Amos preaches to God’s people when the nation of Israel is fat, self-impressed, and wealthy. These features easily lead to a society where justice is overlooked, religion is a show rather than a heart commitment, morality is thrown aside and those with less suffer. Amos lets Israel know that God is not okay with such living, and that judgement is always on the way for the wrong we commit.
Amos’ society may seem to be just like ours! We’re wealthy, we’re immoral, and injustice and wrong is everywhere. Amos’ message calls for repentance and change, but it also includes hope. God is going to crush all that is wrong and put it right. Sometimes now, and certainly in the end, but he also makes a way through by his grace, just as he planned from the beginning of Creation.