Saint Amos

Amos was one of the Twelve Minor Prophets of the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament. According to the Bible, Amos was the older contemporary of Hosea and Isaiah and was active c. 760–755 BC during the rule of kings Jeroboam II of Israel and Uzziah of the Kingdom of Judah and is portrayed as being from the southern Kingdom of Judah yet preaching in the northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria). The prophet is characterized as speaking against an increased disparity between the wealthy and the poor with themes of justice, God's omnipotence, and divine judgment. The Book of Amos is attributed to him. In recent years, scholars have grown more skeptical of the Book of Amos's presentation of Amos's biography and background. Before becoming a prophet, Amos was a shepherd and a sycamore fig farmer from Teqoaʿ. Amos aimed his prophetic message at the northern kingdom of Israel, particularly the cities of Samaria and Bethel. Teqoaʿ is often identified with Teqoaʿ south of Jerusalem, but Gary Rendsburg notes that the Teqoaʿ in question was in the Galilee in the Kingdom of Samaria. Amos's prior professions and his claim "I am not a prophet nor a son of a prophet" (7:14) indicates that Amos was not from the school of prophets, which Amos claims would qualify him as a true prophet. Amos's declaration marks a turning point in the development of Biblical prophecy. It is not mere chance that Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and almost all of the prophets given significant coverage in the Hebrew Bible give first of all the story of their special calling. All of them seek to protest against the suspicion that they are professional prophets because the latter discredited themselves by flattering national vanities and ignoring the misdeeds of prominent men.