From the mistrust between them peoples, it’s ironic one God sent a Jew to warn the new Israelites of their impending judgment. ”I was no prophet, nor was I a man out of a beneficial prophet,” he demonstrates to you, ”but I found myself a good herdsman and you will a sensitive away from sycamore good fresh fruit. Then Lord required while i used this new flock and you may the father thought to myself, ‘Wade, prophesy on my people Israel'” (Amos 7:14-15).

Amos are over ”merely good shepherd.” For the Amos step one:step one new Hebrew word noqed suggests a keeper otherwise raiser off sheep otherwise goats (look for II Leaders 3:4), though it might be rendered because ”shepherd.” From inside the Amos 7:fourteen ”herdsman” (bowker) means highest cows. God inspired a few some other terms and conditions to demonstrate he was a beneficial breeder away from sheep (and possibly out-of cattle), promoting someone else having inventory, and possibly development and polishing the new types. Some of Amos’ property ore-fig orchard. His ranch seems to have been small sufficient he is physically in their operation, though the guy together with seems to have been successful sufficient to grab time away so you’re able to preach inside the Israel.

Judging about book’s code and style, Amos was also well-educated. Students legal his usage of language since the for example expressive, stunning and you may powerful.

Amos blogged on an extremely high amount of time in Israel’s history (Amos step 1:1). Each other leaders Jeroboam II out of Israel (793-753 BC ) and Uzziah of Judah (791-739 BC ) appreciated a lot of time and you will prosperous reigns. His prophecy will likely be old before 750 BC , because the Uzziah’s guy, Jotham (750-731 BC ), exactly who reigned because the co-regent with his dad to own 11 years, is not stated.

The phrase ”24 months till the disturbance” really helps to slim this new book’s date. Archeological findings unearthed on Hazor when you look at the north Palestine show that an strangely solid earthquake taken place throughout the 760 BC . In this case, Amos prophesied in about 762 BC . The term appears to restrict his prophesying to that variety of year, recommending one to their prophetic craft was short.

But not, this new prophet remaining a powerful content away from alerting and you can necessity you to definitely still bands having truth and fervor

Of many historians have figured 722 BC -40 years after-is actually whenever Assyria os’ warning message, Jesus within his compassion offered senior match Their people with an excellent 40-seasons chronilogical age of demonstration and you will testing during which they might regret. History info, yet not, you to definitely Samaria fell and her survivors was pulled for the captivity for the 718 BC .

Culture keeps one to Amos passed away an unlawful demise from the hands away from Jeroboam II, however, zero historical facts has actually affirmed that it allege.

From are an enthusiastic illiterate shepherd, the fresh new prophet is actually a person out-of refinement and you can substance, aware of earlier situations and you can newest requirements when you look at the Israel and you may Judah, plus the nearby nations

” the father roars out of Zion, and you can utters His sound off Jerusalem; the latest pastures of shepherds mourn, therefore the top away from Carmel withers” (Amos step 1:2). In the great outdoors a beneficial lion roars exactly as it is on the in order to pounce to your their victim. Symbolically and you will metaphorically, the fresh new roar away from a great lion and/or crack from thunder reveals the latest imminent intervention of God for the peoples facts (I Samuel 2:10; Isaiah 31:6; 31:4; Hosea eleven:9-11; Disclosure ).

From the mid-eighth 100 years BC whenever Amos preached, Israel’s financial base was mainly when you look at the farming, but a beneficial drought had begun to destabilize one base. The brand new pastures got already began to feel the outcomes of God’s booming, given that got Carmel, by far the most verdant part of Israel, and you can by-the-way, the brand new heading stronghold away from Baal. Amos proclaims that the drought ’s the result of God’s view.