John Mark Hicks

This text begins the fourth major section of Amos which contains five visions (Amos 7:1-9:10). While the structure of this part of Amos is variously understood, the five visions form the heart of its message: 1. Locust (7:1-3) 2. Fire (7:4-6) 3. Plumb Line (7:7-9). 4. Summer Fruit (8:1-3). 5. Pillars (9:1). Amos “sees” the […]

It is an amazing circumstance. Judah is unfaithful but God remains faithful. The whole story of Israel (“from the days of your fathers”) is a history of failed covenant-keeping.  Time and time again Israel failed to keep the Torah. In other words, the description of Judah’s systemic ethical problems in Malachi 3:5 is not exceptional […]