Amos Introduction

Amos lived in the 8th century B.C. He was a native of the mountain village of Tekoa in Judah, which was said to be about 2 hours south of Bethlehem by donkey. He lived a little before Isaiah, but he was not, as some have mistakenly assumed, the father of Isaiah (Isa. 1:1). Tradition has it that Amos was slow of tongue and spoke with a stammer but there was no doubt that his speech was "weighty" and his word, the "burden of the Lord". He was a shepherd, by trade, and a dresser of sycamore (fig) trees on the side. He wanted no part of politics or prophecy, but the information that he received by divine inspiration about political and religious conditions in the surrounding nations, disturbed him so much that he was moved to act.

The book can be divided up into three sections (Lesson 91):

1. Chapters 1 and 2, The Indictment of foreign nations.
2. Chapters 3 thru 6, The Indictment of Israel.
3. Chapters 7 thru 9, A Series of Visions and Narratives.

This "fiery" preacher from the hills of Judah exposed the extravagant and callous ways of living by the Lords and Ladies of Samaria. His convictions were totally different from the social norm of his day. It would appear that he met with much opposition with his work, yet he was faithful and bold in the denouncing of their sin and in announcing the judgment of God for it. He also pressed for repentance and reformation.

Study of the Book of Amos

Subject	Chapter
An Indictment of Foreign Nations	1
An Indictment Against Moab and Judah	2
An Indictment Against Israel	3
The Sins of Israel	4
Seek After the Lord, O Israel	5
Don't Rest on Past Blessings	6
Amos Prays Down a Reprieve	7
Amos Envisions a Basket of Fruit	8
Mercy is Promised in the "Latter Days"	9

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