AMOS 1:3 TO AMOS 2:5. THE SINS OF ISRAEL'S NEIGHBOURS. According to the present arrangement the prophet begins by arraigning Israel's neighbours. This arrangement may not be original. Yet it is quite likely that he deliberately chose to make a denunciation of the sins of Israel's neighbours lead up... [ Continue Reading ]
MOAB. With Moab the prophet concludes his list of Israel's foes. When Israel arrived on the E. of the Jordan, the Moabites inhabited the high tableland E. of the Dead Sea, whither they had been driven recently from the N. of the Arnon by the Amorites (_cf._ Judges 11:25). They were subdued by David,... [ Continue Reading ]
AMOS 2:4 F. JUDAH. The genuineness has been questioned by a number of scholars. It is urged that the thought and language are characteristic of the late prophetic school. If the passage is genuine, Judah is reproached (Amos 2:4) with having rejected the direction or instruction of Yahweh (Isaiah 1:1... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SIN AND DOOM OF ISRAEL. Suddenly the prophet turns and confronts Israel. The benighted heathen nations have sinned and must be punished. What of Israel, God's chosen people? Why, just because they have been chosen and more privileged, failure to act up to their responsibilities and privileges de... [ Continue Reading ]