Tyd in die slot van die boek Amos

Abstract

Time in the epilogue of the book of Amos

This article examines the concept of time, as filled with action, and as used in the epilogue of Amos. The concept of time is scrutinized in the light of the surprising announcement of prosperity and peace over and against the announcement of ruin in the rest of the book. The issue is approached against the background of Amos’ integrative as well as transcending (and eschatological) perspective. Viewed cyclically and mythologically, Israel integrated all things in the cult by trying to manipulate time and even God. In reality time and history were frozen in the Israelite way of thinking. This mode of thinking caused the disintegration of the cult from everyday life and from God who reveals Himself as personal and thus requiring sound personal relations between himself and His people. Amos calls for genuine integration in all respects. The epilogue leads this integration to a climax making use of the idea that Yahweh is the all-powerfull and life-creating God, an idea which runs like a golden thread through the Old Testament.