The Book of Amos is the third book of the Minor Prophets, after Hosea and Joel. It is the thirtieth book of the Old Testament; the thirtieth book of the Bible. The divinely inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) and spirit led (2 Peter 1:20-21) author of Amos is Amos, specifically named in the first verse.
Audience: Though Amos was from Judea, he was called to minister to those in the northern kingdom of Israel who lived during the reign of Jeroboam II. This king did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord (2 Kings 14:24) and lived during the same time as the prophet Jonah (2 Kings 14:25). Despite the evil of the time, the Lord saved Israel by the hand of Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14:27). Those living in this area and time experienced an evil ruler, yet God was still at work in their land. Amos called the people to repentance during this difficult time.
The time frame of this prophecy is approximately 762 BC. This is forty years before the northern nation called Israel is going to be overthrow and wiped out by the Assyrian Empire. This is a time of prosperity and wealth for the northern nation. Under the reign of Jeroboam II, the nation has established its borders and regained power that it had not seen since the reign of Solomon. The reign of Jeroboam II was a reign of peace and prosperity for the northern kingdom. Nations that usually were a threat, such as Egypt, Babylon, Syria, and Assyria, were in a period of relative weakness, which offered security to Israel. This security enabled them to enjoy a period of great prosperity.
The first verse of the book tells us that Amos is the prophet, but he is not an ordinary prophet. Rather, he is a livestock breeder who lives in the town of Tekoa, which is ten miles south of Jerusalem. This offers Amos a unique perspective. First, he is not from Israel, but from the southern nation called Judah. Second, Amos will speak forcefully against the wealth and prosperity of the nation because he has not participated in this prosperity. Proper credentials for God’s spokespersons is not formal training, formal ordination, or an official title. These things do not qualify a person to speak for God. Biblically speaking, only one who has the revelation from God has the proper credentials to speak for God.