Amos

This is the twenty-fourth in a series of biblical summaries from David Dorsey's book: The Literary Structure of the Old Testament.  This is the third in the sub-series of minor prophets, covering Amos.

a   coming judgment upon Israel and its neighbors (1:1-2:16)
     b   the prophet's compulsion: announcement of coming destruction of
          Israel and Bethel's cult center (3:1-15)
          c   condemnation of wealthy Israelite women: empty religious activity
               and Yahweh's judgment (4:1-13)
               d   CENTER: call to repentance, and lament (5:1-17)
          c'  condemnation of wealthy Israelite men: empty religious activity
               and coming judgment (5:18-6:14)
     b'  the prophet's compulsion: visions of coming judgment; Amos announces
          coming destruction at the Bethel cult center (7:1-8:3)
a'  coming judgment upon Israel (scattering among the nations) and future
     restoration among the nations (8:4-9:15)

The 'a' pattern portrays the inescapability of coming judgment.  In both sections, there is a seven-fold condemnation of the wealthy, and both include phrases about selling "the righteous for silver, the needy for a pair of shoes."  Both convey themes of the exodus: "I brought you up out of Egypt" from the first section; "Did I not bring you up out of Egypt?" from the second.  There are also echoing references to the top of Carmel in both sections.  The first unit states three times that particular groups of warriors "will not escape" and the last unit states that the fugitive "will not escape" - all in reference to coming judgment.  All this conveys the urgency of this message to Amos' audience.

The 'b' pattern shows Amos' role in this drama.  The first section conveys that when Yahweh speaks, his prophets must prophecy.  In the second section, we read that Yahweh has spoken, therefore Amos prophecies.  Also, both sections speak about royal houses being demolished.  The first section says that royal houses and Bethel's altars will be demolished.  In the second section, a prophecy at Bethel says that Yahweh will destroy Israel's sanctuaries and rise against King Jeroboam's house.  All this suggests God will speak through his prophets and will accomplish what is spoken.

The 'c' pattern links condemnation of wealthy Israelite women in the first section to the condemnation of wealthy Israelite men in the second section.  The first section speaks of "the cows of Bashan who are in the mountain of Samaria," while the second section speaks of men "who feel secure in the mountain of Samaria."  The first section condemns wealthy women who idly drink, while the second section condemns wealthy men who drink wine.  The first section predicts that these women will go into exile toward Harmon, while the second section predicts these men who go into exile beyond Damascus.  Both sections depict empty religious activities, including sacrifices and offerings.  The first section says Israel loves these activities, and that Yahweh is coming, turning morning into darkness.  The second section says Yahweh hates and despises these activities and that the day of Yahweh will be darkness, not light.  All this suggests the total complicity of all members of Israelite population in the problem.

The 'd' section is a central, call to repentance.  Dorsey writes: "By placing the call to repentance in the central unit (and by duplicating it there for emphasis) Amos underscores its importance in his message.  Yahweh is preparing to destroy the land; but it is still not too late.  If Israel will only seek Yahweh, it will be spared." (286)