... Amos was not a poor sheep herdsman. The word herdsman, used to describe his occupation, was not the common Hebrew word used to refer to shepherds. The Hebrew word means sheep-master, and refers to the owners of a special breed of sheep, famous for their wool. Amos may have been one of the more important men in his region, Tekoa. Tekoa was a village about ten miles south of Jerusalem. It was situated atop a large hill some 2800 feet above sea level. Since he already had an occupation he did not have to prophesy for money. He prophesied because God had called him to do so. Like many other prophets Amos was called directly by God through some divine intervention. God "took" him from his flocks and said, "Go and prophesy to my people Israel."(Amos 7:15) In the eyes of the humble shepherd this must have appeared a very ...

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