Worksheet on Amos 5:21-24

This passage contains one expression of Amos' criticism of the cultic shrines in the northern kingdom of Israel. There are several shrines mentioned specifically by Amos: Bethel, Gilgal, Samaria, and Dan. In the prophecies of Amos, Bethel is the most prominent of all of these sites.

The most detailed condemnation of cultic worship in Amos is found in 4:4-5 and in 5:21-24. It is uncertain if these oracles were originally proclaimed at Bethel, Gilgal, or Samaria, but it seems that in any case, they can taken as representative for the misuse of worship of Yahweh.

We will be focusing our discussion on 5:21-24, but you should also look at 4:4-5 and the surrounding context in addition to looking at the context of 5:21-24.

 

Historical background:

  • Who was Amos? Where was he from? To whom did he present his prophecies?
  • What else do we know about the prophet Amos? Was he a professional prophet? Is his a hozeh ("visionary") or a ro'eh ("seer") or some other type of prophet?
  • In what general time period did Amos prophecy? What were the kingdoms of Judah and Israel like at this time? What was the relationship between Judah and Israel and what was the relationship between Jerusalem and Samaria?

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    Limits and setting of the Passage:

  • Do you agree with the limits of the passage (vv. 21-24)? Why or why not?
  • What happens in 5:14-15; 5:18-20? How are these verses related to 5:21-24?
  • How does this passage function in the overall book of Amos? Remember that originally the prophecies of Amos were presented as separate oracles and only later were they written down in the order that we find them. How is the ordering of these oracles important for understanding the message in the book today?

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    Questions about the value of worship:

  • Does the passage indicate that worship of Yahweh was not important? Why or why not?
  • Is it possible to "over-read" this text and condemn all forms of worship?
  • Amos condemns every type of worship in this passage (Festivals [v. 21], Sacrifices [v. 22], and Songs of Praise [v. 23]). Briefly describe these types of worship. If Amos it is true that Amos condemns all types of worship, is there any type of worship that Yahweh finds acceptable? In answering this question, make sure and look at the surrounding context in chapter 5. What does Yahweh require of the faithful? Are these requirements a part of true worship or instead of formal worship.

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    Applications for today:

  • Does this passage indicate that Christians should not worry about going to church or putting time into developing types of good worship?
  • Does this criticism of the northern cult apply for southern Judah. If not, then does this mean that God is harder on some people than on others. If so, then why did Judah get more chances, and does this mean that God gives some people more chances than others today.
  • What does it mean to "hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate;" (5:15)? Is this the way to "let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (5:24)? If so, how should people heed Amos' words and do this today.
  • If people do not practice social justice such as Amos encourages, are they necessary evil and necessarily condemned?

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