Amos, Hosea, Isaiah and Micah, who came to prophesize after Elisha, were the most significant prophets of the 8th century. Their ministry to the people of Israel and Judah took place during politically and socially complicated period in the history of the kingdom, which was displayed in their messages.
A common topic of their ministries was the condemnation of sin and a call for repentance. Even though the country looked quite prosperous outwardly during that period of time, the people had been degrading spiritually and morally (Amos 5:2, Micah 6:11-12). The God-chosen nation indulged into idolatry and worshiped Baal (Hosea 8:4, 11:2, 13:2; Amos 5:26, Isaiah 2:8 etc.) Drunkenness and adultery were common (Amos 2:12, 6:6-7; Hosea 4:1-2, 13). Corruption in the society and religion took place (Amos 2:6; Isaiah 1:4,11,13) in the context of social injustice, violence and oppression of the poor (Amos 5:12, 6:7; Isaiah 1:17, 21-23; Micah 6:11-12, 7:6).
Ethics in general are the principles that suggest what is right and what is wrong. According to the ethical messages of 8th century prophets, the only source of ethical behavior was God and covenant relationship that Israelites had with Him. The reason for great ethical and spiritual decay of Israel and Judah was that people did not follow the ethical obligations of the covenant relationship they had with God since the Moses/Sinai story. The prophets through their ministries tried to help the people understand what was expected of them in that relationship. To my mind, it is best summarized in the book of Micah, chapter 6 verse 8:
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
The same message has been undergird in the Moses/Sinai covenant story. The Lord has shown His grace to His people when He brought them out of Egypt, and as a response to this grace, Israelites were supposed to live in a certain way. I think the main idea of a covenant relationship was stated in the introductory speech on the mountain Sinai: “I will be your God” and “You shall be my people” (Exodus 19:4-6). Being “God’s people” meant to find their ethical source in the Lord alone and to reflect His love and mercy in their lives. Unfortunately, the chosen nation failed to do so in the 8th century. That is why the ethical messages of Amos, Hosea, Isaiah and Micah were extremely important for the people to hear.
Works Cited:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005. Print.
