March 28, 2013
This is the second of two woe oracles in Amos. The first (5:18-20) was followed by a legal indictment (5:21-27). The second (6:1-7) is followed by a judgment pronouncement (6:8-14). Together, as the third major section of Amos, they lament Israel’s sin and warn the nation about impending doom. The woe oracle in Amos 6 itself falls […]
No Comments » | Biblical Texts | Tagged: Amos 6:1-14, Bible-Amos, Israel, Judah, justice, Luxury, Poor, Prophets, Rich, Righteousness, Wealth | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
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
July 3, 2012
The opening line is simple, direct and profound: “I have loved you, says Yahweh.” That should be good news, but there are times when it may be heard with a bit of skepticism or even bitterness. It is a difficult word to hear when someone has just told you in the previous breath that your […]
5 Comments | Biblical Texts, Pastoral Care | Tagged: Edom, Election, Esau, Israel, Jacob, Love, Malachi 1:2-5, Suffering | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
April 24, 2012
The Parable of the Tenants is the second in a series of seven confrontations between Jesus and Jewish leaders. Jesus had entered Jerusalem as a triumphant messianic figure, cleansed the temple, and was now walking the temple courts as a rabbi (teacher) with a large following. The temple leaders could not allow this presumption to […]
1 Comment | Biblical Texts | Tagged: Bible-Gospel of Mark, Church, Israel, Mark 12:1-12, Paralbe of the Tenants, Psalm 118, Successionism, Temple, Vineyard | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks