The Indictment and Punishment of Israel Spelled Out: Introductory and summarizing material has been concluded. We now enter into the principal collection of Amos’s oracles, encompassing 3:13–6:14, interrupted by the visions and encounter with Amaziah in chapter 7 and 8:1–3, and resuming with 8:4–9:6. This section of 3:13–4:13 forms the first large unit in the collection.

4:1–3  Throughout history women have served as “decorations” for the rich and powerful. In Western society, the more beautiful the woman, the more status is lent to her male escort or husband. The more lavishly the woman is outfitted and pampered, the more evidence there is of her man’s wealth and power. So it was too in Amos’s time apparently, and indeed, in the following century (cf. Isa. 3:16–26). The women in this oracl…