Amos comes from Tekoa, a small town not so far from Bethlehem. He makes his living by taking care of sheep and sycamore-fig tree. He comes not from a royal family or priestly class, but God calls him to speak forth primarily to the people of Israel, and also to Judah. He speaks forth God's word during the time of Uzziah of Judah (792-740 BC) and Jeroboam II of Israel ( 793-753 BC).
During the days Amos speaks forth God's word, Israel's religious life do not please God. People lead a lifestyle far away from that which would please God. Amos speaks forth God's fury against corrupt lifestyle. God words through Amos is relevant even today for people who profess to believe in Yahweh. But how do we conduct our lives now in ways that God hates? Reading through the book of Amos will bring out similarities between their corrupt lives then and our corrupt lives now.
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