Amos 1:1

“The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.”

Historical Context:Amos lived during the 8th century BCE, a time of relative prosperity in both Israel and Judah. However, beneath the surface of prosperity, there were social injustices, corruption, and religious hypocrisy prevalent among the people. Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa, was called by God to prophesy against these injustices and call the people to repentance.

• The Author and His Background:

Amos identifies himself as the author of this book. He describes himself as a shepherd or herdman from Tekoa, which was a small town located in the southern kingdom of Judah. Being a shepherd, Amos had an intimate connection with nature and understood the lives of common people. He was a prophet called by God to deliver His message to the people.

The Vision:Amos begins by declaring that the words he is about to speak are a revelation from God. The phrase “which he saw” indicates that Amos received a vision or a series of visions from the Lord. These visions served as the basis for the messages he would deliver to Israel.

The Focus of the Prophecy:Amos received this vision concerning Israel, specifically during the reigns of King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam II of Israel. Amos’s prophecies primarily address the northern kingdom of Israel, but they also have implications for Judah.

The Mention of the Earthquake:The verse concludes by noting that these prophecies were delivered two years before an earthquake. While the specific earthquake referred to is not known, this event likely held significance for the people of that time. It could have been seen as a divine sign or a precursor of the impending judgment that Amos proclaimed.