Amos, means burden. He was from the South called to prophecy to the North during the time of Jeroboam II. Three main sections.

Chapter 1-2 Prophecies against the nations.

Amos brings a message of Gods judgment among the eight nations. The six Gentile nations are: (1) Damascus of Syria (1:3-5) (2) Gaza of Philistia on slavery (1:6-8), (3) Tyre of Phoenica (1:9-10), (4) Edom of Teman and Bozrah (1:11-12) (5) Ammon of Rabbah (1:13-15), (6) Moab of Kerioth (2:1-3). Then he went on to include Judah and Israel. Judah had rejected the law following after false gods (2:4-5). He then turned to Israel confronting them of 4 major sins corruptions of justice, shameless immorality, drunkenness and idolatry and forcing Nazarites to break their vows (2:6-6:14).

Chapter 3-6 Prophecies against Israel.

Each message begins with, Hear this word (3:1; 4:1; 5:1). The key to his message was a call for justice, a warning of judgments, But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (5:24) There were three messages:

Message #1 - Israels judgment is certain,

Message #2 - Israels sins are denounced

Message #3 - Israels doom being lamented

Chapter 7-9 Visions of the future.

Amos five visions of judgement to Israel with one about the glorious kingdom (Amos 9:11-15). (1) The locusts plague (7:1-3) (2) The fire (7:4-6) (3) The plumb line (7:7-9) God showed He was measuring Israel with a plumb line. (4) The basket of summer fruit (8:1-14) God showed a basket of summer fruit representing Israel ripe for judgment. (5) The ruined temple (9:1-10) God was standing at the altar as a Judge, passing sentence upon Israel, affirming the judgment. I will strike (9:1)

His concluding message was Restoration: Vision of the glorious kingdom (9:11-15); there are 4 affirmations of Gods mercy here, i.e., I will restore, repair, bring back and plant. A new day would dawn, replacing blight with blessing, sin with righteousness, and mans grief with Gods glory. The reaper will be overtaken by the ploughman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip down from the mountains. Israel will return to the land, never more to leave.

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