AMOS - OCCUPATION
SHIB
- shepherd from Tekoa
- He prophesied in the North, but was from the South.
- He explicitly rejected the title of professional prophet supported by a cultic or royal shrine
AMOS - DATE
SHIB
- to the time of King Jeroboam II (785-745)
AMOS - PROPHESY
SHIB
- prophesied destruction of the n. kingdom
- Amos was preaching that divine punishment was about to befall the kingdom of Israel in Bethel.
AMOS - ACCURACY OF PROPHECY
SHIB
- Never metions Assyria in his oracles, but a few verses refer to exile
AMOS - PROPHESY IN PART 1
SHIB
A. oracles against other nations (1:3-2:16)
- 7 nations surrounding Israel are rebuked, then Judah and lastly Israel.
a. the grounds for denunciations are generally humanistic i.e. The ammonites ripped open pregnant women in Gilead. Also condemns Moab.
b. Operates with a concept of universal justice.
AMOS - PROPHESY IN PART2
SHIB
A. Collection of short oracles
a. Election from Egypt means greater responsibility.
b. Those who were in Zion or Samaria, enjoyed their leisure at the expense of the poor.
What were the original concerns of Amos?
The original concerns of Amos, most clearly, are in 5:18-27 which pronounces woe on the those ‘who desire the day of the lord’ (5:18). In this context, day of the lord refers to a cultic celebration.
- rejecting the sacrificial cult (feasting, drinking wine etc.)
- thinks people could serve God without sacrifices and offerings.
- to serve God is to practice justice, feasting did not contribute to this goal.
AMOS - PROPHESY IN PART 3
SHIB
A. Series of visions, with the account of the confrontation with Amaziah
a. sees a basket of summer fruit symbolizing the end of Israel
b. 9:7-8 “Are you not like the Ethiopians to me, O people of Israel?” YHWH is the God of all peoples and responsible for everything that happens, good and bad. In the eyes of God, Israel is no different that the Ethiopians.
Oracles all begin with….
For three transgressions of……, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment.
