Amos 4:1–13 contains the second oracle of judgment against Israel. Written in the literary genre of judgment speech,1 Amos specifies a number of areas in which Israel has failed to engage with God. The focus of the chapter is on highlighting Israel’s failures and calling them to prepare for a meeting with God. Their failure to engage with God will not prevent God from engaging with them in judgment.2
Amos 4 can be arranged as follows:3
An introductory call to the women of Samaria and the first indictment (Amos 4:1)
The first announcements of judgment (Amos 4:2–3)
The second indictment (Amos 4:4–5)
The third indictment (Amos 4:6–11)
The final announcement of judgment (Amos 4:12)
A concluding hymn (Amos 4:13)
1 Ecoutez cette parole, génisses de Basan qui êtes sur la montagne de Samarie, Vous qui opprimez les misérables, qui écrasez les indigents, Et qui dites à vos maris: Apportez, et buvons!