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Joel seem already referred to by Amos, "the burden-bearer" (comp. Amos 1:2; 9:13 with
Joel 3:16, 18, 20). Amos himself was also a Judean, originally a "herdsman of Tekoa"
(Amos 1:1; 7:14). But his ministry was in Israel, and during the latter part of Jeroboam's
reign, after the accession of Uzziah (Amos 1:1). There in Bethel, where the false worship
of Israel was combined with the greatest luxury and dissipation, the prophet was
confronted by Amaziah, its chief priest. Although apparently unsuccessful in his
accusations of political conspiracy against the prophet, Amos was obliged to withdraw
into Judah (Amos 7:10-13). Here he wrote down his prophetic utterances, prefacing them
by an announcement of coming judgment (Amos 1:2.)through a nation, evidently that
very Assyria on which the confidence of Jeroboam had rested (comp. Amos 5:27; 6:14).
Yet, amidst all his denunciations, Amos also looked forward to, and prophesied of the
glorious Messianic kingdom (Amos 9:11-15). A third prophet of that period was Hosea,
"help" - the Jeremiah of the northern kingdom, as he has been aptly designated. From
certain allusions in his book we infer that he had been a native of the northern kingdom
(Hosea 1:3; 6:10; comp. 7:8). His ministry was probably towards the end of the reign of
Jeroboam, and extended to the rising of Shallum and of Menahem (comp. Hosea 6:8;
7:7). His prophecies give special insight into the political relations and dangers of the
northern kingdom, and into the utter corruption of all classes. Frequent, too, are his
references to Judah. Yet here also we mark the persistence of the outlook on the better
Davidic kingdom (Hosea 3), with much concerning it scattered throughout his
prophecies. Lastly, as yet another prophet of that period, we have again to refer to Jonah,
the son of Amittai,* a native of Gath-hepher, in the tribal possession of Zebulun,** and
therefore in the northern part of Israel.
- Of the prophet Isaiah we purposely write not in this place.
** It lay on the eastern boundary of Zebulun (Joshua 19:13), and is probably represented
by a modern village (El Meshed) about an hour north of Nazareth. (A strange historical
coincidence this.)
Without entering on the critical questions connected with the story which forms the
burden of the Book of Jonah, or discussing the precise date of its publication in its
present form,* a deep significance surely attaches to its association with the prophet
contemporary of Jeroboam II.
- This is not the place for critical discussions. But in the political relations between the
northern kingdom and Assyria, such a mission as that of Jonah to Nineveh seems
certainly both possible and credible. Again, modem researches have confirmed the
account of the size of Nineveh in Jonah 3:3. Objection has been taken on the ground that
the Hebrew of the book contains words of later formation (Aramaisms). But competent
authorities have contended that these words and forms are purely north-Israelitic, and
hence not indicative of a later period. In any case such objections could only apply in
regard to the precise date when the book in its present form was published -not to its
(^)