Archaeology is obviously relevant to the historical books of the Bible. Whether we are considering the conquest of Jericho, the existence of King David, or the construction of Solomon’s Temple, material evidence from the ancient world can help us understand the text and preach it with a sense of its historical value.
Preachers should be aware of some of the debates over the historical evidence for these periods of time. This might at first appear less relevant when preaching from the Hebrew prophets. However, taking Amos as our example, we can show just how important historical references are, both to bring the text to life and to cast light on the book’s message. Preachers who regularly use graphics with their sermons can f ind a ready range of suitable images.1 Beautiful images from archaeological discoveries can add another dimension to our sermons.
Time and Place
Locating a prophet in their historical and geographical context can be crucial for understanding their message correctly. Amos identifies Uzziah as king of Judah (792-740 BC) and Jeroboam II (786-746 BC) as king of Israel in the north (Amos 1:1). The dates for Jeroboam’s reign are somewhat more debated but Amos’ reference to ‘two years before the earthquake’ is a significant help.
Earthquakes are a regular event in the Holy Land, as it sits on the great Syria-Africa rift. The archaeological record, over the centuries, shows many small tremors and a few massive earthquakes.2 The way rocks split and walls fall betray the cause of their collapse. A major earthquake was recorded across the region in Hazor, Bethel, Beersheba and Jerusalem. While a precise date is not possible, 760-750 BC is plausible, and makes sense of Amos’ reference. An article in the International Geology Review3 estimated this earthquake had a magnitude between 7.8 and 8.2. That would have been catastrophic, and provides the frame of reference for the words of Amos. Why does any of this matter? Identifying the general period in which a prophet delivered their words can help us describe what life was like at the time. The archaeological record can illustrate the state of the nation – its economic stability, religious life and threats to security. A date shortly before 750 BC places Amos in a time of relative peace and prosperity in Israel, before the threatening rise of Assyria and its expansion
