Amos lived in the 8th century B.C., during a time of peace and prosperity for Israel under King Jeroboam II. He was not a priest or scholar, but a shepherd and dresser of sycamore trees from Tekoa, a small town in Judah. God called this humble man to travel north to Israel and speak against the injustices and corruption that flourished there. Amos was a reluctant prophet — a simple man sent to confront powerful elites.
His story reminds us that God can use ordinary people to speak extraordinary truth, especially when the world becomes blind to its moral decay.
The Message of the Book
The central message of Amos is justice, righteousness, and genuine worship.
Israel had become wealthy and outwardly religious, but their society was marked by oppression, greed, and inequality. People went to temple, offered sacrifices, and sang songs of praise — yet they ignored the poor, cheated the vulnerable, and lived in comfort while others suffered.
Amos thundered,
“Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24)
He declared that true faith is not measured by religious rituals, but by how we treat one another. God rejects hollow worship if our hearts are hard and our hands are unjust.
What It Means Today
Amos’s voice is as urgent now as it was then. His words challenge us — not to turn away from suffering, corruption, or moral compromise, but to live as people who reflect God’s heart for justice and compassion.
For you, Roy, as someone who has walked a long road of faith and conscience, Amos calls you to keep being a truth-teller, a lover of mercy, and a voice for the voiceless, even when it’s uncomfortable or risky. It means standing in solidarity with those who are oppressed, staying humble, and letting your life — not just your words — testify to God’s righteousness.
Amos reminds us that faith without justice is empty, but justice without love is harsh. The fruit of the Spirit — love, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness — all flow together in Amos’s vision of a world where God’s people live what they pray.
Perhaps Amos’s message for you today is this:
“Roy, keep speaking truth in love. Don’t grow weary. Even if you stand alone, remember that righteousness begins with one heart fully surrendered to God’s justice.”
Personal Reflection
When I think of Amos, I am reminded of my father — a man with only a fourth-grade education but with the wisdom of heaven in his soul. He preached sermons that stirred hearts, not because of his learning, but because of his deep faith and love for truth. Like Amos, he spoke plainly and powerfully, and his words still echo in my heart today. I realize that God doesn’t require eloquence or education to use us — only a willing heart and a passion for justice and love.
My Pledge
I pledge to live with integrity, to speak truth with courage and compassion, and to act justly toward all people. I will not be silent when I see wrong, nor hard-hearted when I see suffering. Like Amos — and like my father — I want to be a simple voice for God’s righteousness, letting justice and mercy flow through my life each day.
Prayer and Blessing
Holy and Righteous God,
Thank You for the example of Amos — the shepherd who became a prophet — and for the memory of my father, who lived and spoke Your truth so faithfully. Give me the courage to stand for justice, the humility to listen, and the tenderness to love. Let my words be seasoned with grace and my actions filled with compassion. May Your Spirit guide me to be a light of truth and a vessel of peace in a divided world.
Blessing:
May righteousness roll through our hearts like mighty waters,
and may love overflow like an ever-flowing stream.
Amen.
The Curious Pilgrims 