Yesterday, we began our series in Amos, looking at how this shepherd from the southern kingdom of Judah turned up in the (rival) northern kingdom of Israel, with a tactful message that went something like: “God speaks from my homeland, which is where he lives, not in any of the rival shrines you lot have built. And when he speaks, it’s a message of judgement on your idolatry. (Say, is there a Motel 7 anywhere near here, as I’ll be around for a while doing this whole judgement-oracle thing?)”

Let’s see if his next effort can endear him a little more to his audience. It’s a series of judgement oracles.

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A new series today, in the book of Amos.

Amos was a shepherd from Tekoa, in the southern kingdom of Judah, in the eighth century BC. And he was commissioned by God to prophesy in the northern kingdom of Israel, calling them back to obedience. Probably not the safest occupation, given the animosity between the two kingdoms.  But he doesn’t exactly endear himself to his audience with his opening words:

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