We get our first glimpse of potential danger for Amos when a priest from Bethel gets word of Amos’ declarations from God. This priest, Amaziah, is not at all welcoming and begins to stir things up for Amos. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “don’t shoot the messenger.” That’s a little of what Amos may be facing, yet we don’t see any threats of physical harm.
Amaziah wants Amos to go back and be a prophet in his own land. Amos stands his ground and said, “the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.’” Amos was being obedient to God. I’m sure there were plenty of times when Amos wondered why he had been chosen to speak to Israel when he was from Judah. He didn’t question God. Can you think of a time when you questioned God’s movement in your life?
Amos’ example is a good message for us. We may not always understand how God is working in a certain situation. That’s especially true when things don’t go our way or when there appears to be no rational reason. That’s just it. We don’t see. We are incapable of seeing with God’s eyes. Our job is to do our best to follow the direction in which God leads us. Sometimes I wish there were road signs along the road of life guiding me the right way.
Amaziah appears to want to marginalize Amos’ words and see them as politically motivated and not divine proclamation. We see how far even the priests have fallen in Israel that they don’t revere the message from God. What is Amos’s response?
Despite the warning to go home, Amos stays and delivers yet another message. Some call it an “oracle” against the priest, Amaziah. This is the only oracle of judgment against an individual we’ll find in the book of Amos. God wasn’t pleased with the push back Amaziah was giving Amos. Amaziah’s fate, as well as his families’, was now also sealed.
The LORD continues to show up for Amos and give him the words to speak. God shows up for us, too, even if we don’t know he’s there. Rest in the promise found in Deuteronomy 31:8, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Let’s pray. Father, thank you for how you protected Amos from an uncomfortable situation just like you protect me every day. Sometimes I don’t even know that you have acted on my behalf, but I am so grateful that you never fail or abandon me. Help me to trust you and seek you for each new step I take. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
