Book of Amos; Message and theology with its background.
Do you know the 8th-century prophet Amos is the first prophet for the northern kingdom? Yahweh sent him with His message from Judea to Samaria. It was the most challenging mission for him to carry in such socio-economic, political, and religious conditions. He preached a challenging message with significant theology.
Socio-economic and Political Background of Amos
After the death of Solomon Israel was divided into two kingdoms; Northman and Southern. There was almost no peace in both kingdoms after the division. They were at war against each other. Surrounding countries also made war against them.
But in the 8th century BC, Israel and Judah enjoyed peace and prosperity. At that time, Assyria was going through its own internal problems. Because Assyria had covered many nations and tribes and the empire from northern tribes tried to rebel against Assyria. So the Assyrian army force was used there. That’s why they could not make war against other nations, so Israel and Judah had peace.
But when Tiglath-Pileser III became the king of Assyria in 745 BC, he conquered Damascus. It became the starting point of Israel’s fall.
Amos dates himself in his book (1:1). He was from the time of Jeroboam II (the king of Northern Kingdom Israel). And in the Southern kingdom (Judea), Uzziah was ruling as the king at that time. It was a time of great prosperity in Israel and Judah. Because of the political instability of neighboring countries, there were no external war threats for Israel and Judah. They had peace and they expanded their territory.
At that time Israel and Judah ruled almost all the territories which King David and Solomon had ruled. Damascus also came under Jeroboam II. As a result, they could expand their trade more. The northern kingdom became free to control the trading caravan routes of the east. Before, the nation was based on agriculture, but now trade and commerce increased rapidly.
The Religious and Moral Condition of Israel
Though there was physical prosperity, their religious and moral standards had declined very badly. The nation was directed towards idol worship (Ball). People became money lovers but did not concern the poor, widows, and orphans. Merchants became richer and the poor became poorer. Bribery and corruption were increased highly even in the Law court. As a result, lower people did not get justice.
Amos and His Ministry
Amos was the first prophet of the 8th century BC for Israel. He was from the southern kingdom Judah, who used to live in a small town Tekoa near Bethlehem (1:1, 7:12). He was not from a prophetic or priestly family background (7:14). But he was just a shepherd (1:1) or herdsman (7:14). He became a prophet to the northern kingdom by experiencing the call of God. And he became a powerful preacher. He used vivid language full of epigrams and brief word practice. He did not shy away from using strong words (4:4). Especially, he preached about the sin of Israel, the coming judgment of Yahweh upon the nation, and restoration after the judgment.
Message of Amos
Amos used the oracle of judgment and the oracle of salvation in his message.
Oracle of Judgment
Book of Amos has a long oracle of judgement. At first, he draws his hearer’s enthusiastic attention by announcing the judgment of Yahweh upon some neighboring countries (1:1-2:3). After that, he suddenly announces the judgment upon the corrupt northern kingdom (2:4-5). Of course, that judgment was coming in Judah too (2:4-5).
He condemned Israel’s capital, Samaria, for their neglecting behavior of hearing the Word of God (4:13). He brings the message to repentance (5:1-27). And he also warns that their corruption will lead to destruction (6:1-14).
His three visions show that God’s patience could not last indefinitely with the rebellion nation (7:1-9). Israel had become a violent, oppressive, and exploitative society. They traded dishonestly (8:6), they deceived in measure and weight (8:5). Truths were hated (5:10). Judges used to take bribes which brought no justice in Israel.
Orphans, poor, and widows were oppressed (2:7, 5:10, 12). Poor had to sell themselves into slavery to pay their tribal debts (2:6, 8:6). That’s why Amos clearly announces the judgment upon Israel. The end of Israel is near (8:1-14), and there is no way to escape from it (9:1-10).
Unpopular message for Israel
The message which we read today in the book of Amos was very unpopular for Israel. Israel used to think that they are God’s chosen people and they will not be exiled again. Amos also agrees (3:1-2), but he says, now they have broken the covenant with Yahweh. They were not keeping the Law of the Lord and His statutes (2:4).
Israel’s two strong transgressions were injustice to one another and worship of idols. That’s why Amos preached that God is going to bring covenant punishment upon them. Yahweh punished seven Canaanite pagan countries because of their sins, using His people Israel. But now, He is going to punish His own people because of their sins. Now, He is going to use the pagan country Assyria to punish His people.
Woe Oracle
Amos uses the woe oracle to deliver his message in chapter 5:18 (and in 6:1 too). Concerning the Day of the Lord, Israelites were thinking that God will punish their enemies and they will enjoy blessing forever. But Amos says that they have rebelled against Yahweh as an enemy so that Yahweh’s wrath will be upon themselves (5:18-20, 27).
He announces the message of accusation against their religious hypocrisy (5:21-22; 25-26). Their religious activities and feasts were hypocritical, and their worship and offerings were not for Yahweh.
Oracle of Salvation
The book of Amos is ended with hope and restoration. Prophet Amos did not announce only the message of doom, but a message of hope and restoration as well (9:11-15). He says, after the judgment, Yahweh will renew them politically. Yahweh will restore David’s fallen tent (9:11).
This restoration is with a national purpose that Davidic King may become the source of blessing to all Gentiles (9:12). He says God will bring prosperity, peace, and permanence in the land (9:13-15). This is how Amos surprisingly ends his message with the oracle of salvation and restoration.
Theology of Amos
The book of Amos shows that Yahweh is sovereign Lord. He has the power to destroy the kings and nations (1:8). Yahweh has the power not only upon humankind but on the universe too (8:1, 3, 9, 11). He destroys the sinful kingdom from the face of the earth (9:8).
Yahweh is the Lord God Almighty, who forms the mountains, creates the winds, reveals His thought to mankind, turns down to darkness, and treads on the highest of the earth (4:13). He hates evil and loves good 5:14-16).
Yahweh has the power to send the nation into exile (5:27). He has the power to deliver the nation into the enemy’s hand (6:8,14).
The Lord is the Creator, who creates all things; mountains, wind, dark, light, sea, land. He builds His lofty palace in heaven and its foundation on earth (4:13; 5:8; 9:5,6).
The Lord is an agent in all history; unless He allows, no events can be in history (3:6; 4:6-11; 9:7). Yahweh is the moral governor or judge of all the nations, who cannot tolerate sin but judge rightly (1:3-2:16). He is holy.
The Lord is concerned about the war; how it is waged (1:3,13). And He is also concerned about how commerce is carried on (1:6; 8:5-7). He hates the different wedges (8:5-7). Yahweh gives hope and restores to His chosen nation (9:11-15).
Conclusion
The book of Amos is filled with God’s judgement. As a prophet, Amos preached the message of God in Israel during the 8th century when Judah and Israel were enjoying prosperity and peace. Though they were in prosperity, they had forsaken Yahweh their God, and were worshiping idols. Corruption was highly increased and there was no justice for the poor, widows, and orphans. God’s people had broken the covenant with God. That’s why Yahweh sent Amos to preach the message of judgment upon them. His message doesn’t end in judgment, but he brought the message of salvation and restoration at the end. He shows that Yahweh is sovereign, Almighty, creator God, who controls history.