AMOS The Prophet Confronts Injustice
AMOS’S NAME probably means “one sustained by the Lord.” Indeed, the Lord’s sustaining power was vital to Amos’s survival as a prophet. Before the Lord called him, Amos was a shepherd from Tekoa, a small Judean town located about 10 miles outside of Jerusalem. He apparently made a good living. He was not a trained prophet and had no intention of becoming one (7:14). But when his people faced a crisis, a divine call came to him (1:1-2). That is often how the Lord gets our attention. He uses a trial to wake us up to our true calling.
In obedience to the Lord, Amos left the comforts of his home and went to Samaria in order to confront the leaders there. His message from the Lord was particularly difficult for two reasons: First, Amos was from Judah, the southern kingdom, while his prophecy was aimed at Israel, the northern kingdom. Second, the people of Israel were living very comfortably and enjoying great wealth and prosperity. No one wanted to hear Amos’s call to repent of their social injustices and false religious practices, even if they would face exile and utter ruin. Though we may not want to hear it, Amos’s message is also relevant for any nation in any time period living in great comfort but under false pretenses.
Before God can speak to us, he must get our attention
The eighth century BC witnessed the fall of Israel in the north. If it weren’t for the reforms of King Hezekiah, Judah would surely have fallen then as well. The writing prophets began their ministries in times of trial. Although they were from different backgrounds, they all had one thing in common: a deep conviction that they were called by the Lord to witness to his people who were going astray. The spiritual decay of those in the north showed up most clearly in the way they treated the most vulnerable among them, which precipitated Amos’s cry for social justice.
Amos was a prime example of the loyal ministry of the writing prophets, even though he was untrained. He is worthy to represent those who came before and after him.