The Message of Amos

The Bible Speaks Today: Old Testament

by J. Alec Motyer

"Affluence, exploitation and the profit motive were the most notable features of the society which Amos observed and in which he worked . . . "Standards had gone to pot. Authority and the rule of law were despised, and national leadership, while reeling in the publicity and dignity of position . . . Seemed to be contributing to the complete breakdown of law and order." Thus J. A. Motyer exposes and explains the astonishingly relevant--but never popular--message of the prophet Amos. Michael Green says, "Alec Motyer has clearly got the spirit of Amos in his blood. He loves the prophet from Tekoa, and takes endless pains to give full weight to every syllable of the prophecy. He is, of course, a distinguished scholar, and we are given full value on that front; but you will find here none of the dreary academic deadness which all too often comes through in commentary work."

Genres: Theology, Old Testament, Biblical Studies, Christian, Christianity

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1974

About the author

J. Alec Motyer (M.A., B.D., D.D.) was formerly principal of Trinity College in Bristol, England. He has extensive experience in parish ministry and is well known as a Bible expositor. He is author of The Prophecy of Isaiah, and he is Old Testament editor of IVP's commentary series, The Bible Speaks Today. He has written several volumes in that series.

Reviews

[curtis]

Motyer has few rivals as an expositor, and this commentary is a wonderful example of that. Though far from technical, and thoroughly accessible in every way, this short commentary was nevertheless one I found myself wading through slowly in order to properly consider and appreciate its wisdom and insight into the biblical text. Devotionally rich and challenging, this is a commentary I wish every Christian would read at least once. Highest possible recommendation.

[Alex]

Solid narrative that gives a modern-day voice to an ancient prophet. But Motyer set the bar so high with his work on Isaiah that it is difficult to match the standard.

[Wayne]

Wonderful commentary on Amos. Used devotionally and found it helpful as a guide through this minor prophet. Would recommend.

[Andy Littleton]

Motyer opens up Amos and makes it feel as if it’s not only applicable, but necessary today!

[Chad Grindstaff]

Motyer is wonderful in this. Excellent insights and I love how he draws this out to things that are practical and tied to Christ.

[Pat Phelps]

This is a very readable, but a semi-technical, commentary on the book of Amos. Our church just finished preaching Amos and Motyer’s commentary was extremely helpful. The author does a nice job of expounding the scripture, but again it is a more technical commentary, which provides much more in-depth detail. The author also provides helpful historical background relevant to the text.

You could use this commentary for deeper theological study of Amos; however, it would also be a great companion to a Bible study or sermon series on the book.

“Take Up And Read” - Saint Augustine.

[James Tetley]

Solid, but lacked a little in the Christo enteric approach to the book. Motyer captures the emptiness of faith without deeds, and the abuse of the poor. The picture of religious activity, with no corresponding heart for God or the outcasts. There were a few places where I would have liked a clearer explanation of a verse, and it lacked a little in contemporary application in the light of the gospel of Christ.

[Troy Solava]

I forgot I was reading a commentary many times as I worked through this- which is a compliment! Mother writes so devotionally and yet as an authority. This was my primary commentary for preaching through Amos.

I wish it was a bit more structured, especially when I was trying to look up a specific verse or phrase.

I normally don’t count commentaries as a “book read” but this reads like a Christian living book.

[Danielw]

I have heard that Motyers work on Isaiah is his masterpiece. If that’s the case I need to read that ASAP because his commentary on Amos is most excellent! Time and again Motyer digs through the Scriptures to illuminate so many of these passages bringing many things to light I would probably never have noticed myself. It’s not a technical commentary so anyone can read this and benefit from it.

[Clare Gilbert]

The author, although not Jewish, has based his narrative on the book of Amos according to the Hebrew scriptures.

G-d's judgement upon Israel and the church is an unexpected but profound take on what most believers do not even consider to be part of the Creator's plan.

For those who want a different take on things in the last days, this book is a revelation!

[Ian Rees]

This is another of Motyer's commentaries that I have had on my shelves for years (since 1982 to be precise) but not used until now. It has all of his usual thoroughness of writing, looking carefully at the structure of the text and linking its message with other parts of the Scripture. Excellent.

[Deiniol Williams]

4.5 stars, an excellent commentary that is concise and useful as a devotional read or a study guide. Draws very helpful links between the meaning of the text for the original reader and the meaning for us today.

[Nathan Harris]

A great resource for Amos. It's not a technical commentary; however, Motyer gets to the kernel of substance in each pericope and makes it sing. I paired this with Stewart's WBC on Hosea-Jonah and found they complemented each other well.

[Mitch Bedzyk]

Everything Motyer writes is gold. So grateful for his ministry.

[Russell Hayes]

Phenomenal commentary! I look forward to the authors other works, especially Isaiah. Many riches to glean here.

[Tim]

The joy of Motyer is that he is not so concerned with putting Amos into its historical context, but in getting Amos into those who are reading it today. It is pietistic (and I mean that in a very positive sense) with enough scholarship of history and language, but they are not the first concern. That concern is for the reader not to escape from thinking about what the book means today and for the church. My critique is that in making it so pietistic and for today, something is removed from the prophet's message about judgment (he overemphasizes eternal security where the text says nothing of it) and the prophet's social concerns (about society not just the church).

"This is full salvation. It left them, as it leaves us, inexcusable if we fail to become like God."
"For we are as prone as any earlier age - back to and including the days when Amos addressed the nation-church of Israel - to lean on natural and acquired skills, to blame our misfortunes on the adversity of our circumstances and the peculiar difficulties of the age in which we live, and to discount the opposition and alienation of God."
"They speak of our first practical duty and our continuing basic concern: are we right with God? Can we with credibility believe that He is on our side?"
"Sin is desperately serious among the people of God."
"To walk with God in the covenant of sonship is not a soft option."

[Peter Krol]

A helpful introduction to a challenging book, though not quite as helpful as I expected it to be. Motyer's way of structuring the book is almost too clever and doesn't account for literary devices or repetitions. His exposition largely centers around the strange way he divides the book's units.

His application, however, was top notch and kept me going until the end.

[Adam]

Read most of it. I love any commentary by Motyer; this is no exception. His application is especially great.

[Rob]

Great commentary on Amos.

[Lesley Joy]

Really interesting but used for essays and sermons

[Ryan]

This was a fantastic guide to help me through Amos. Motyer is an excellent scholar, clear in his writing, and constantly pointing back to the text.