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The Book of Amos is a prophetic text attributed to the prophet Amos, who was a shepherd from the southern kingdom of Judah but called to prophesy to the northern kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BCE. Amos delivers powerful messages of judgment, focusing on Israel’s social injustice, religious hypocrisy, and moral decay. Unlike many of the other prophets, Amos directs his warnings toward the wealthy elite and ruling classes, condemning their exploitation of the poor and the corruption of justice in society.Amos begins by pronouncing judgment not only on Israel but also on the surrounding nations for their sins. However, the primary focus is on Israel, where prosperity and religious activity are abundant, but genuine righteousness is lacking. Amos denounces their hollow worship practices, emphasizing that God desires justice and righteousness over ritualistic sacrifices. His famous call to "let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream" (Amos 5:24) encapsulates his central message that social justice is integral to faithfulness to God.