Please read these study guide questions on Amos and Isaiah and then all nine chapters of Amos. Choose any of the first 13 study guide questions and suggest an answer to that question here.I would be particularly interested in your comments on Amos' use of imagery. Do you find any of Amos' images particularly effective? Particularly disturbing?
8. The people wanted the Nazarites to drink wine and the prophets to be silenced, because they knew they were in the wrong. The only reason to try and silence a prophet is if you know that your not going to like what he/she says. And, by getting the nazarites drunk you make them imperfect as well. In this way it's easier for sin and corruption to spread. They want to live the way they want to live without God.
ReplyDelete7. What are the specific sins Amos warns against?
ReplyDeleteAmos warns against materialism and the luxurious and abundant homes people had (chapter 3). In chapter 4, Amos warns that Israel will be destroyed. He tells how even when God sent famine, drought, widespread thirst, disease, mildew, locusts, etc; no one went back to him. Chapter 5 keeps talking about how Israel will be destroyed and few people left. Lots of doom for the people of Israel. The sacrifices are condemned along with the celebrations and festivals. Amos warns that God will take them away, just as they easily threw him away to be replaced by Sakkuth and Kaiwan. An overall theme throughout Amos warns against lavish living and materials things.
Ah! Now here are some bible verses this old Calvinist can get behind! The message of Amos is a no nonsense message saying that just because you were chosen of God doesn't mean you can do what you will and get away with it.
ReplyDeleteThough the Jews were God's chosen people, it is made clear in Amos that the Jews had strayed from the path and just because they were chosen of God does not mean they can escape God's judgment when they fail to follow God's word. Just because you are chosen doesn't mean your perfect. Just because you are Christian doesn't mean you are better then other sinners.
What being a Christian means is that you recognize that you are wholly evil and incapable of good but also to fight against your evil nature by pleading for the wisdom to follow God's laws. A Christian who slacks in this is no true Christian and will be judged just as hard as the unchosen, if not harsher.
Christians are just as evil as the rest of the world but unlike the rest of the world Christians are (or should be) aware of this and actively seek true wisdom and given the will to fight their inherit evil nature.
This is part of Amos' message as I see it as to the question of "Is there anything at all pleasant or joyful in Amos’ message?" I say there is hope because the message only states the doom that awaits all who disobey God (even his chosen) but is it pleasant? Not really. Is it Joyful? Hardly but its just as it needs to be. A slap to the face for those whose pride clouds judgment.
7. What are the specific sins Amos warns against? Does it really matter they committed the most important sin they rejected the lord. They built idles which goes against a commandment of God. Some worshiped other gods another commandment. Two of the most important laws of God and you don't follow them. They are important because they are the first two commandments given to Moses. These are the specific sins they are very important and these alone deserve punishment. Especially from a God who makes these two things his laws to follow.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have to get very far into Amos to see his visions. Chapter 1 deals with the transgression after transgression. Amos speaks of horrible destruction because of horrible actions. Things may be fairly prosperous, but there is idol worship taking place & God's law is not being followed. The walls of Teman, Rabbah, Gaza and I hope I didn't miss any, will be set on fire. Other destructive fires will consume houses, families and palaces. Such horrible visions. I would find this imagery both disturbing and effective.
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ReplyDeletewhat is a prophet? Someone who can look at a situation and can tell you exactly how it will play out, and they need to hear the voice of God. They cant be called oracles because oracles tell the future and tell several futures. They don't have a defined message while a prophet does. Also a prophet doesn't get paid or have a real clue on where there next meal is while an oracle does.
How does one become a prophet? You have to have that prophetic voice from God himself. Then you have to preach that message weather or not you want to or not because you got called to do it. God asks you to give up everything and to follow him and to trust in him. Then you have to have a following, doesn't matter the size, but a following. You will have opposition, but you will also have people listen to you too.
How is a prophet and a priest different? The messages that they give. A prophet speaks of a new message and a lot of the time a new covenant. A priest will speak of past messages that past prophets had spoke of happening. They both get called to it, but what they preach about is slightly different.
Why would prophecy be more difficult than priesthood? Prophecy they are presenting new material to they people. They aren't going to want to listen to that. while a priest in there priesthood has messages that everyone knows and has excepted weather they like it or not. It is much easier to accept something that you know of and been told about your whole life than something new that someone is presenting in front of you. that is hard to accept and I most likely wont believe it.
---- Abigail Miiller