Bible Study

A second way of looking at Amos’ criticism, is that the wealthy believed they could continue in their unjust conduct so long as they paid God off with their frequent sacrifices.  Think about how your type of worship can easily become a me-centric empty formalism where God is no longer the object of the service.

We, like the Israelites, believe ourselves to be God’s chosen people and tend to see that designation as giving God’s blessing to whatever we do without realizing that the designation holds us to a higher standard. How would this Canadian Amos critique American conduct during our recent wars?

As you read these chapters, see how Amos speaks to you and to our society. As Heschel writes, “The things that horrified the prophets are even now daily occurrences all over the world.  There is no society to which Amos’ words would not apply.” 

Amos is not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture. He says he was from Tekoa, which is a small village in the southern kingdom of Judah near Jerusalem. Amos denies that he is a prophet and says his true profession is that of a herdsman and dress of sycamore trees.

The prophet sees as God sees, and experiences that same anger and frustration as God does when met with apostasy and injustice. When the people cease to love God or to love their neighbor, the prophet speaks.