In this post, the bible project breaks down the book into digestible pieces so we. The book of amos was likely written between 760 and 753 b. The whole purpose of our legal system is to see that justice is done. Several distinguishing features about the life of amos and his ministry mark this book out from the other books in the bible.
Trailer studying the book of the prophet amos is an excellent way to begin a study of the prophetic tradition of israel. Hear this word, israel, this lament i take up concerning you. Also includes a pic of the list of the social injustices of israel. That being the case, god is perfectly right to bring the overwhelming disaster of which amos speaks. Watch our overview video on the book of amos, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Named for the biblical prophet amos who taught social justice, the amos project took as its mission as being dedicated to renewing and extending the jewish communitys devotion to social justice. Book of amos, the third of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor prophets, collected in one book under the jewish canon titled the twelve. I hope these bible journaling ideas help you along your journey. The entire book of amos shines a powerful light on israelite society, revealing its dishonesty, corruption, and violence. A comprehensive database of book of amos quizzes online, test your knowledge with book of amos quiz questions.
The concept of justice in the book of amos heartwell. We invite you to read our most recent newsletter, fall 2019. Justice in the book of amos as a focus of study the word justice. Military conscription and forced labor for the kings projects are two examples. Justice is the major ideal of the legal profession.
Amos also shows us that god demands justice for the poor. Amos is one of the prophets who documented what is ahead for the nations of the world. We remember that just before the revolt of the ten tribes, in the days of solomon, the kingdom of israel was at its zenith. Piece between israel and judah assyria conquered aram, a long enemy of israel. We organize congregations around community issues that impact the poor and working families. Teachings on social justice in amos and isiah the book of amos is short, exciting, snappy and full of themes which make out for a popular war movie. By ted grimsrud lets now look at a place where the bible uses the explicit language of justice. Amos has much to say about oppression and the plight of the poor in israel, so it is only natural that his book has become a focal point for.
It repeatedly points out the failure of the people to fully embrace gods idea of justice. Brian mclaren, elisa padilla, ashley bunting seeber. More than almost any other book of scripture, the book of amos holds gods people accountable for their illtreatment of others. Dec 4, 2018 sharing inspiring bible journaling ideas through the book of amos. The book of amos, which is the earliest of the prophetic writings to be preserved in book form, consists of nine chapters. The quick view bible big ideas in amos also one of these for every book of the bible big ideas in amos this book is just as applicable today as it was when it was written. The book of amos is an intriguing scripture from a unique individual, amos, a shepherd and fig tree farmer dwelling in southern judah who is called by god to go to bethel and announce warnings of judgment to the northern kingdom of israel. Marcus borg speaks on the topic of social justice in the bible, specifically book of amos, he looks at the societal context and world orders contemporary to jesus and his disciples to help understand their views of.
The mission of amos was, therefore, rather to threaten than to console. Social justice in the book of amos the marcus j borg. A real relationship with god should show in social justice and righteousness. Broken down to 5 sections, youll read essays that deal with. He rebukes, among other things, the corruption of their manners, which kept pace with their prosperity.
King david had subdued all israels enemies, and had extended the borders of the land from the river of egypt to the river euphrates gen. Amos lived in the kingdom of judah but preached in the northern kingdom of. I hate, i despise your festivalsbut let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream amos 5. We are fighting to get all of our kids in quality preschool. As much as can be discerned, amos was the first prophet to write. What were the issues of social injustice addressed by amos. The book of the prophet amos the prophet amos lived in the eighth century bc and was a common herdsman and keeper of sycamore fig trees 7. Other prophets, working in the sister kingdom of judah, are indignant about similar things. The fullest discussion of justice in the old testament shows up in the book of amos. The amos project is a multicongregation, social justice community organization. In modern times amos has come to be considered one of the most important prophets, mainly for his uncompromising message about social justice. Warnings for our time, the messianic prophecy bible project. In this book, amos accuses israel of breaking their covenant with god and highlights how their idolatry has led to injustice and the neglect of the poor.
Pdf but let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an. Amos warns of gods coming justice on their sin, and challenges them that true worship of god will always lead to justice for the poor. The word justice brings to mind a number of concepts. The theology of the book of amos john barton download. Observed over 300 juvenile delinquency court cases in polk county as part of the amos court watch initiative to help ordinary citizens keep an eye on justice. See more ideas about amos bible, bible and bible art. Unlike the other books, joel tells us a story about a terrible plague of locusts that seems to. Marcus borg examines social justice in the bible focusing on the book of amos and the political and economic domination systems contemporary to the writing of the bible. The book of amos is the earliest of the book of the twelve prophets, and is relevant today, as it addresses social injustice, so prevalent in our world. Both a shepherd and sycamore tree grower in the tekoa area about 10 miles from jerusalem.
