Week 6

 

Questions to keep in mind while reading (and note that the focus question for your group will appear on your discussion board page)

Read Chapter 8 of TIOT, pages 253-281

  1. (TIOT 253) "Amid all the military and political maneuvering of this period of time, the texts claim that the most acute issue for Israel was a spiritual sickness that slowly but surely consumed the heart of its people." This raises more directly a matter that has been indirectly addressed in a number of the discussions. For any country to thrive (and you can think USA here), does it need to have a vital spiritual life? In the case of ancient Israel, that spirituality was Yahwehism. Is the issue Yahwehism? Is it a matter of having just any single, unifying religious identity to reinforce national identity? (focus for Genesis Group)
  2. (TIOT 254f) "Canaanite religion influenced Israel's religion in both negative and positive ways." Syncretism, however, is later identified as being the force that introduced idolatrous practices and compromised Israel's commitment to Yahweh. Is it possible to draw good from a culture without being drawn into it? (A typical example is Luther's setting Christian hymn lyrics to beer hall tunes.) What potential positives and negatives face Christianity in the midst of USA culture today? (focus for Exodus Group)
  3. (TIOT 266) "Criteria for distinguishing between true and false [prophets] were never able to be precisely developed, however; only later generations were able to discern the identity of the true prophets and collected their stories and words." If this was true then, how can we tell the difference between true and false prophets today?
  4. (TIOT 272) Citing the case of Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18, it notes that "the concern here is more to protect Yahweh's immanence than divine transcendence." Which of these, do you think, needs more protection today?  (focus for Leviticus Group)


This week I am asking you to read Amos, Hosea, Micah, and Zephaniah. (I am NOT asking you to read Isaiah 1-39, and it is a significant omission. Put it on your to do list!)

If at all possible, read Amos using this site: Amos - Postmodern Bible hypermedia commentary for serious Bible study (I would be interested in any comments you have on this site.)
Use your study Bibles for Hosea, Micah, and Zephaniah.

(Following questions from: http://www.hope.edu/bandstra/RTOT/CH13/SG/SG.HTM)

Questions for Reading Comprehension

  1. What was Amos's attitude to issues of social justice, and how did he perceive the relationship between religious worship and community responsibility? See Amos.
  2. In what way was Hosea's personal life a lesson to Israel of its relationship to God? See Hosea.
  3. What social class conflict is evident in Micah, and how does it relate to covenant theologies? See Micah.
  4. What is the Day of Yahweh theme, employed in Zephaniah and also in Amos? See Zephaniah.
  5. The Twelve Prophets, if not the namesakes themselves, then certainly the editors and compilers, were concerned to balance judgement with salvation. Do you think God's punishment is inevitable, or will there always be salvation in the end?

Questions for Reflection

  1. Amos 5.18-21: Does this text only have relevance to ancient Israel? Is this a reference to those who like the Left Behind series? Is it a critique of Lutheran churches today?
  2. Amos 9.11-15: Many scholars argue that these verses are a later addition to the book of Amos. The addition certainly leaves the reader with an upbeat, hopeful prospect rather than the doom of Amos 9.10. How does one discern between genuine hope and mere wishful thinking? How does this affect your preaching and teaching? (focus for Numbers Group)
  3. Hosea 1-2 portrays God as being filled with pathos, anger, and affection toward Israel. In what ministry settings might you draw upon this image of God? (focus for Deuteronomy Group)
  4. Micah 3 presents Micah in contrast to those prophets who support the ruling davidic dynasty and promote national interests. How will you in your ministry know whether you are supposed to pronounce judgment, call for repentance, or pronounce blessing? (focus for Joshua Group)