ABSTRACT
The ultimate reversibility of Amos 1-2's promise of there being 'no return' is revealed. Israel is but one of a number of nations including Cush, Aram and Philistia. Even Israel's exodus is comparable to those of Aram and Philistia. Oddly, Aram is said to have come out of Kir, but that is to where 1:5 would have them exiled. The shift to direct address and the use once more of rhetorical questions in 9:7 bring a renewed sense of immediacy to the book. The immediacy partly undermines the remoteness of the terrible image of God scouring all creation for more victims who are referred to only with pronouns. The God who once vowed to command the sea serpent and the captor's sword to kill any refugees now commands that Israel be 'shaken' amidst the nations. The sukkah also evokes an idealized past.
