Of the mistrust between the two individuals, it’s ironic one to God-sent a good Jew in order to warn the newest Israelites of their coming wisdom. “I became zero prophet, neither is I a man out of a beneficial prophet,” he demonstrates to you, “however, I was an effective herdsman and you can a tender regarding sycamore good fresh fruit. Then your Lord required whenever i implemented the fresh flock and you may the lord thought to myself, ‘Wade, prophesy to my some one Israel'” (Amos seven:14-15).
Amos was more than “merely a great shepherd.” During the Amos step 1:1 brand new Hebrew word noqed implies a beneficial keeper otherwise raiser out of sheep or goats (find II Leaders step three:4), although it might be rendered just like the “shepherd.” In Amos 7:14 “herdsman” (bowker) refers to higher cows. God inspired one or two some other terminology to show he is actually good breeder off sheep (and perhaps regarding cattle), offering others which have inventory, and maybe development and you may refining the fresh new breeds. A number of Amos’ belongings ore-fig orchard. Their farm appears to have become short enough that he is personally working in the operation, though the guy and additionally seems to have been successful adequate to get time off in order to preach from inside the Israel.
Judging regarding the book’s words and magnificence, Amos has also been well educated. Students courtroom his the means to access language as such expressive, vivid and you can forceful.
Amos typed from the a very significant amount of time in Israel’s records (Amos step one:1). Each other kings Jeroboam II from Israel (793-753 BC ) and you may Uzziah off Judah (791-739 BC ) appreciated enough time and successful reigns. Their prophecy are going to be old just before 750 BC , just like the Uzziah’s child, Jotham (750-731 BC ), just who reigned because the co-regent together with his father having eleven ages, is not stated.
The definition of “24 months up until the disturbance” helps you to narrow brand new book’s date. Archeological findings unearthed at the Hazor inside the northern Palestine reveal that an enthusiastic oddly strong disturbance taken place regarding the 760 BC . In this case, Amos prophesied within 762 BC . The word generally seems to limitation his prophesying to this form of year, indicating you to their prophetic interest try quick.
But not, the prophet remaining an effective message of alerting and you will importance you to definitely nonetheless rings spiritual singles desktop having realities and you can fervor
Of many historians has figured 722 BC -40 years afterwards-was when Assyria os’ alerting content, Jesus in the compassion considering His people who have a great forty-seasons ages of demonstration and you will analysis during which they may repent. History details, however, one to Samaria dropped along with her survivors was indeed pulled to the captivity into the 718 BC .
Culture retains you to Amos passed away a violent passing on hand off Jeroboam II, but zero historic information possess confirmed which allege.
Away from being an enthusiastic illiterate shepherd, the new prophet are one of subtlety and you may material, alert to early in the day occurrences and you may latest conditions during the Israel and Judah, along with the nearby nations
“The lord roars off Zion, and you will utters Their sound of Jerusalem; the new pastures of one’s shepherds mourn, as well as the most readily useful from Carmel withers” (Amos step 1:2). In the wild an effective lion roars just as it’s throughout the to pounce with the the target. Symbolically and you can metaphorically, the fresh roar away from a lion or even the break off thunder reveals the latest forthcoming input from God from inside the person items (I Samuel dos:10; Isaiah 29:6; 31:4; Hosea eleven:9-11; Revelation ).
Regarding the middle-8th millennium BC when Amos preached, Israel’s monetary base try mainly in farming, but an effective drought had started to destabilize you to basis. The brand new pastures had already started to have the effects of God’s booming, once the got Carmel, the absolute most verdant part of Israel, and you can in addition, the new going stronghold away from Baal. Amos proclaims that the drought is the results of God’s judgment.
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