God obviously delivered an informed man available to get the job done, even if he was not an officially instructed prophet
Of the mistrust among them individuals, it is ironic one God sent a Jew in order to warn this new Israelites of the impending judgment. “I became zero prophet, nor is actually I a kid away from an excellent prophet,” he teaches you, “however, I happened to be a good herdsman and a delicate out of sycamore good fresh fruit. Then the Lord required while i used the flock and you can nazwa użytkownika muzmatch the father believed to me personally, ‘Go, prophesy on my someone Israel'” (Amos eight:14-15).
Amos was over “just an effective shepherd.” From inside the Amos 1:1 the latest Hebrew keyword noqed ways an excellent keeper otherwise raiser out of sheep or goats (get a hold of II Leaders step 3:4), although it is oftentimes rendered since “shepherd.” Inside the Amos 7:14 “herdsman” (bowker) identifies large cows. God inspired a couple more terms and conditions to display that he try a great breeder of sheep (and possibly from cattle), offering others with inventory, and perhaps development and you will refining new breeds. A few of Amos’ home ore-fig orchard. Their ranch seemingly have already been quick sufficient which he is actually myself doing work in their procedure, no matter if he as well as appears to have been successful enough to bring time away so you can preach in the Israel.
Judging in the book’s vocabulary and magnificence, Amos has also been well-educated. Scholars court their usage of language due to the fact particularly expressive, vivid and you can forceful.
Amos authored during the an extremely high amount of time in Israel’s record (Amos 1:1). One another kings Jeroboam II off Israel (793-753 BC ) and you will Uzziah from Judah (791-739 BC ) preferred enough time and you will successful reigns. Their prophecy might be old prior to 750 BC , since the Uzziah’s man, Jotham (750-731 BC ), who reigned once the co-regent together with his dad to own eleven many years, is not stated.
The expression “2 years up until the earthquake” helps thin the book’s date. Archeological results unearthed in the Hazor within the north Palestine demonstrate that an enthusiastic strangely solid earthquake taken place in the 760 BC . In this case, Amos prophesied in about 762 BC . The definition of generally seems to limit their prophesying to that particular version of season, indicating that their prophetic craft is actually very short.
Yet not, the brand new prophet left a powerful content away from alerting and you can urgency that still rings which have truth and you will fervor
Many historians have concluded that 722 BC -40 years after-is actually when Assyria os’ warning content, Goodness in the compassion provided His those with an excellent 40-season age demo and research during which they might repent. History suggestions, although not, that Samaria dropped along with her survivors was indeed dragged for the captivity from inside the 718 BC .
Lifestyle keeps one Amos died a violent passing at the hand regarding Jeroboam II, however, zero historical records possess verified that it claim.
Far from becoming an enthusiastic illiterate shepherd, this new prophet try one of refinement and you will substance, aware of earlier in the day events and you may newest criteria during the Israel and you can Judah, along with the encompassing countries
“God roars from Zion, and utters His voice out of Jerusalem; the brand new pastures of your own shepherds mourn, and also the ideal of Carmel withers” (Amos 1:2). In the great outdoors a great lion roars just as it is in the so you can pounce towards the their target. Symbolically and you may metaphorically, this new roar out-of an excellent lion or perhaps the split out of thunder suggests the fresh certain input off Goodness in the human facts (We Samuel dos:10; Isaiah 31:6; 31:4; Hosea eleven:9-11; Revelation ).
In the middle-eighth 100 years BC when Amos preached, Israel’s financial base is actually largely when you look at the agriculture, however, a beneficial drought got begun to destabilize that base. The newest pastures had already started to have the ramifications of God’s booming, since the had Carmel, probably the most verdant section of Israel, and you can in addition, the going stronghold out of Baal. Amos proclaims the drought is the outcome of God’s judgment.
