Rethinking the Prophetic Critique of Worship in Amos 5 for Contemporary Nigeria and the USA

Father Udoekpo's work offers a thorough review of the theology of worship in the work of Amos of Tekoa, one of Israel's foundational prophets. It critically examines Amos 5 in its socio-historical and literary context and theologically reevaluates the application of Amos's message of ethical worship, judgment, and hope to two contemporary cultures: Nigeria and the United States of America. While intentionally down to earth and engaging in society and religion, this work discusses in a thoughtful and detailed exegetical manner the various sub-units of lamentation (vv. 1-3), the motifs of the remnant, the exhortation to the seek the Lord, justice and righteousness (vv. 4-6; 14-15, 24), judgment, and the notion of the Day of the Lord (vv. 18-20) as they relate to the theology of worship (vv. 21-27) in Amos 5. The author pastorally draws the reader's attention to Amos' view that worship must not be restricted to hypocritical offerings, empty rituals, and songs at sanctuaries, but needs to incorporate ethics of justice, peace, and righteousness practiced in marketplaces and plazas. ""Michael Udoekpo is one of the finest emerging new scholars from the third world. Thoroughly conversant with modern prophetic studies, he rightly applies Amos' critique of economic prosperity, the gulf between rich and poor, and religious hypocrisy to his native Nigerian society as well as to American society. This is a thorough reevaluation of Amos' theology of worship applied to religious communities in Africa, especially to Nigeria, and in the United States. All who would faithfully preach, teach, and live out the word of God can profit from this new analysis of the Prophet Amos."" --Richard C. Lux, Professor Emeritus, Scripture Studies, Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology; Founding Director, Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies, Sacred Heart ""Michael Ufok Udoekpo writes from the perspective of a biblical scholar with personal familiarity with both Nigeria and the United States. This book reflects his passion for applying the word of God to the two cultures that he knows best. . . . In one place, the reader may find a substantive exegetical-theological analysis of the book of Amos in its historical and literary context and a thoughtful and detailed discussion of its pastoral application to two contemporary cultures."" --From the foreword by David A. Bosworth Michael Ufok Udoekpo is Associate Professor of Sacred Scriptures and Biblical Studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His other books include Re-thinking the Day of YHWH and Restoration of Fortunes in the Prophet Zephaniah (2010).