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"The words of Amos"

Text: Amos 1:1

AN INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT

It was common among the Old Testament prophets to give a brief introduction of themselves at the beginning of their book.

“The words of Amos, who was
among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa…”
Amos 1:1

1. “The words of Amos”

a) What this phrase does not mean.

i) It does not mean the lack of Divine inspiration.

ii) It does not mean mere human knowledge.

b) What this phrase means

i) Even if it is not stated, the inspiration comes from the Lord Himself (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

ii) The writing of Scripture always comes from the Lord.

iii) Amos was allowed to use his own words to describe what he saw of the prophetic visions given to him.

2. “Tekoa”

a) This was the name of a town in the northern Kingdom of Judah.

b) This means that Amos was a citizen of Judah rather than Israel.

c) The town has been located near the Judean wilderness.

d) This was not very far from the famous town of Bethlehem (the birthplace of King David and the Lord Jesus Christ).

e) The region was not a rich district.

f) Some of the problems include uncertain rainfall.

g) This region was not great for the cultivation of crops.

3. “The sheepbreeders of Tekoa”

a) A common occupation was that of shepherding.

i) Goats

ii) Sheep

b) Amos was one of a number of sheepherders in Tekoa.

A SHEPHERD-PROPHET

It is amazing that God would choose a humble shepherd to be a servant of His, a prophet no less. From among the shepherds, God raised up David to be a king (2 Samuel 7:8).