Explanation [Book]: Theology. Amos emphasizes the unlimited power of Jehovah to magnify "the terror of the approaching judgment." The Old Testament does not have a word for omnipotence, rather it is described figuratively by various writers, just as Amos does. (Vos, Biblical Theology, 258). Vos emphasizes the fact that God knows and judges all moral acts - the righteousness of cognizance, to use Vos' term. Amos speaks of the covenant as a marriage between Israel and Jehovah (3:2). Vos also "speaks of the 'torah' and the 'chuqqim' which the Judaeans have rejected (2:4)." (Vos, Biblical Theology, 282). [Overview: James Philip. ].
     History. The opening words of the book give the historical setting. "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." (Amos 1:1). Uzziah (790-740 BC) and Jeroboam (793-753 BC) were contemporaries for about 37 years (790-753 BC), so Amos prophesied to the two of them sometime during this period. From 2 Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 26 we learn that Uzziah of Judah reigned for 52 years, was successful and famous militarily, and was faithful to the LORD till he tried to usurp the duties of the priests. The LORD smote him with leprosy for this act and he spent the last few years of his reign living in a house separated from everyone else. He died in the same year in which Isaiah was called to the prophetic ministry (Isaiah 6). By contrast to Uzziah of Judah, Israel's king, Jeroboam the son of Joash (aka Jeroboam II the son of Jehoash), was far worse; he was a wicked king for all of the 41 years of his reign.
     Amos was a herdman of Tekoa in Judah south of Bethlehem (1:1). He was also a gatherer of sycamore fruit (7:14-15). He was a herder of oxen, or sheep and a piercer or scraper (cultivator) of sycamore figs, perhaps for grazing rights. Moreover, he was neither a prophet, nor a son of a prophet (a "student" or a member in a guild of prophets) - (7:14). Amos makes these statements to Amaziah the priest of Bethel, to confront him and all of Israel with the fact that the LORD told Amos to prophesy; so their demand that he shut up was really a demand that God shut up. Instead, said Amos, his critic would be destroyed and Israel would go into captivity (7:16-17).
     Explanation [Chapter]: In Amos 1, Amos introduces himself and prophesies against Syria, Philistia, Tyre, Edom, and Ammon. For each of these countries he prophesies fire. Other judgments will come as well, but fire will fall upon them all. These prophecies were given "two years before the earthquake." According to Dean Plumptre, "It seems to have been the first great earthquake in the history of Israel. It occurred in the time of Uzziah (Amos 1:1; Zechariah 14:5). There is no trace of anything of the kind in the Book of Judges, or in the earlier history of the Kings (quoted in The Biblical Illustrator, by Joseph S. Exell). And concerning the nations which Amos mentions, Meyer says, "The order followed is Syria, Amos 1:3; Philistia, Amos 1:6; Tyre, Amos 1:9; Edom, Amos 1:11; Ammon, Amos 1:13; Moab, Amos 2:1. Each of these neighboring kingdoms was successively overwhelmed by the invasion of the great countries that lay in the valley of the Euphrates. Tiglath-pileser began and ultimately Nebuchadnezzar finished the work of desolation. But in turn the conquerors, becoming enervated by uninterrupted success and prosperity, were also swept away" (Through the Bible Day by Day, F. B. Meyer). [Sermons: Eric Alexander. Phillip Jensen. William Still. ].
     Today's image is of Gaza, one of the places upon which the LORD would send judgment because of their sins.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 2 Kings 14. 2 Chronicles 26. Amos 1. Amos 2. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Micha'el Ben David. Sons of Korah. Fernando Ortega. Janet Isaac Morrison. Music of the Bible Revealed - Suzanne Haik-Vantoura. Dr. David Erb. Gregorian Chants. ]

     ¹³ Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border: ¹⁴ But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind: ¹⁵ And their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith the LORD.

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