Historical Minas Gerais: CONGONHAS. The Twelve Prophets I: Amós (Amos)

Congonhas, MG (02)
The 12 Prophets: Amós

(Click here for the complete overview of ‘Historical Minas Gerais’)

Congonhas is a small historic city at 75 km south of Belo Horizonte, along the ‘Estrada Real’ to Rio de Janeiro. The city is well known for the statues of Brazilian artist Aleijadinho.
The prophets by Aleijadinho: I, prophet Amós (Amos).
Amós, who lived in the eighth century B.C., was one of the earliest prophets. He was chosen to warn the Israeli people of the impending doom that was awaiting them.

The prophets (with clickable links),from left to right (names in Portuguese):

Amos – Joel – Ezequiel – Isaías – Jonas – Abdias – Daniel – Jeremias – Naum – Habacuc – Oséias – Baruc

Amós

Statues of twelve prophets carved from soap stone are located in front of Santuário do Bom Jesus Matosinhos. Aleijadinho had sculpted them between 1795 and 1805. Most left is the statue of prophet Amos.

Amos (‘born’ or ‘a load’) is one of the earliest prophets. He lived in the eighth century B. C. in Tekoa, near Bethlehem. Amos was of simple origin, and was active as a sheep breeder and fig grower. He lived in the country named Judah, which was ruled by King Jerobeam II. Amos was chosen for the people of Israel, to warn them about the impending doom that was awaiting them. Hence, Amos was not very popular. His humble descent is in sharp contrast with his eloquence and his spirit. Sources indicate that Amos was also learned. It is not known whether the prophetic words of Amos actually had become reality.

Modest

Aleijadinho has displayed the simple origin of Amos in the statue. He is completely different from the other eleven prophets. Amos has a long face with a calm expression. His clothes are of a shepherd with a sheep skin jacket. On his head he wears a hat, common to the hat used by Portuguese farmers in the Alentejo region.

On the shield that Amos is holding, one can read the following motto:

“Primo Equidem/
Pastor Factus/
De inde Propheta,/
In Vaccas Pin/
Gues Invehor?
Et Proceres./
Amos/
Cap.1”.

(“Feito primeiro pastor, e em seguida profeta, dirijo-me contra as vacas gordas e os chefes de Israel. Amós,cap.1”).

(At first I am a shepherd and a prophet, and I am against fat cows and the rulers of Israel)