Amos

Outline of the Book (taken from A Christian’s Pocket Guide to loving the OT)

Amos: 1:2-3:8 Universal Judgment,

Amos 3:9-6:14 The Lord’s Anger,

Amos 7:1-9:15 Judgment and Hope

The human author: A shepherd from Tekoa who prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah in Judah and Jeroboam in Israel (Logos Factbook). His name means burdensome or burden bearer. He is the only one mentioned by this name in the entire OT. His hometown of Tekoa was 5 miles south of Bethlehem and 10 miles from Jerusalem. It was a city of defense built by Rehoboam in 2 Ch 11:6 “Thus he built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,” as we see in Jer 6:1 ““Flee for safety, O sons of Benjamin, From the midst of Jerusalem! Now blow a trumpet in Tekoa And raise a signal over Beth-haccerem; For evil looks down from the north, And a great destruction.”

The city is situated on high ground. Another reference to this city is the story of 2 Samuel 14 with woman from Tekoa whom Joab used to help David recall Absalom.

Amos described himself as a sheepherder (1:1) and not a prophet (7:14). He claimed direct revelation from God (7:15). He has a high view of God (8:9, 4:5,8, 9:7, 6:1, 14, 3:2, 9:2, 1:3, 2:1. )