The Prophet Amos

The name “Amos” means “burden” or “burden-bearer.” His ministry took place during the reigns of King Uzziah of Judah (c. 791-740 BC) and King Jeroboam II of Israel (c. 793-753 BC), “two years before the earthquake,” around 760 BC. This corresponds to the early Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC) in China. Contemporary prophets serving alongside Amos included Hosea and Jonah in the Northern Kingdom, and Joel in the Southern Kingdom may also have ministered concurrently.

Amos was an ordinary shepherd and fig-grower from the Southern Kingdom, not a prominent figure. Yet, he was sent by God to declare judgment to the Northern Kingdom—a mission destined to be unpopular.

At that time, the people were accustomed to a life of wealth, luxury, and indulgence. They had completely forgotten the Law of the LORD. Their superficial prosperity blinded their eyes, preventing them from seeing the truth. They were like fully ripened fruit, actually on the verge of rotten decay. Although Amos delivered a heavy message of impending disaster to Israel and Judah (as well as many pagan nations), he also offered a comforting message about the eventual restoration of the LORD’s people.

[Amos 8:1-3] “This is what the Lord GOD showed me: behold, a basket of summer fruit. And he said, ‘Amos, what do you see?’ I said, ‘A basket of summer fruit.’ Then the LORD said, ‘The end has come upon my people Israel; I will not again pass by them. The songs of the temple shall become wailings in that day,’ declares the Lord GOD; ‘the dead bodies shall be many; in every place shall be cast out in silence.'”

Amos’s prophecies concerning the great earthquake and the judgment of the nations were all later fulfilled. Stephen (Acts 7:42-43) and James (Acts 15:15-18) both quoted from the Book of Amos (Amos 5:25-27; 9:11-12).