These first verses provide the necessary background and set the theme for the book. Amos stands at a pivotal moment in biblical history as the first of the writing prophets, marking the beginning of a prophetic tradition that would profoundly shape Israel’s understanding of God’s will and character. Unlike other Ancient Near Eastern nations, which often recorded royal decrees or temple hymns, Israel’s prophetic books uniquely preserve God’s direct word to His people, delivered through chosen messengers.

The opening verse introduces Amos and his role in this prophetic work. The book consists of the words of Amos, a collection of his prophetic messages, which may have been written down by Amos himself or preserved by his disciples. Though these are his words, they originate from what he saw—a divine revelation, not personal opinions or reflections. Amos does not speak from his own initiative but as one compelled by the vision of God. The structure of the book suggests that his prophetic ministry began with visions (which will become prominent in the second half of the book) and was then accompanied by his public preaching. This reflects the broader pattern of biblical revelation—God speaks, His prophets respond, and their words are recorded as Scripture so that future generations might hear and obey.

We know little about Amos outside this book. He was from Tekoa, a small town in Judah, located south of Jerusalem. He describes himself as a sheep-farmer—a term that suggests he was not merely a shepherd but possibly a breeder of sheep or an overseer of shepherds. His background implies that he was not a religious leader or a professional prophet but rather a man of the land, called unexpectedly to a divine mission. This calling reinforces a biblical theme: God often chooses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes, ensuring that the authority of their message is clearly from Him, not from human credentials.

Though Amos was from Judah, his primary audience was the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His ministry occurred during the reigns of King Jeroboam II (Israel) and Uzziah (Judah). This places his preaching a few years before 760 BC, as he tells us it was spoken two years before the earthquake—a major seismic event estimated to have occurred around 760 BC. This earthquake was so significant that it was still referenced two centuries later in Zechariah 14:5. The earthquake serves as a confirmation of Amos’ prophetic message—his warnings of judgment were not empty words but were validated by a real, historical disaster. According to Deuteronomy 18, one of the tests of a true prophet was whether their words came to pass. The fulfillment of Amos’ predicted earthquake affirms his divine commission and should cause his listeners to take his warnings seriously.

The second verse functions as a thematic introduction to the book, summarizing the core message of Amos. Several of the images in these verses will return throughout the book: in chapter 3, God roars like a lion, in chapter 4, the land withers, and in chapters 5 and 8, mourning becomes a key theme. These opening lines foreshadow the coming judgment and the urgency of the prophet’s message.

Yahweh, the great warrior, comes from His residence in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is where He has set His name and the place where He has authorized His people to worship Him. Unlike the sanctuaries in Israel, which had become corrupt, Yahweh’s dwelling remains the true place of worship. His coming from Zion is significant—it signals that He is not fighting on behalf of His people but against them. This immediately raises a key question: What has provoked Yahweh’s anger? The rest of the book will answer this.

The passage begins with Yahweh’s name, signaling that this book is fundamentally about God—His message, His character, and His actions. The first description of Yahweh is that He roars from Zion. The lion, the largest predator in the biblical world, was a real danger to travelers and shepherds in ancient Israel. The roar of a lion was a signal of imminent attack, a warning that the lion was about to strike. This image of God as a roaring lion is found elsewhere in Scripture, including Joel 3:16, Hosea 11:10, and Jeremiah 25:30. In these passages, God’s roar signifies His coming judgment. For Amos, this signals that God is no longer merely calling to His people—He is now roaring in warning, about to act.

Alongside the image of the lion, Yahweh’s voice is also described in terms of a powerful storm. In biblical tradition, storms often accompany divine revelation—God revealed Himself to Israel through a storm at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19), and in Psalm 29, His voice is compared to thunder that shakes the earth. Storms also symbolize God’s power over chaos, as seen in Job 38, where God speaks from the whirlwind. Here in Amos, God’s storm does not bring blessing but destruction—the land withers before Him.

The impact of Yahweh’s coming is devastating. The pastures of the shepherds dry up, and Mount Carmel withers. The pastures represent the agricultural livelihood of the people, which will suffer under divine judgment. This image would have been especially vivid for Amos, a shepherd himself. Mount Carmel, one of the most fertile regions in Israel, was known for its vineyards, olive groves, and rich pastures. Its name means "vineyard of God," and its flourishing land symbolized Israel’s prosperity. The fact that even Carmel will wither is a powerful declaration—if the most fertile land in the nation cannot withstand God's judgment, then nothing can.

This verse also highlights a crucial biblical truth: the wickedness of the people does not only affect them but also the land itself. In biblical theology, sin is not merely an individual or national problem—it is a cosmic disorder that disrupts creation itself. The curses in Deuteronomy 28 warned that covenant unfaithfulness would result in drought, famine, and barrenness. Similarly, Isaiah 24:4-6 speaks of the earth mourning and withering because of humanity’s rebellion against God. The land suffers when the people sin, emphasizing the interconnectedness of humanity and creation. Amos' message makes it clear: when injustice and idolatry abound, all creation groans under the weight of judgment.