The book of Amos is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament. Amos was a shepherd and a farmer from the town of Tekoa, and he prophesied during the reigns of King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam II of Israel, around 750 BC. The book contains a series of visions given to the prophet Amos, in which he sees the impending judgment that God will bring upon Israel.
When we read Amos Chapters 7-9 in light of the books of Hosea and Joel, it becomes clear that the judgment that Amos saw was the result of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Hosea, another minor prophet, had also warned Israel of the consequences of their unfaithfulness, and Joel had prophesied about the Day of the Lord, a time of judgment and punishment for the wicked.
Amos begins his visions by seeing a swarm of locusts that God sends to destroy Israel's crops, in Amos 7:1-3. Amos intercedes on behalf of Israel, and God relents from sending the locusts. However, God then shows Amos a vision of a fire, which represents the judgment that Israel will face, in Amos 7:4-6. Again, Amos intercedes, and God relents from sending the fire.
In Amos 7:7-9, Amos sees a vision of a plumb line, which symbolizes God's standard of righteousness and justice. The plumb line represents the measuring rod by which God will judge Israel, and it is clear that they have fallen short of His standards. Similarly, in Hosea 8:7, Israel is compared to a broken plow, which symbolizes their inability to produce good fruit or to follow God's ways.
In Amos 8:11-12, Amos prophesies about a famine, not of bread or water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. This is a consequence of Israel's disobedience and rejection of God's laws. Similarly, in Hosea 4:6, God laments that His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because they have rejected His teachings.
Finally, in Amos 9:11-15, Amos sees a vision of the restoration of Israel. This is a promise of hope and redemption, even in the midst of judgment. Similarly, Joel speaks of a future restoration and renewal of Israel, after the Day of the Lord has passed.
In conclusion, when we read Amos Chapters 7-9 in light of Hosea and Joel, we see a consistent message of judgment for unfaithfulness to God, but also a message of hope for restoration and redemption. The prophets warn Israel of the consequences of their disobedience and rejection of God, but they also offer the promise of restoration and renewal for those who turn back to Him. This message is relevant for us today, as we too face the consequences of our actions and choices, but can also find hope in the promise of redemption through faith in God.