I’ve finished this paper for my correspondence course.  That’s a big monkey off my back!  It was a great study and an instructive project, but “better is the end of a thing than its beginning” (Eccl. 7.8).  Two (shorter) papers and a final exam left – and one week remaining!  I’m rejoicing in God’s provision to get me this far!

I don’t know about posting the whole paper (my posts frequently tend toward lengthiness without including 10pp Turabian papers!), but here are some quotes from several key paragraphs.  They combine the two ways in which I described the book: by structure and by theme.

I describe the structure as follows:

Amos’ book is a collection of sermons preached against the transgressions of Israel.  These discourses are arranged in a way that they present a progression in God’s dealings with his sinful people.  The main divisions are Introduction and Presentation of Charges (1.1-2.16), Call to Repentance (3.1-5.17), Pronunciation of Woes (5.18-6.14) and Certainty of Future Events (7.1-9.15).  Except for the first section, each emphasizes the gravity, imminence and urgency of the situation with an oath uttered by the Lord (4.2; 6.8; 8.7).  Repeated introductory formulae give the reader distinctions for discerning the divisions.

And I note the following themes:

God

This theme is developed in the structural division of the book as follows.  God knows the transgressions of all nations, but especially those of his people (1.3-2.6).  God has given them ample time to repent (4.6-11).  Since his people are unrepentant in their sin, he will refuse their vain worship (5.21-24).  God will certainly judge them for their sin (9.8-10).

Sin

This theme progresses through the form of the book as well.  Sin is a common problem to all people (1.3-2.6).  Therefore all sinners must repent (4.6-11).  Sin will bring terrible consequences (5.18; 6.1, 4).  Not even sin, however, can thwart God’s broad plans for his people (9.11-15).

Judgment

_****_Tracing the theme of judgment throughout the main divisions of Amos reveals more about this key idea.  Judgment will come to all sinners, but especially to God’s people (1.3-2.6; 3.2).  Judgment can be averted by truly seeking the Lord (5.4-6, 14-15).  It will destroy cities and decimate their citizens (6.8-9).  Once God declares it, judgment is inescapable and complete (9.1).

Restoration

_****_Though it is less apparent, this theme can also be followed through the structure of the book.  Restoration is based on the historic deliverance and covenant promises that make judgment seem so incongruous for God’s people (2.9-10).  It would most certainly be hastened by a genuine return to God (5.14-15).  God shows mercy even in the face of impending doom (7.3, 6).  Restoration will certainly reverse the sin-caused curses that the remnant has endured (9.11-15).

And I conclude:

The literary structure of Amos describes the progression of God’s dealing with Israel’s sin.  Their persistent rebellions bring God’s righteous judgment.  Judgment may be certain, but so is God’s eventual blessing on his remnant. The two strongest themes of Amos meet in the third.  When God encounters sin (and sinners who refuse to repent), judgment is his recourse.  God’s promises, however, are not nullified by human sin or divine judgment.  Amos’ prophecy ends with the hope of promised restoration and fulfillment of covenant promises.

That’s where it falls from the “descriptive” biblical theology side of things; perhaps I’ll take time later to put together some thoughts on the “redemptive history” biblical theology of Amos.