Rhetoric of the Book of Amos (Amos for the Seventh-Century Judean Audience)

This study is an investigation of the book of Amos primarily using rhetorical criticism, built upon the results of a redactional study. The book of Amos was compiled and proclaimed in the time of Josiah's reign in order to persuade the people of Judah to correct their evil acts and thereby avoid disastrous consequences. The ominous situation that the seventh-century Judean audience members confronted was very similar to that of the northern kingdom of Israel, which had fallen about one century prior. The final redactor of Amos (or "the orator") warns that if the seven-century Judean audience members refuse to learn from the failure of the northern Israelites, and reject his message to return to Yahweh, they will experience the fate of the northern kingdom of Israel. In order to avoid Yahweh's judgment and obtain life, therefore, the people of Judah must change their lives and follow the orator's instructions.