Amos 5

ADDRESS CONTAINING LAMENTATIONS, EXHORTATIONS, REPROOFS, AND THREATS OF RUIN, Amos 5:1-17.

It seems more in accord with the contents of chapter v to separate Amos 5:1-17 from Amos 5:18-27; Amos 5:18 introduces a new thought, and the form of address differs from that in the preceding verses, resembling more closely Amos 6:1 ff. Even within Amos 5:1-17, distinct breaks may be recognized. In some cases the logic would be improved by a rearrangement of the verses. As they stand now, the discourse opens with a dirge, in which the overthrow of Israel is represented as accomplished (Amos 5:1-3). This fate is well merited, since the people have disregarded utterly the demands of Jehovah. They have sought him by a ritual which he does not value; on the other hand, they have spurned the virtues which he prizes (Amos 5:4-10). Amos 5:8-9 contain another ascription of praise to Jehovah (compare Amos 4:13), to remind the hearers of the majesty of Jehovah, and thus to impress them with the importance of heeding his message. They are apparently incorrigible, therefore swift judgment will overtake them (Amos 5:11-13); nevertheless, sincere repentance may result in the salvation of at least a remnant (Amos 5:14-15). But the prophet seems to realize that such hope is vain; at any rate, he reiterates the sentence of doom (Amos 5:16-17).