Amos 1:1
1 The words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders from Tekoa, which he saw in visions concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
Introduction
Amos the shepherd of Tekoa
Let us take a look at what kind of person the prophet Amos was. (1) The name Amos means “one who bears a burden.” He is the only person with this name in the Old Testament. (2) His family background is unknown, but he was from Tekoa, a town of Judah located southeast of Bethlehem. (3) He was not a professional prophet (he was not trained in the schools of the prophets established by Elijah and Elisha). His occupation was that of a shepherd and a cultivator of sycamore figs (ref. 7:14). He stood as a prophet because he received revelation from the Lord. It seems that he was shown the Lord’s revelation through visions. (4) He carried out his prophetic ministry during the reign of Uzziah king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah (reigned 792-740 BC) and Jeroboam II king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (reigned 793-753 BC). This period was one of great material prosperity, but it was also a time when idolatry was rampant. (5) It is written that he saw the visions two years before the earthquake. This earthquake is also mentioned in Zechariah 14:5. His period of activity is thought to have been around 810-750 BC, but more precisely, around 770-750 BC. (6) Although he was a prophet from the Southern Kingdom, he fulfilled the unique mission of proclaiming prophecy against the Northern Kingdom.
The Book of Amos and the New Testament
Before moving on, let us take a look at the New Testament passages that quote the Book of Amos. There are two, both found in Acts. (1) Acts 7:42-43. Here, Stephen quotes Amos 5:25-27 in order to condemn the stubbornness of the Jewish people. (2) Acts 15:16-18. The setting is the Jerusalem Council. James, the brother of the Lord and a leader of the Jerusalem church, quotes Amos 9:11-12 in order to defend the salvation of the Gentiles. Amos did not rise as a prophet according to his own plans, but by the revelation of the Lord. Moreover, the place of his ministry was not his own country, the Southern Kingdom of Judah, but the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The calling from the Lord is absolute and allows no compromise. In this age, let us pray that servants of the Lord like Amos will be raised up. Is it possible that you yourself may be a modern-day Amos?
Today's prayer
Almighty God, I entrust my life into Your hands. Allow me to walk faithfully in obedience to Your calling. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.