Explain the relevance of the ministry of the prophet Amos, a prophet of social justice to our present day setting.
"Writing at a time of prosperity, when a sharp contrast existed between the luxurious life of the nation's leaders and the oppression of the poor was the prophet Amos" (John W. Ritenbaugh)
During the reign of Jeroboam II Israel had become a wealthy and prosperous nation. It was a golden age for Israel, a time of political stability and economic growth. This wealth however was not enjoyed by everyone, as the northern kingdom became more urbanised it saw an emergence of a wealthy middle class and a widening gulf between them and the poor. It was against this social backdrop that the prophet Amos preached.
As the people of Israel enjoyed this golden age' their religious worship became little more than an empty ritual. This prosperity and military success gave Israel a false sense of security. Israel was still involved in the worship of Baal and the Golden Calf'......
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Approximate Word Count: 1575
Approximate Pages: 7 (260 words per double-spaced page) |