The Book of Amos is an intriguing Scripture from a unique individual, Amos, a shepherd and fig tree farmer dwelling in southern Judah who is called by God to go to Bethel and announce warnings of judgment to the northern kingdom of Israel. Northern Israel had conquered other nations and enjoyed its recent successes, but was spiritually bankrupt on the inside. Worshiping local pagan gods twisted their moral perceptions, and the people of Israel infamously cheated, stole and sold their poor into slavery in foreign lands.
God is grieved by the evils he sees the people of Israel doing, but through His mercy, He is willing to give them another chance to change their ways. What can we learn by reading Amos today? Through Amos' wisdom, we discover that doing the right thing and loving others is more important than sacrifice to God, who desires to renew the hearts of everything through His coming Messiah King.