Amos and the Rhetoric of Prophetic Utterance

Abstract

We can only agree that the arrangement of the Book of Amos reveals too many missing portions of the speeches to cause a constant flow of discourses. But when seemingly complete or whole sections are read individually, there is a deliberate and more cohesive organization apparent. But within his discourses there is a conscious arrangement of proofs and examples, an orderliness of thought patterns which lead the listeners to his anticipated goal. Even when he cites historical events there is a sequential order of chronology. Admittedly, it is difficult to read the Book of Amos and appreciate the editor's re-arrangement, for it breaks the pattern of Amos' sequence of thought, and the proper motivating force of each utterance. Therefore, there is a greater possibility of losing the fullest understanding of Amos in his mission.