Before Amos became a prophet, he was a farmer. The Book of Amos in the Old Testament provides evidence that Amos was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamore trees before he was called by God to become a prophet. Amos was not trained as a prophet, nor was he from a family of prophets or priests. He was an ordinary person who was chosen by God to deliver his message to the people of Israel. Despite his lack of formal training, Amos became a powerful voice of God's justice and judgment. His prophetic message condemned the wealthy and powerful for their oppression of the poor and called for a return to God's ways of justice and righteousness.