March 4, 2013
This is the second of Amos’s three prophetic speeches against Israel. They each begin with “Hear this word” (3:1; 4:1; 5:1). The first announced God’s coming visit in judgment against Israel while the third will voice lament. The second highlights divine patience and persistence in seeking to turn Israel from its sins. While this second […]
4 Comments | Theology | Tagged: Amos, Amos 4:1-13, Bible-Amos, Disasters, Israel, Judgment, Natural Evil, Oppression, Poor, Prophets, Repentance, Wealth | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
February 28, 2013
The second major section of Amos (chapters 3-5) contains three oracles describing the punishment, sin and lament of the northern kingdom of Israel. Each begins with “Hear this word!” (3:1; 4:1; 5:1). In many ways, this is the heart of Amos’s work as it lays out Yahweh’s case against Israel. We might even imagine Amos […]
1 Comment | Theology | Tagged: Amos, Amos 3:9-15, Bible-Amos, Israel, Oppression, Poor, Prophets, Punishment, Wealth | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
February 6, 2013
As the last in the list of nations and the major focus of Amos’s ministry, Israel receives the most attention. In Amos 2:6-8 the prophet identified the reasons why Israel (the northern kingdom) will go into exile. They will suffer for their sins. They abused the innocent and poor, pursued sexual immorality, and approached God […]
1 Comment | Biblical Texts | Tagged: Amos, Amos 2:9-16, Conquest, Exodus, Judgment, Nazirite, Prophets, Wilderness | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
July 12, 2012
Some seventy years, more or less, after the rebuilding of the temple, Malachi directs his attention to the priests of the Second Temple. Twice, in Malachi 1:6-2:9, addresses them directly which the NRSV translates as a vocative, that is, “O Priests” (1:6; 2:1). This divides Malachi’s oracle for the priests into two obvious sections (1:6-14 […]
2 Comments | Biblical Texts | Tagged: Communion, Eucharist, Malachi 1:6-14, Prophets, Sacrifices, Table of the Lord | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
June 29, 2012
Haggai’s fourth oracle comes on the same day as his third, that is, the day on which the foundation of the temple is laid. As Judah gathered to celebrate the occasion (cf. Ezra 3:10-13), Haggai addressed first the priests and people (2:10-19) and now he specifically addresses Zerubabel who is the governor of Judah (2:20-23). […]
4 Comments | Biblical Texts | Tagged: David, Haggai 2:20-23, Kingdom, Nations, Peace, Prophets, Throne, War | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
January 6, 2012
Zechariah, a priest who returned with other Babylonian exiles to Jerusalem in 537 BCE, appears before the people in 520 BCE as a prophet. “The word of the Lord” comes to Zechariah—he is given a message from God to the people. Zechariah sees himself in line with the former prophets with a similar message, a […]
7 Comments | Biblical Texts | Tagged: Bible-Zechariah, Divine Presence, Prophets, Scripture, Temple, Word of the Lord, Zechariah 1:1-6 | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks