Relationship of the Messages of Amos and Hosea to the Mosaic Covenant
Relationship of the Messages of Amos and Hosea to the Mosaic Covenant
Assignment: From the oracles of Amos and Hosea show how their messages were true to the Mosaic revelation. (Think particularly of the Sinai covenant blessings and curses and the new beginning).
1.0 Introduction
In completing this assignment, I shall first endeavour to answer the question: What are the key elements of the Mosaic revelation? In addition, a brief overview of the n
New Beginnings promise will be presented. Following this, I shall then relate the oracles of Amos and Hosea to the Mosaic revelation in order to demonstrate that their messages were true to the Mosaic revelation.
2.0 The Mosaic Revelation
There are three elements of the Mosaic revelation: the characteristics of God, the purpose of God, and the requirements of God. All three aspects are important for the assignment at hand because they are embodied in the oracles of Amos and Hosea.
2.1 The Characteristics of God in the Mosaic Revelation
God revealed Himself to Moses as the sovereign, immutable, and Almighty God who is compassionate, "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6). He is a covenant-keeping God who expects His people to be mindful of His covenants and keep them. As such, He is the righteous judge and lawgiver, who blesses the obedient and would not let the guilty go unpunished. The key elements of these characteristics are discussed briefly in the following subsections.
2.1.1 His Sovereignty
God's sovereignty was revealed to Moses through (i) His dealings with the Egyptians in preparation for the exodus, (ii) His dealings with the kings who came against the Israelites, and (iii) most emphatically in the fact that though there were nations residing in the land He had promised to Abraham, it was His to give to whomever He chose to give it to. Most importantly, His sovereignty in salvation is revealed to Moses in that memorable verse:
Assignment: From the oracles of Amos and Hosea show how their messages were true to the Mosaic revelation. (Think particularly of the Sinai covenant blessings and curses and the new beginning).
1.0 Introduction
In completing this assignment, I shall first endeavour to answer the question: What are the key elements of the Mosaic revelation? In addition, a brief overview of the n
New Beginnings promise will be presented. Following this, I shall then relate the oracles of Amos and Hosea to the Mosaic revelation in order to demonstrate that their messages were true to the Mosaic revelation.
2.0 The Mosaic Revelation
There are three elements of the Mosaic revelation: the characteristics of God, the purpose of God, and the requirements of God. All three aspects are important for the assignment at hand because they are embodied in the oracles of Amos and Hosea.
2.1 The Characteristics of God in the Mosaic Revelation
God revealed Himself to Moses as the sovereign, immutable, and Almighty God who is compassionate, "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6). He is a covenant-keeping God who expects His people to be mindful of His covenants and keep them. As such, He is the righteous judge and lawgiver, who blesses the obedient and would not let the guilty go unpunished. The key elements of these characteristics are discussed briefly in the following subsections.
2.1.1 His Sovereignty
God's sovereignty was revealed to Moses through (i) His dealings with the Egyptians in preparation for the exodus, (ii) His dealings with the kings who came against the Israelites, and (iii) most emphatically in the fact that though there were nations residing in the land He had promised to Abraham, it was His to give to whomever He chose to give it to. Most importantly, His sovereignty in salvation is revealed to Moses in that memorable verse: