Theme - It was during the reign of Uzziah in Judah and Jeroboam II in the Northern Kingdom that Amos laboured and wrote. Material prosperity prevailed in both kingdoms, especially in Northern Israel, and reached its zenith of outward greatness and glory under Jeroboam II. Yet, social evils swept the whole country; the rich oppressed the poor; luxury and extravagance and profligacy were universal; and true religion was at its lowest ebb.

In the midst of these distressing moral and religious apostasies, Amos stands out as a "prophet of righteousness"; he magnifies Jehovah as the one true God, all-wise, all-powerful, omnipresent, righteous, merciful, whose favour can be secured only by forsaking sin and practising righteousness. He solemnly warns Israel that destruction of the nation is inevitable because of her sins, and within fifty years those prophecies were literally fulfilled.

Outline - Amos has four main parts: I. Judgments on Countries and Cities Surrounding Israel (1:1-2:3) II. Judgments on Judah and Israel (2:4-16) III. Jehovah's Controversy with the House of Jacob (3:1-9:10) IV. Promised Restoration and the Messianic Kingdom (9:11-15)