Amos

July 30, 2017 Background Scripture: Amos 7 Lesson Passage: Amos 7:10 – 17 Amos was unique among the prophets of Israel in that he resided in the southern kingdom of Judah but God sent him to prophesy against the northern kingdom of Israel. This was unique because God typically placed a prophet in the midst of the situation even if it were in exile outside of Palestine. Because the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms at the time, Amos’ work reminds us that God has jurisdiction over all governments. As with other prophets, Amos’ work was met with stiff opposition by the local leaders. The priest of Israel conspired with the king to send Amos out of Israel and back to Judah. There is no wonder God would send an outsider with the religious leaders and civil leaders of Israel being in such collusion. Whenever there is collusion between those in religious leadership positions and civil leaders, then there is often no religious leadership. It may all become political. In spite of the local opposition, Amos defended himself against their verbal attacks and declared the word of God to them anyway. Amos spoke truth to power and the powers that were resisted the truth with all their might. Amos made it clear that his prophesying to Israel was not personal for him. Amos obeyed the calling of God upon his life. Furthermore, Amos testified to them that he was not a prophet nor was he the son of a prophet but rather a rancher and farmer. In other words, Amos was minding his own business when God sent him to Israel with the message of rebuke. There was no reason for Amos to suspect that the prophetic ministry would become his calling but God called him. When Amos gave his testimony about his calling, it is almost as though he saw himself as a fish out of water. Without the pedigree or credentials from the school of prophets to lean on, Amos was left to declare the visions and statements that God gave him just as he received them. And declare those visions he did and it shook the very temples and palaces of Israel. They knew from the oracles Amos spoke that a true God-sent prophet had visited them. In spite of their resistance to the oracles, Amos confirmed by the word of the Lord that Israel would be taken into exile although the leaders had hoped it would not happen. The leaders knew that the word of God’s prophet was powerful and would come to pass because it was spoken. They could not deny the truth of God’s word so they sought to avoid it. Therefore they conspired to have Amos go back to Judah and prophesy there and leave Israel alone. Little did they know that Amos was pleading with God on their behalf and God had forgone some of the judgments that would have been more devastating because of Amos’ plea for Israel. The prophet was being a friend to Israel although the leaders there thought otherwise. If Amos had not been sent to Israel and filled with compassion for them, their fate could have been much worse. Amos was not the son of a prophet nor did he attend the school of the prophets. But the calling of God was upon Amos and a powerful prophet he was. Robert C. Hudson June 7, 2017