In the prophetic words that Amos speaks in the 700s BC, God roars, and pastures wither (1.2). The prophet angers the king and people by indicting them for indifference to the poor, exploiting the poor, taking bribes, and cheating people. The wealthy of Israel’s court do not welcome his message.
Amos is a precursor to John the Baptist and Jesus, an earlier prophet whose preaching a king rejects. Amos does not belong to a professional school of prophets, which must have existed in his time.
God’s call brings Amos no benefit. It changes his life, takes him from his work, and leads him into trouble. King Amaziah kicks Amos out of the royal sanctuary at Bethel and out of the northern kingdom.
The king rejects Amos.
And Amaziah said to Amos, “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.”
Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Holy One took me from following the flock, and the Holy One said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”
Amos 7.12-15
- Why are prophets so unpopular with kings?
- How are we responding to the prophets among us?