Amos burden-bearer

To Israel. Israel’s enemies were busy elsewhere so there was time for them to trade with friendly nations. The rich were getting richer but the poor were getting poorer. Corruption, greed, and pride had taken over, not to mention spiritual complacency.

Amos lived in Judah, yet the Lord sent him to Israel in the north to warn the people to repent of oppressing the poor. This book starts by listing other nations that the Lord had already punished for their evil deeds. Israel would also be punished. But the Lord in His compassion did not completely destroy them. Even in His justice, the Lord shows mercy.