Page 84 - Divinity_F5

Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools

injustice in the courts of law. Sex abuse Activity 5.1
was common. An instance of this was
when a father and a son would share Use the Bible and other sources to
one slave woman (Amos 2:7). Yet, research the origin of Prophet Amos and
according to the mosaic teaching, his vocation.
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
children were expected to respect their
parents. In addition, the wives of the rich Exercise 5.1
were demanding too much from their 1. What do you learn from Amos’
husbands, and their husbands ended up teachings on relations between
oppressing and cheating/abusing the different nations?
poor to please them.
2. How is Amos’ condemnation of the
On many occasions, the rich acquired Israelites (Socially, Economically,
offerings for God were grabbing from Religious and Politically) relevant
the poor. Idleness and unnecessary to the lives of Tanzanians?
luxuries were common among the
Israelites - especially the rich. They Amos’ message of doom or judgement
were supposed to live equal lives, but Amos never had any pleasant words for
the poor were living in absolute poverty. the Israelites because of their wickedness
The houses of the rich were full of stolen and the pagan people. He prophesied
property from the poor, but according to a message of doom or condemnation.

the Mosaic Law, stealing was forbidden. Amos passed judgment on Israel, Judah
Anybody who spoke the truth in Israel and their neighbours, namely Tyre,
was hated. Almost all people were liars. Edom, Amnon and Assyria, because of
Politically, there was over-taxation their sins. This indicated that he was a
of the poor. This practice was totally prophet of judgement (Amos 1:13).
against the Mosaic Law. The Israelites He condemned the fat women of the
were expected to be taxed according rich in Samaria that they would be
to their level of income. Furthermore, dragged on hooks on the day of the
forced labour was common. Political Lord or judgment day (Amos 4:2-3).
leaders used to force people to work for Furthermore, Amos shows a different
them without payment. Such leaders nature of the day of the Lord, which
used their positions to grab people’s was contrary to the expectations of the
property. The leaders believed that they Israelites. It would be a day of terror,
were above the law. Therefore, they darkness and judgment. Indeed, this
had the right to possess whatever they was a message of doom. Amos presents
wanted. Political leaders made alliances God’s message of doom in the vision of
with the pagan states. The Israelites the plumb line, namely, the destruction
were expected to rely on God according of the cracked walls (Amos 7:7).
to the Mosaic Law.

Form Five Student’s Book 75