Daily Divinity Questions and Answers with Witness Dingani

QN Compare and Contrast the ways which Amos used to convey the message with that of Zimbabwean prophets? (25) (Article number 107)

DIVINITY REVISION QUESTIONS|16 AUGUST 2016

COMMENT OVERVIEW
• The above question demands students to focus on the methods which were used by Amos the prophet, who prophesied during the days of Jeroboam the second [Amos 7:10]. The prophet used various ways to deliver his message. It is prudent to remember that Amos prophesied during the days of prosperous, this is according to Professor Roy, perhaps in the 8th Century.
• In Zimbabwean context, the writer will focus on the following prophets

~Madzibaba Wimbo
~W Magaya
~E Makandiwa
~The Apple prophet "Fodrick"
~The Spectacle prophet
~ Uebert Angel
~Professor Guti

• The following essay seeks to compare and contrast the ways which Amos used to convey the message with that of Zimbabwean prophets.

ANSWERS
• Amos used rhetoric questions to deliver the message, this is true in the case of Amos 3:3-7. "Do two walk together, unless they have made an appointment" Constable page 23 notes that the reason why Amos used the rhetoric questions perhaps he wanted Israelites to understand the next coming inevitable destruction. In Zimbabwean context, rhetoric questions cannot be separated from the Zimbabwean prophets. The challenge in Zimbabwean context, the audience sometimes fails to understand the message which prophet will be delivering in that particular time, thus, a message will be meaningless to the audience. Basing on the above, it is clear that there are similarities between Amos and Zimbabwean prophets when the use of rhetoric questions is concerned as a way of delivering the message.

• Amos used oracular formula to deliver the message to the Israelites, perhaps wanted the Israelites to believe that indeed Amos was divinely inspired. This is evidenced in Amos 2:6 "Thus says the Lord". In Zimbabwean context, number of so many prophets for instance Makandiwa, Angel, Wimbo claim to be the messengers of Gods. This is evidenced by the use of messenger style of speech "Thus says the Lord" some even use the vernacular language "Mwari ati/uNkulunkulu uthe" As such, one will be left with no choice but to conclude that there are similarities between Amos and the above Zimbabwean prophets when the use of oracular formula is concerned as a way of delivering the message.

• Amos used a song to deliver the message. In order for Amos to deliver his message of doom used a song "funeral dirge" perhaps wanted to give the Israelites an image of the day of the Lord, this is recorded in Amos 5:2 "Fallen no more to rise". This has been supported by Dr Constable who submitted that dirge was a song which was sung at funeral's friend. In Zimbabwe context, the TVs stations have broadcasted number of so many local prophets singing during the church service, for instance Miracle TV once broadcasted Major Provovo man of Style Uebert Angel singing in tongues,he spent ten minutes in singing. Perhaps he was delivering the message using a song. The challenge which was faced by the audience and viewers was getting the meaning of the message. [The point is that he used a song to deliver the message] All this indicates that there are similarities between Amos and Zimbabwean prophets in delivering the message as the writer highlighted abovoe.

N. B More points can be added

HOWEVER PART
• As much as there are similarities between Amos and Zimbabwean prophets on how they deliver the message, one will be totally short sighted if the author ignore the other side of the coin which show that there are differences. For instance, Zimbabwean prophets like Wimbo it is believed that they also use stories as a way of delivering the message, this was even published by Bulawayo24. com on the 25th June 2016 "He would just pretend to be telling a story and often we would realize it was a prophecy when things he would have said begin to happen" said his son Abinashen Gomo. [You can follow this link for more information http://bulawayo24. com/news/national/93127]. It is not recorded that Amos used stories as a way of delivering the message, therefore, one will be left with no choice but to suggest that there are also differences between Amos and Zimbabwean prophets when ways of delivering messages are concerned.

• Number of so many prophets nowadays uses TV stations, Radio Stations, Social Networks, Stickers, Pamphlets and Magazines. [Add the examples]. It is not recorded that Amos used stories as a way of delivering the message, therefore, one will be left with no choice but to suggest that there are also differences between Amos and Zimbabwean prophets when ways of delivering messages are concerned.

QUESTION DEMANDS
Compare and Contrast

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