Interpretive Exercise: Amos 3: 1-8

Interpretive Exercise: Amos 3:1-8 Within the text Amos 3:1-8 (New Revised Standard Version), there is a divine message given by the prophet Amos to the people of Israel. This particular piece is bizarre, and on its surface fairly elusive, for it uses a dark tone and violent images and asks rhetorical and puzzling questions to its audience. Within this exercise, my aim is to address the imagery of this text, and attempt to decode the depiction that Amos gives to the Israelites. I will also deal with the structure of this passage, and the meaning or justification for Amos’ call to the people. Largely this text centres around Amos, and the words he gives to the people. It also incorporates the voice of God, through the words of Amos so God-self is also a player in this text. In using several sets of questions within his speech, this gives way to the idea that an audience is intended to respond. Though, it is important to note that there are two audiences when regarding this passage; one being obviously the intertextual audience, the Israelites, but as well the outer-textual audience of the reader or listener (Linville 64). This text makes use of a peculiar structure, which only lends itself to heightening the cataclysmic tone and morbid imagery. In verse 1 and 2 there is a direct address to the …show more content…
Amos says “ The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?” (3:8). In revisiting the imagery of the lion, Amos highlights the significance of this metaphor. In stating “the lion has roared,” he is telling the people that God has caught his “prey”, or that God has spoken. The image of the lion roaring emphasizes for the people the immense importance of listening to the word of God through prophets. The last line of this verse, “who can but prophesy?” is showing the people that when compelled by God, Amos must speak the prophesies given to