This study is an exploration of "Seeking Yahweh" in Amos 5. Until now, many studies of the book of Amos have emphasized the "Day of Yahweh" to describe impending judgment upon the people of Yahweh. The prophet Amos focuses on the message of restoratio...
This study is an exploration of "Seeking Yahweh" in Amos 5. Until now, many studies of the book of Amos have emphasized the "Day of Yahweh" to describe impending judgment upon the people of Yahweh. The prophet Amos focuses on the message of restoration, employing the Hebrew term "darash," however. The word "darash" is applied four times in the book of Amos. Unusually, all four times are in Amos 5. In verses 4, 6, and 14, the meaning of "darash" in an imperative tone to emphasize Israel’s restoration. In all three verses, the Hebrew term "haya" is employed in conjunction with "darash" to accentuate life.
Conversely, the concept of "darash" in verse 5 means to criticize Israel’s worship practices. The true worship of the people of Yahweh is based on the instruction of Torah. Seeking Yahweh is to practice the norms of Torah and to do justice at the gates. It is time to seek Yahweh; it is time to restore the proper worship of God’s people. The term "darash" identifies Israel to be as the people of Yahweh in the presence of Him.