the words of Amos, a shepherd of Tekoa. Amos began to prophesy about 760 BC. He spoke Yahweh's messages against God's people behaving wickedly. He spoke messages to both the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel. (See:
Yahweh gave Amos prophecies of judgment (Chapters 1-6) to proclaim to the people. Each of them begins with the phrase "This is what Yahweh says" (ULB).
Three visions of Yahweh coming to judge the people are in the last part of the book (7:1-9:10). A final vision promises that Yahweh will restore Israel (9:11-15). He will restore the "tent of David." This means a descendant of David would once again be king over Israel.
Who wrote the Book of Amos?
The prophet Amos probably wrote this book. He lived in the southern kingdom of Judah. Though Amos was not trained as a prophet, he knew and understood the law of Moses.
What is the meaning of the term "Israel"?
The name "Israel" is used in many different ways in the Bible. Jacob was a son of Isaac. God changed Jacob's name to Israel. The descendants of Jacob became a nation also called Israel. Eventually, the nation of Israel split into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom was named Israel. The southern kingdom was named Judah. In Amos, "Israel" almost always refers to the northern kingdom of Israel.