Social justice in the book of amos march 24, 2014 by the marcus j borg foundation 0 categoryies. This book provides a detailed exploration of this theme and other important elements of the theology underlying the book of amos. Amoss writings showed that he had a heart for the oppressed and voiceless. Our online book of amos trivia quizzes can be adapted to suit your requirements for taking some of the top book of amos quizzes. It sits uniquely amongst the other books of the bible and in particular amongst the prophets.
Amos mission is directed to his neighbor to the north, israel. The book of amos reveals that many social injustices were practiced in israel during the reign of jeroboam, the time when this herdsman prophet. Social justice in amos the good book blog biola university. Launched a racial profiling project with the aclu and the des moines chapter of the naacp to document cases of racial profiling as they occur in central iowa. It is a short book full of passion and anger whose subject matter is a protest in the name of god against social injustice, complacency and hypocrisy. One of the efforts of the great organized systems of churchianity has always been to make it appear that the bible and the teachings of christianity support their politicoreligious ideologies, thus debasing the true teachings of christ to the level of a mere moral philosophy and, through the various manmade organizations. The book ends with a promise of the messianic kingdom on the other side of gods judgment. Further, amos was designed to be a catalyst and consultant to the. Editors and copyists added comments to the prophets original oracles that they deemed appropriate in light of events that occurred after his death. What the prophet amos had to say about economic justice. Not all of the material found in these chapters came from amos himself. The book of amos is the third of the twelve minor prophets in the tanakhold testament and. Amos shows god demanding justice from them rather than worship. Book of amos overview insight for living ministries.
O you who turn justice to wormwood, and cast down righteousness to the earth amos 5. Justice in the book of amos as a focus of study the word justice brings to mind a number of concepts. Amos prophesied under the reign of jeroboam ben jehoash, king of israel b. We are fighting to transform the unjust hamilton county justice system. Amos declared that god was going to judge his unfaithful, disobedient, covenantbreaking people. The book of amos reminds us that gods blessings dont always coincide with our obedience and are often in spite of our disobedience.
With contributers like brian mclaren, tony jones, joseph myers, and doug pagitt you know youll find something that connects with you. His major themes of justice, gods omnipotence, and divine judgment became staples of prophecy. Amos, a judaean prophet from the village of tekoa, was active in the northern kingdom. The justice project is the latest offering from the emergent group.
Other major ideas proposed in the book of amos include. In todays terms, the israelite stock market was in great shape, major building projects were underway and the gdp was at an alltime high. For amos, most foundationally, justice links inextricably with life. The book of joel accounts for justice over evil in a form thats unique to the other old testament prophets. During their time of godgiven security, israel had abused her most insecure citizens am 4. Amos does not see justice as an abstract principle but rather as a life force. Find out what true worship looks like in the book of amos. Amos, an older contemporary of hosea and isaiah, was active c.
The words justice and righteousness are used together three times in two chapters of the book of amos amos 5. However, amos treatment of justice echoes what we also find elsewhere in. Joel reflects on the day of the lord and how true repentance will bring about the great restoration hoped for in the other prophetic books. It is a book of essays that all deal with biblical justice and our world today. Amos, justice and judgment sermon by michael goodfellow, amos. The israelites had a unique and privileged relationship with god. Amos the national jewish partnership for social justice. Since justice and righteousness are the focus of amos message, it is important to look at how the words justice and righteousness are used by the prophet. The book of amos is the third of the twelve minor prophets in the tanakhold testament and the second in the greek septuagint tradition. Amos accuses israel of breaking their covenant with god, and highlights how their idolatry has led to injustice and the neglect of the poor.
Amos begins with the justice of god, then, and shows how that relates to justice in society. Some mistakenly assume that the prophecies recorded by amos and the other prophets were completely fulfilled by past events, such as the demise of israel in 722 b. Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line. In the hebrew bible and christian old testament, amos hebrew. The concept of justice in the book of amos heartwell productions.
God compares the past to the future in the book of joel. Fallen is virgin israel, never to rise again, deserted in her own land, with no one to lift her up. The mission of the education justice project is to build a model collegeinprison program that demonstrates the positive impacts of higher education upon incarcerated people, their families, the communities from which they come, the host institution, and society as a whole. The book of amos is an intriguing scripture from a unique individual, amos, a shepherd and fig tree farmer dwelling in southern judah who is called by god to go to bethel and announce warnings of judgment. Amos, advocate for social justice bible characters. They develop the leadership skills of people to be active in public life. Amos is a shepherd and a fruit picker from the judean village of tekoa when god calls him, even though he lacks an education or a priestly background. The main themes of amos and lessons that we learn from this book are. Amos 5 niv bible hear this word, israel, this lament i.
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