Introductory Message To The Book of Amos

Amos' name means, “Burden.” He is considered the first of the writing prophets, a herdsman of Tekoa.

... and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: Amos 7:14.

Amos prophesied “two years before the earthquake” (1:1; cf. Zech. 14:5). This would be about 787 BC (Scofield Bible).

Amos “exercised his ministry during the reign of Jeroboam II, an able but idolatrous king who brought his kingdom to the zenith of its power. Nothing could seem more improbable than the fulfillment of Amos' warnings; yet within fifty years the kingdom was utterly destroyed. The vision of Amos is, however, wider than the northern kingdom, including the whole ‘house of Jacob'.

Amos prophesied:

1. THE PROBLEM OF MATERIALISM.
   Amos 2:6-7; Isa. 30:9-10; John 4:22; Amos 5:21-22.

2. THE PROBLEM WITH FALSE PROPHETS.
   Amos 7:13; Isa. 28:7-8; Jer. 23:14; 2 Peter 2:1.

3. THE MESSAGE OF AMOS.
   Amos 7:16-17; 8:2; 2 Kings 17:5-41.

The people in Amos' day believed financial prosperity was a sign that God was blessing them. This idea is popular today as well. America has become a very materialistic country. The founders of this country were not that way, but over the years materialism has become more of a problem. Amos' prophecies of judgment did not sit well with the materialistic people. His preaching went against the prevailing political climate of hope and prosperity.

God sent America great revivals in the past (First and Second Great Awakening, etc.) but there has not been a major revival in America in over 100 years.

2 Chronicles 7:14.