Holier Than Thou

Who wrote the books of the Bible and when?

Book of Amos, containing the prophecies of Amos during the reign of Jeroboam II, King of Israel, and Uzziah, King of Judah, was written around the eighth century (760-750) B.C. by Amos the shepherd. Amos was a contemporary of Isaiah and Micah and predecessor to Hosea, who came from Judah to prophesy about the coming destruction of Israel, although it was doubtful they would take heed and repent. He also preached against the oppression of the Jewish nobles and officials of their own people. He proclaimed that justice and righteousness were more important to God than sacrifices and offerings (Amos 5:21-24). The Book of Amos includes:

Judgment on Israel's neighbors, including Judah
The Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets
The Lord punished Israel, but they refused to repent
The day of the Lord is nothing to look forward to
Israel accused of being complacent and proud
The Lord shows Amos that a plumb line had been set against Israel to which the people did not measure
Amaziah the priest tells Amos to take his prophecies back to Judah where he came from
The Lord shows Amos a basket of ripe fruit and announces that Israel's time had come
Prophecy of Israel's destruction and restoration

Amos answered Amaziah, "I was neither a prophet nor a prophet's son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.' Now then, hear the word of the Lord. You say, 'Do not prophesy against Israel, and stop preaching against the house of Isaac.' Therefore this is what the Lord says: 'Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be measured and divided up, and you yourself will die in a pagan country. And Israel will certainly go into exile, away from their native land.' " (Amos 7:14-17)