Although Israel was going through a prosperous time (during Amos’s time-period), this prosperity was limited to the wealthy, and that it fed on injustice and oppression of the poor. Furthermore, religious observance was insincere as represented by Amos’s communicated revelations against Israel’s inadequate worship, misguided priorities, oppressive acts against the weak, and a lack of holiness. New pagan innovations were introduced by King Ahab, when he built a temple in honour of the Canaanite god Bal in the capital city of Samaria (1 Kings 16:29-34). During these years the prophets of God were murdered and the prophets of Baal and Asherah were accepted by the common people and in the king’s palace. Consequently, years later, this legacy of
