"Affluence,
exploitation and the profit motive were the most notable features of the
society which Amos observed and in which he worked ...
"Standards
had gone to pot. Authority and the rule of law were despised, and
national leadership, while reveling in the publicity and dignity of
position ... seemed to be contributing to the complete breakdown of law
and order".
Thus
J. A. Motyer exposes and explains the astonishing relevant - but never
popular - message of the prophet Amos. Michael Green says: "Alec
Motyer has clearly got the spirit of Amos in his blood. He loves the
prophet from Tekoa, and takes endless pains to give full weight to every
syllable of the prophecy. He is, of course, a distinguished scholar, and
we are given full value on that front; but you will find here none of
the dreary academic deadness which all to often comes through in
commentary work".
J. A.
Motyer was formerly Principal of Trinity College, Bristol, England. He
is the Old Testament Editor of the New Bible Commentary as well as
contributor to the Illustrated Bible Dictionary. In the present series
he is also the author of The Message of Philippians and The message of
James.
