JOEL

Little is known about the author or the date of his work, but the many references to Jerusalem and Judah cause critics to associate him with the southern tribes. The book is divided into two sections—the first deals with a terrible plague of locusts and drought while the second speaks of the coming Day of the Lord in apocalyptic language. No one knows if the plague was real; if not, it could be a symbol for coming political destruction or moral decay. Acts 2:16-21 is a sermon by Peter; it refers to Joel chapter 2 as part of his message. There are signs that some of the prophets knew each other’s works. See Isaiah 2:4/Joel 4:10 and Joel 3:16-18/Amos 1:2, 9:13. Joel speaks of the Day of the Lord. Other books in the Bible refer to this day as well.

AMOS

A lowly shepherd, Amos was a prophet to the northern tribes when they were wealthy; they didn’t realize within thirty years Assyria would descend upon them. Amos is known as a social critic who lashed out at various behaviors (1:6, 8:5-7, 1:9, 4:1-3, 6:1, 3:12-15, 6:4-6, 2:6-7, 5:7-15). Chapters 1 and 2 deliver oracles against seven nearby nations, chapters 3-6 contain denunciations against social and religious sins of the kingdom, and chapters 7-9  reveal visions granted to Amos by God. Amos surprises the reader repeatedly. See 2:13-15, 3:12, 4:4, 5:18-20, 5:21-22. These are  reversals of what might have been expected by the Jews. A lot of sarcasm here.