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Activity 1|Activity 2|Activity 4|Activity 5
Process
Activity 3: Know Your
Prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures - AMOS
Group 6: Your Prophets are Hosea, Joel,
Amos
Complete the tasks for Amos.
3
Amos
Use the following information and the
listed resources to complete your tasks.
Amos - His Profile
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His Name Means |
Burden
bearer |
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Appears |
Amos |
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Occupation |
Amos
was a herdsman (sheep-farmer) and gathered fruit of the sycamore tree [a kind of fig]. He
lived in Tekoa, near Bethlehem, a village in the Southern Kingdom, twelve miles south of
Jerusalem. |
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The
book |
The
Book of Amos may be divided into three main parts. |
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Special
Interest |
Amos
was the first prophet whose words were written down. He was sent to preach at the shrine
in Bethel, where the rich families worshipped. Men of God like Amos, Isaiah and Jeremiah
served as the moral conscience of the community, and the fearless critics of its rulers.
Of all the classical prophets, Amos'
message is the least hopeful.
'He asked me, "Amos, what
do you see?" "A plumb line," I answered. Then he said, "I am using it
to show that my people are like a wall that is out of line..."'(Amos7:8) |
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Biographical |
Amos
the sheep farmer is usually pictured as a blunt rustic, compared to intellectual urbanites
like Isaiah and Jeremiah. It is true that he is familiar with the sights and sounds of
country life. Yet at the same time he reveals a wide knowledge of contemporary events, a
grasp of political and social issues, and literary skill of a high order. |
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Time |
Amos'
work can be dated quite precisely, to the reign of Jeroboam II, probably towards the end
of that period, maybe around 750 BC. |
 'Woe to those who lie upon beds of
ivory..'(Amos6:4)
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Key
Themes/
Messages |
In
the evolving theology of the Old Testament, Amos makes a great leap forward. He is the
first to propound the concept of a God who is universal and is not just the tribal deity
of the Hebrews. What God demands of man is moral purity and social justice, rather than
the rituals and sacrifices of organised religion (Amos 5:21,22) Social justice is important (Amos 2:7; 4:1;
5:7,11,24; 8:4-6)
Amos denounces the hypocrisy of the
wealthy who obeyed the law but took advantage of the poor. (Amos 4:4-5) (
God as judge of all nations
Visions revealing God's purpose |
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Key
contents |
Prophecies
against other nations (Amos 1:1-2:5) Prophecies against Israel (Amos 2:6-6:14)
Five visions (Amos 7:1-9:10)
Future restoration (Amos 9:11-15) |
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Key
Passages |
Let
justice roll on like a river, righteousness like an never-failing stream. (Amos 5:24) |
Sources:
Bowker, J. 1998, The Complete Bible Handbook - An Illustrated Companion,Dorling
Kindersley, UK
Brown, R.E., Fitzmyer, J.A.,and Murphy, R.E., 1992. The New Jerome Bible
Handbook, Geoffrey Chapman, England
Comay, J., and, Brownrigg, R., 1980. Who's Who in the Old Testament,
Bonanza Books, NY
Drane, J.(ed), 1998, The Lion Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Bible,
Lion Publishing, England
Motyer, S. 1998. Who's Who in the Bible - An Illustrated Guide,
Dorling Kindersley, UK
Resources
Catholic Encyclopedia - Amos
(difficult to read)
Bible Study - Amos
Mustard Seed.Net - Amos
Bible Basics - Amos (scroll down the left hand side to
Amos)
When you have completed
Activity 3, go to Process
Introduction|Task|Process|Resources|Evaluation|Conclusion|Teachers
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