Many great teachings have been given to us through the Law and the Prophets and the others that followed

© Prophets of Ancient Israel and Judah: §2 – Amos 12.0 The Book of the Prophet Amos 2.1 Introduction 2Amos was the first of the classical prophets. The book’s title states that he was from 3 4Tekoa in Judah, south of Jerusalem. Called to prophecy in Israel he worked at Bethel and perhaps also at Samaria. He lived during the reigns of Uzziah of Judah (783-742 BCE) 5and Jeroboam II of Israel (786-746 BCE). By trade he was a breeder of livestock. Amos lived during a period of great material prosperity and social corruption. Politically Assyria was still weak and Israel was independent. It was the calm before the storm. 2.2 Four Themes of Central Importance 2.2.1 Judgement Amos proclaimed the total and inescapable destruction of Northern State of Israel. 6YHWH had acknowledged Israel as his Covenant People but since Israel rejected it, YHWH decided to end the relationship. Amos directed harsh words against both political and religious leadership condemning moral failure at every level. These are the many 7 8 9condemnations: against the king; against priests; against the upper classes of Samaria 10and against the sanctuaries of Bethel and Gilgal. He proclaimed that the coming judgement of YHWH would affect all peoples. 2.2.2 Social Justice Israelite religion demanded a link between one’s relationship with YHWH and with one’s neighbour. In Amos’ time this link was ignored by the powerful and wealthy that treated the poor as they wished. Amos ...