Jan 22, 2023
Scripture Reading: Amos 1,2
The book of Amos is one of the twelve books often called 'minor prophets.' These twelve books in the Old Testament are small in comparison with Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel ('major prophets').
Amos was one of only two writing prophets sent to the northern kingdom of Israel (Hosea was the other one). His message, like most of the prophets, was to declare the sins of Israel, call the people to repentance, warn them of impending judgment, and proclaim a great, coming restoration of the people of Israel.
Amos's primary message is to the people of Israel, but to highlight the certainty and horror of divine judgment, the first two chapters of the book are dedicated to God's judgment on the surrounding nations … Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab. God pronounces judgment on these Gentile peoples with the repeated phrase, "For three transgressions and for four, I will not revoke the punishment" (Amos 1:3,6,9,11,13; 2:1).
Then God's searching eye is set on the southern Jewish kingdom of Judah, with the same chilling announcement (Amos 2:4). Then God confronts the people of Israel regarding their sins for the rest of the book.
Like most prophets, Amos calls the people to turn from the darkness of their idolatry and neglect of God. The justice of God is prominent in Amos, but the faithfulness and mercy of God is part of his message as well. There is much for the Israelites (and us) to remember about God and thus to trust and obey Him, honoring Him as a good and merciful Creator.