The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. (1:1)
History of Amos:
- In the fifteenth year of Amaziah..., king of Judah, Jeroboam (II) the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years...
- He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah (Dead Sea), according to the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai... (2 Kings 14:23-27)
Israel at the time of Amos
- Israel is blessed
- Success in military campaigns, restoration of borders, national prosperity (3:15, 6:4-6)
- Israel is chosen
- Chosen Nation (3:2)
- Prophesied by Jonah (2 Kings 14:25)
- Israel is devoted
- Regular worship and offerings (4:4-5, 5:21-22)
Israel is blessed to be a blessing. (6:4-6, 5:11-12)
Israel is chosen to live to a higher standard. (3:2)
Israel must be devoted to worship and righteousness (4:4-5; 5:21-23)
Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate. (Amos 6:14-15)
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