Amos 5:1-17

A Lamentation Over Israel (Amos 5:1).

While speaking powerfully Amos had no joy in what was to happen to Israel, and having pronounced judgment on them, he now laments what must necessarily be their end if they do not repent. It demonstrates that underneath his iron words he had a tender heart. That there was opportunity to repent comes out in the continual repetition of the call to ‘seek YHWH' and to ‘seek goodness', and ‘live', which is a theme of the passage (Amos 5:4; Amos 5:6; Amos 5:14). But Amos has little hope of it happening, which is why he pronounces this dual funeral dirge, although combining it with a call to repentance, over them. The passage is in the form of a chiasmus, further emphasising its unity.

a Opening lamentation (1-3).

b A first call to repentance (4-6).

c A first indictment on Israel (Amos 5:7).

d A call to consider YHWH's glory and power (Amos 5:8).

c A further indictment on Israel (Amos 5:10).

b A further call to repentance (Amos 5:14).

a A further lamentation (Amos 5:16).