Historical Background Of Amos

This great prophet came from the countryside with a message of doom for Israel. He was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore fruit (7:14). Pastoral scenes abound throughout his book (1:2;2:13; 3:4-5; 4:7). A religious reformer, Amos came out of the wilderness to call a remnant of the people back to justice and righteousness before it was too late.

Josephus says that the earthquake mentioned in the book (1:1) took place when Uzziah attempted to usurp the priestly functions (2 Chronicles 26, 2 Kings 15:1-7) In Israel—The borders of both Israel and Judah had stretched out to their greatest extent since the time of Solomon, and prosperity had returned to both kingdoms (Israel under Jeroboam II and Judah under Uzziah [2 Chronicles 26:6-15).

With this prosperity came numerous evils and a general decay of right values. There was the problem of excessive luxury (3:12,5:11). Along with that was social corruption as the rich oppressed the poor (2:6-8; 5:11-12). There was also the problem of religious corruption, complete with idolatry and heartless,  mindless worship offered to God (5:21-24; 8:4-6). All of these vices were leading to the ultimate doom and destruction of the nation within that generation (722 BC). Amos and Hosea (750-725 BC) worked concurrently to warn the people of imminent destruction.

In Assyria—“During the ninth century BC, Assyria had been increasing in power and in the exertion of that power in the east, gradually extending it into the west. However for sixty years following 805 BC, ‘the west was given a breathing space because the rulers of Assyria were not strong men’. It was during this period that Jonah had visited Ninevah. This sixty years respite from the east gave Judah and Israel the opportunity needed to strengthen the power of each nation.

Message Of Amos

Summarized in the statement “Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” (4:12). The national prosperity of Israel was at its peak resulting in spiritual idleness and national decay (6:1-6). Amos came as a great social reformer.