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Commentaries
1:1 - 1:2
Title of the Book.
The initial verses depict Amos not as a poor hired shepherd but as a cattle owner called to prophesy in the eighth century, a period of political stability and prosperity, especially in the kingdom of Israel (the northern kingdom). As in Joel 4:16, the Lord “roars” from the temple in Jerusalem when this prophet is sent to confront unfaithfulness and injustice in the northern kingdom with God’s word and to judge the violence of the nations.
1:3 - 2:16
Crime and Punishment of Eight Nations.
The “roar” of the Lord is a metaphor illustrating how God’s wrath strikes the seven nations surrounding Israel for their violence and cruelty (1:3-2:3). The inclusion of Judah (2:4), the sister kingdom in the south, demonstrates the impartiality of the judgment. It is noteworthy that the first crime against the covenant Israel is accused of is the selling of the poor into slavery because they cannot pay their debts (2:6). Additionally, there is legal neglect of the weak (2:7b), sexual perversion (2:7b), abuse of others’ property (2:8a), and idolatry (2:8b).
Commentaries
Title of the Book.
The initial verses depict Amos not as a poor hired shepherd but as a cattle owner called to prophesy in the eighth century, a period of political stability and prosperity, especially in the kingdom of Israel (the northern kingdom). As in Joel 4:16, the Lord “roars” from the temple in Jerusalem when this prophet is sent to confront unfaithfulness and injustice in the northern kingdom with God’s word and to judge the violence of the nations.
Crime and Punishment of Eight Nations.
The “roar” of the Lord is a metaphor illustrating how God’s wrath strikes the seven nations surrounding Israel for their violence and cruelty (1:3-2:3). The inclusion of Judah (2:4), the sister kingdom in the south, demonstrates the impartiality of the judgment. It is noteworthy that the first crime against the covenant Israel is accused of is the selling of the poor into slavery because they cannot pay their debts (2:6). Additionally, there is legal neglect of the weak (2:7b), sexual perversion (2:7b), abuse of others’ property (2:8a), and idolatry (2:8b).