James R. Linville, «Visions and Voices: Amos 7–9», Vol. 80 (1999) 22-42

The final chapters of Amos are read synchronically to highlight the relationship between the divine voice, which demands that its hearers prophesy (Amos 3,8), the voice of Amos, and those of other characters. Amos’ intercessions soon give way to entrapping word-plays and these are related to the rhetorical “traps” in Amos 1–2. Divine and prophetic speech defy the wish of human authority that they be silent. The figure of Amos eventually disappears from the reader’s view, but not before the prophet has been used as a focal point for the readers’ projections of themselves into the literary world of the text. As the scenes change from ultimate destruction to restoration, the readers appropriate the prophetic voice themselves, especially in the final verse which ends with a declaration of security uttered by “your God”.

The writers confront their readers with God’s direct speech, which draws them into its own implied narrative. It is done subtly and brilliantly, with the final syllable, a final possessive. And so the book of Amos ends with a direct address to the reader, and, should the reader identify completely with Amos and the imperative to prophesy suggested in the visions and 3,3-8, the reader closes with a prophetic promise to Israel.

I will plant them on their land,
and never again shall they be rooted out
from their land which I have given them
says the Lord your God (9,15).
Mkyhl) hwhy rm)

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