4.+Contents,+main+themes+and+messages

· Summarise the contents, main themes and/or key messages within the writing The writing in this book is based on Amos emphasising social justice. Amos condemns all acts of unjust and believed that God would punish Israel for the behaviour of the powerful people. Throughout the book is quite evident that Amos is negative as well as harsh and blunt. Newland (1999) suggests that Amos was the prophet who would roar like a lion. Amos is angered by the actions of the people of Israel, especially the rich and powerful and believed that he was designated to protect all the people of Israel, the poor from being hungry and the rich from being greedy. The main theme of Amos is the idea that Israel will be destroyed because of the actions of its people. Israel will not listen to the word of God so will consequently be destroyed. Amos’ ambition is to spread the word of the God and for the people of Israel to follow God, rather than the powers, such as the King and Priests. After so long trying to preach the word of the Lord, Amos is sent back to the southern Kingdom of Judah by the High Priest. Another theme is the way that it angers Amos that people who go to Religious ceremonies do not practise the ways of God, justice especially. The story in Amos 9:1-2 ‘The destruction of Israel’ shows the harshness of Amos when God is destroying Israel it states ‘Strike the capitals until the thresholds shake, and shatter them on the heads of all people; and those who are left I will kill with the sword; not one of them shall flee away, not one of them shall escape. The main messages I saw delivered from the Book of Amos was that he was the prophet of justice and that he spread the word of God to try and equalise people, so that there was no rich and no poor. Passage Amos 2:7 demonstrates hatred for the rich stating ‘They trample the heads of the weak into the dust of the earth, and force the lowly out of the way’. A common and stand out theme of the book of Amos is Gods destruction of Israel is due to the injustice and hypocrisy of the wealthy and the ruling class (cyb). Also the judgement that Amos made of the people of Israel who were in charge and had all the power, these are the people that ultimately, with the judgement of Amos saw Israel be destroyed. The common themes, as explained are: - Social justice - Omnipotent: people having the power to do anything - Judgement