Bible study course
An advanced, collegiate, eight-lesson academic study of the Book of Amos, examining the prophet rustic Tekoan roots and the roar of Yahweh from Zion, the numerical formula of judgment against the seven surrounding nations, the devastating indictment of systemic injustice and debt slavery in northern Israel, the solemn theology of covenant election and heightened accountability, the scathing prophetic satire against the cows of Bashan and hypocritical worship, the funeral lament over fallen virgin Israel and the immortal summons for justice to roll down like waters, the woe against complacency at ease in Zion, the five symbolic visions of locusts, fire, plumb line, summer fruit, and shattered altar capitals, the prophetic clash with Amaziah at Bethel, the spiritual terror of a famine of the Word, and the apostolic fulfillment of the restored booth of David in Christ.
An academic exegesis of Amos 1:1 to 2:5, examining the prophet eighth-century historical horizon, his rustic identity as a Tekoan shepherd and sycamore dresser, the theological metaphor of Yahweh roaring like a lion from Zion, the numerical literary formula "for three transgressions and for four", and the devastating moral indictments against Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, and Judah.
A collegiate study of Amos 2:6 to 16, exploring the climactic eighth oracle against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deconstructing the fourfold systemic exploitation of the vulnerable (selling the righteous for silver, debt slavery for sandals, panting after the dust on the heads of the poor, and ritual desecration), the ungrateful rejection of redemptive history, and the inescapable crushing judgment.
An advanced theological exegesis of Amos 3:1 to 15, examining the solemn paradox of divine election ("You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you"), the seven rhetorical cause-and-effect questions establishing the necessity of prophetic proclamation, the summoning of Philistine and Egyptian witnesses to observe the chaos inside Samaria, and the catastrophic demolition of the winter mansions, ivory houses, and the horned altars of Bethel.
A collegiate study of Amos 4:1 to 13, deconstructing the scathing prophetic epithet "cows of Bashan" targeting the luxurious aristocratic women of Samaria, exposing the sarcasm of ritualistic enthusiasm at Bethel and Gilgal, analyzing the fivefold escalation of covenant chastisements punctuated by the tragic refrain "yet you did not return to me", and examining the terrifying doxology summoning Israel to prepare to meet her God.
An advanced collegiate exegesis of Amos 5:1 to 27, analyzing the funeral lament (qinah) over virgin Israel, the urgent pastoral summons to seek Yahweh and live rather than frequenting the shrines of Bethel and Gilgal, the cosmic hymn to the Creator of the Pleiades and Orion, the systemic corruption of the judicial gate, the true nature of the Day of Yahweh as darkness and not light, the total divine revulsion toward hypocritical festivals, and the immortal mandate: "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
A collegiate analysis of Amos 6:1 to 14, examining the prophetic woe oracle against the complacent aristocrats of Zion and Samaria, deconstructing their lavish lifestyle of ivory beds, gourmet feasts, self indulgent music, and drinking wine from sacrificial bowls, analyzing their tragic refusal to grieve over the ruin of Joseph, and evaluating the divine judgment that reverses their pride through invasion from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of the Arabah.
A collegiate study of Amos 7:1 to 17, tracing the dramatic progression of Amos prophetic visions (the devouring locusts, the consuming cosmic fire, and the plumb line of judgment), the power of prophetic intercession ("O Lord God, please forgive! How can Jacob stand? He is so small!"), the divine decision to never pass by again, and the climactic political confrontation between Amos and Amaziah, the royal priest of Bethel.
A collegiate capstone exegesis of Amos 8:1 to 9:15, analyzing the fourth vision of the basket of ripe summer fruit (keluv qayits) and the wordplay on the end (qets), the exposure of market dishonesty and predatory debt slavery, the terrifying judgment of a famine of hearing the words of Yahweh, the fifth vision of the Lord shattering the altar capitals, the sifting of the nations, and the climactic eschatological promise of raising the fallen booth of David cited by James at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:16 to 17).