Day 183 – Amos: Overview of Amos’s timeline
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” Amos 5:24 NLT
As a shepherd who tended sycamore-fig trees in the southern kingdom (Judah), Amos knew the devastating implications of a locust plague and the visions and warnings he received would have been understood by the people too. Amos served as a prophet to Israel (northern kingdom) from 760 to 750 BC.
During that time, Israel was enjoying peace and economic prosperity. But this blessing had caused the people to become selfish and materialistic as a society. Those who were well-off ignored the needs of those who were less fortunate. Their self-centredness and indifference towards God were part of the problem leading them away from Him. Amos’s main message was against those who exploited or ignored those in need and those who rejected God’s commands and were indifferent to His values.
Amos’s message application today is that believing in God is more than a matter of individual faith. God calls all believers to work against injustices in society and to aid people who are in need.
Prayer: Father, thank You for giving us Amos and his message, still applicable to us today. Sow in our hearts kindness and love, and the command to love others, so we can live our lives as testimonies of Your mercy and love. Amen.
