Prophetic Warnings on Social Injustice in Amos 8:1-14 and Its Relevance for Contemporary Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the prophetic warnings on social injustice in Amos 8:1–14 and analysed their relevance to the Nigerian context. It addressed the persistence of corruption, inequality, spiritual decline, and religious complacency in Nigeria, which reflected the conditions described in Amos’ prophecy against Israel. The purpose of this study was to interpret the nature of divine judgment in response to societal and spiritual failures, and to relate the message of Amos to Nigeria’s national situation. The study employed the historical-grammatical method, analysing the Hebrew text in its historical and linguistic context to interpret the visions and pronouncements. The main argument is that the sins condemned in Israel, economic exploitation, manipulation of justice, religious formalism, and neglect of God’s word, were present in Nigeria. The vision of the summer fruit signified a completed period of divine patience, while the famine for hearing God’s word pointed to the consequence of prolonged disobedience. The findings showed that these elements of Amos’ message carried implications for Nigeria’s governance, religious institutions, and public ethics. The study emphasises the significance of moral accountability in leadership, the need for reform in religious institutions, the necessity of national repentance, and the incorporation of biblical ethics into public policy. It also highlighted the societal risk of rejecting divine instruction, the economic need for fair practices, and the danger of spiritual decline in future generations. The study concluded that national transformation required a return to ethical conduct, prophetic engagement, and spiritual responsibility. It contributed to biblical theology by connecting ancient prophetic critique to current national challenges through scriptural interpretation.