Title
As with each of the Minor Prophets, the title comes from the name of the prophet to whom God gave His message (1:1). Amos’ name means “burden” or “burden-bearer.” He is not to be confused with Amoz (“stout, strong”), the father of Isaiah (Is 1:1).
Author and Date
Amos was from Tekoa, a small village 10 mi. S of Jerusalem. He was the only prophet to give his occupation before declaring his divine commission. He was not of priestly or noble descent, but worked as a “sheepherder” (1:1; cf. 2Ki 3:4) and a “grower of sycamore figs” (7:14) and was a contemporary of Jonah (2Ki 14:25), Hosea (Hos 1:1), and Isaiah (Is 1:1). The date of writing is mid-eighth century b.c., during the reigns of Uzziah, king of Judah (ca. 790–739 b.c.) and Jeroboam II, king of Israel (ca. 793–753 b.c.), two years before a memorable earthquake (1:1; cf. Zec 14:5).
Background and Setting
Amos was a Judean prophet called to deliver a message primarily to the northern tribes of Israel (7:15). Politically, it was a time of prosperity under the long and secure reign of Jeroboam II who, following the example of his father Joash (2Ki 13:25), significantly “restored the border of Israel” (2Ki 14:25). It was also a time of peace with both Judah (cf. 5:5) and her more distant neighbors; the ever-present menace of Assyria was subdued, possibly because of Nineveh’s repentance at the preaching of Jonah (Jon 3:10). Spiritually, however, it was a time of rampant corruption and moral decay (4:1; 5:10–13; 2Ki 14:24).
Historical and Theological Themes
Amos addresses Israel’s two primary sins: 1) an absence of true worship, and 2) a lack of justice. In the midst of their ritualistic performance of worship, they were not pursuing the Lord with their hearts (4:4, 5; 5:4–6) nor following His standard of justice with their neighbors (5:10–13; 6:12). This apostasy, evidenced by continual, willful rejection of the prophetic message of Amos, is promised divine judgment. Because of His covenant, however, the Lord will not abandon Israel altogether, but will bring future restoration to the righteous remnant (9:7–15).
Interpretive Challenges
In 9:11, the Lord promised that He “will raise up the fallen booth of David.” At the Jerusalem Council, convened to discuss whether Gentiles should be allowed into the church without requiring circumcision, James quotes this passage (Ac 15:15, 16) to support Peter’s report of how God had taken “from among the Gentiles a people for His name” (Ac 15:14). Some have thus concluded that the passage was fulfilled in Jesus, the greater Son of David, through whom the dynasty of David was reestablished. The Acts reference, however, is best seen as an illustration of Amos’ words and not the fulfillment. The temporal allusions to a future time (“In that day,” 9:11), when Israel will “possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations” (9:12), when the Lord will “plant them on their land, and they will not again be rooted out from their land which I have given them” (9:15), all make it clear that the prophet is speaking of Messiah’s return at the Second Advent to sit upon the throne of David (cf. Is 9:7), not the establishment of the church by the apostles.
Outline
I. Judgments Against the Nations (1:1–2:16)
A. Introduction (1:1, 2)
B. Against Israel’s Enemies (1:3–2:3)
C. Against Judah (2:4, 5)
D. Against Israel (2:6–16)
II. Condemnations Against Israel (3:1–6:14)
A. Sin of Irresponsibility (3:1–15)
B. Sin of Idolatry (4:1–13)
C. Sin of Moral/Ethical Decay (5:1–6:14)
III. Visions of Judgment and Restoration (7:1–9:15)
A. The Lord Will Spare (7:1–6)
1. Vision of locusts (7:1–3)
2. Vision of fire (7:4–6)
B. The Lord Will No Longer Spare (7:7–9:10)
1. Vision of the plumb line (7:7–9)
2. Historical interlude (7:10–17)
3. Vision of the fruit basket (8:1–14)
4. Vision of the altar (9:1–10)
C. The Lord Will Restore (9:11–15)
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
To purchase John MacArthur’s complete Study Bible visit https://www.gty.org/store/bibles/44NASHC
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