Amos The Prophet

Around 750 BCE, Amos, a shepherd from Judah, goes north to preach against the

sinful kingdom of Israel. Amos was a prophet from the town of Tekoh in Juda. He

was unassuming, but bold and fearless when called to bear witness against the

evils of his day. Prior to his call to the prophetic office, Amos was a shepherd

who devoted a part of his time to tending sycamore trees and gathering their

fruit. Amos is sometimes called the "gloomy shepherd." He was not

known for his sympathy or warmth, but for his sense of justice and of pride.

Amos directed his message to the wealthy people who oppressed the poor. His

primary audience was the Northern Kingdom of Israel. These people were wealthy

and enjoyed great luxury. However, they were morally, religiously and

politically corrupt. Amos preached his message because the people of Israel were

at the summit of worldly prosperity, but rapidly filling up the measure of their

sins. The mission of Amos was therefor, rather to threaten than to console. Amos

rebuked, among other things, the corruption of their manners, which kept pace

with their prosperity. He charged the great men with partiality as judges, and

violence towards the poor; and he foretells, as a punishment from God, the

capacity of the ten tribes in a foreign country. Amos’ message is largely a

"cry for justice." Amos’ message then was to spread justice to all

people, especially the weak and the poor. Amos was angered because the rich

people were disregarding God’s law. God’s law was designed to protect people and

share justice for all. For example, Amos condemns the rich women of Samaria for

lying around and acting like fat cattle. He warns them that someday this lavish

lifestyle they live, will not exist. They too, will get theirs. " Let

justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing

stream." (Amos 5:14) Through this, Amos says that the Lord abominates

processions, sacrifices, and hymns singing that do not come from sincere hearts.

Justice is not being served. Based on Amos’ message and style of writing, I

think that his message today would reach out to all of the socially and

economically challenged people. He would direct that people should love and

treat all as equal status citizens. When Jesus said," to love your

neighbor, " he meant to love all of your neighbors, weather they be next

door, next state, or even in another country. However, Amos would say to

especially reach out to the ones that are poor and weak. I think he would stress

that life is too short, and God gave us a good one. Meaning that we should take

advantage of it, and befriend and take care of all.