The Concepts of Yahweh in the Hymnic Doxologies of Amos 4:13, 5:8–9, and 9:5–6

Abstract

This article is concerned with the image of Yahweh as portrayed in Amos 4:13, 5:8-9 and 9:5-6. It argues that Yahweh is portrayed as Creator, Lord of creation, all-powerful, all-knowing, transcendent, and immanent and emphasizes his unique creative skills in bringing into being all natural existence in complete independence. It also demonstrates Yahweh's sovereign freedom in controlling the cosmos and indicates that all in the universe is dependent upon him and is subject to his authority. For not only has he created all that there is, he continues to renew and sustain the entire creation. For the author, then, Yahweh owns the cosmos and has the power to rule all creation by summoning, sustaining, governing, and using the forces of nature for his purposes. This sets him over the nations and creation as Lord and gives him the right to claim the worship of all people, as he confers on all creation his own protection. This also becomes an appropriate foundation for understanding the message of divine judgment against the nations in Amos 1:3–2:16.