The Book of Amos
Amos, a shepherd-prophet from Judah sent north to Israel, thunders against injustice and empty religion, calling for righteousness to flow like a river.
- Testament
- Old (9 chapters)
- Type
- Minor Prophet
- Author
- Amos, a shepherd and fig-farmer from Tekoa in Judah.
- Date
- Active roughly 760-750 BC during a prosperous but corrupt period in the northern kingdom.
Justice and worship are inseparable
Amos savages a religion that meets weekly while crushing the poor on weekdays. God says: 'I hate, I despise your feast days... let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream' (5:21, 24). The line has been the engine of every Christian justice movement since.
Privilege and accountability
Israel imagined God's favor protected them from consequence. Amos insists: God has chosen them, therefore he will hold them to account — 'You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you' (3:2). Privilege without faithfulness is doom.
Key verses (KJV)
“Let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” — Amos 5:24 (KJV)
“Seek the LORD, and ye shall live.” — Amos 5:6 (KJV)
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” — Amos 3:3 (KJV)
How to read Amos
Read straight through — nine short chapters. Chapter 5 is the heart. The closing vision (9:11-15) is a startling note of hope after the storm.
Read Amos on your iPhone
Read the full book of Amos in Quiethaven — choose your translation, read offline, and pick up where you left off. Pair it with a daily verse and a prayer timer.
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