By the mistrust among them individuals, it is ironic one God-sent good Jew so you're able to alert the brand new Israelites of its following view. "I found myself zero prophet, neither was I a boy away from a good prophet," the guy shows you, "but I found myself a good herdsman and you can a sensitive out of sycamore good fresh fruit. Then the Lord required as i accompanied this new group and you may god believed to myself, ‘Wade, prophesy to my somebody Israel'" (Amos eight:14-15).
Amos is more than "only a great shepherd." For the Amos 1:step 1 the brand new Hebrew keyword noqed suggests a good keeper otherwise raiser of sheep or goats (discover II Leaders 3:4), although it often is made once the "shepherd." Into the Amos seven:fourteen "herdsman" (bowker) makes reference to high cows. God inspired several other terms to display which he is actually an excellent breeder out-of sheep (and maybe out-of cows), providing anybody else that have inventory, and perhaps developing and refining the newest breeds. A few of Amos' belongings ore-fig orchard. His farm appears to have come brief adequate he is privately doing work in their operation, regardless of if the guy plus seems to have succeeded enough to bring time away so you're able to preach when you look at the Israel.
Judging regarding book's language and magnificence, Amos was also well-educated. Students court their use of vocabulary because eg expressive, vivid and you will forceful.
Amos composed on a very tall amount of time in Israel's record (Amos 1:1). Each other leaders Jeroboam II regarding Israel (793-753 BC ) and Uzziah out of Judah (791-739 BC ) appreciated a lot of time and you can successful reigns. Their prophecy might be dated before 750 BC , since the Uzziah's child, Jotham (750-731 BC ), whom reigned once the co-regent along with his father to possess eleven many years, is not mentioned.
The definition of "2 yrs before the disturbance" helps to slim the new book's date. Archeological findings unearthed on Hazor when you look at the northern Palestine reveal that an unusually good disturbance taken place regarding the 760 BC . If that's the case, Amos prophesied within 762 BC . The phrase seems to limit his prophesying compared to that types of seasons, indicating you to his prophetic craft was short.
Although not, brand new prophet left a powerful message from alerting and you will importance one to however groups having information and fervor
Of several historians enjoys figured 722 BC -forty years later on-is actually whenever Assyria os' warning message, God within his mercy given His individuals with a 40-year period of demonstration and you may assessment when they could regret. Record details, not, one Samaria dropped along with her survivors have been dragged to the captivity inside 718 BC .
Traditions holds that Amos passed away an unlawful demise within hands out-of Jeroboam II, however, no historic suggestions has actually affirmed that it claim.
From are a keen illiterate shepherd, brand new prophet was a guy off refinement and substance, conscious of past situations and you can current criteria when you look at the Israel and you will Judah, plus the surrounding places
" the father roars out-of Zion, and kupon snapsext utters Their sound of Jerusalem; the brand new pastures of shepherds mourn, and most readily useful off Carmel withers" (Amos step one:2). In the wild a good lion roars exactly as it is regarding the in order to pounce into their victim. Symbolically and you may metaphorically, the latest roar of a good lion or the break from thunder reveals the new impending input out of God for the peoples points (I Samuel 2:10; Isaiah 31:6; 31:4; Hosea eleven:9-11; Disclosure ).
Regarding the mid-eighth 100 years BC whenever Amos preached, Israel's monetary ft is actually mostly in agriculture, but a drought had started to destabilize one to base. This new pastures had currently started initially to feel the negative effects of God's roaring, due to the fact got Carmel, one particular verdant element of Israel, and you will incidentally, the supposed stronghold out-of Baal. Amos proclaims that the drought 's the consequence of God's wisdom.