contemporary with Isaiah and Hosea (Amos 1:1; 7:14, 15; Zechariah 14:5),
who survived him a few years. Under Jeroboam II. the kingdom of Israel
rose to the zenith of its prosperity; but that was followed by the
prevalence of luxury and vice and idolatry. At this period Amos was called
from his obscurity to remind the people of the law of God’s retributive
justice, and to call them to repentance.
The Book of Amos consists of three parts:
(1.) The nations around are summoned to judgment because of their sins
(1:1-2:3). He quotes Joel 3:16.
(2.) The spiritual condition of Judah, and especially of Israel, is described
(2:4-6:14).
(3.) In 7:1-9:10 are recorded five prophetic visions. (a) The first two
(7:1-6) refer to judgments against the guilty people. (b) The next two
(7:7-9; 8:1-3) point out the ripeness of the people for the threatened
judgements. 7:10-17 consists of a conversation between the prophet and
the priest of Bethel. (c) The fifth describes the overthrow and ruin of Israel
(9:1-10); to which is added the promise of the restoration of the kingdom
and its final glory in the Messiah’s kingdom.
The style is peculiar in the number of the allusions made to natural objects
and to agricultural occupations. Other allusions show also that Amos was
a student of the law as well as a “child of nature.” These phrases are
peculiar to him: “Cleanness of teeth” [i.e., want of bread] (4:6); “The
excellency of Jacob” (6:8; 8:7); “The high places of Isaac” (7:9); “The
house of Isaac” (7:16); “He that createth the wind” (4:13). Quoted, Acts
7:42.