The scope of the prophecies of Amos is intriguing.
Amos comes from the southern nation of Judah, but the majority of what he is told to say is for the northern nation of Israel. It doesn’t end there, though, for Amos has a remit to speak to a range of nations and powerhouses to let them know that God is looking at their conduct and deciding their fate too.
But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.’ (Amos 7:14, 15 NLT)
What’s also intriguing about it, is that Amos’ background has nothing to do with being a prophet. As a shepherd, he’s hardly in the religious elite of the day. It’s exactly because of his background, however, that God can use that as the perfect canvas to depict what will happen to His people in the North. The whole care element for flocks is fitting for how God argues that He cared for the people but their response to that care has been neglect.
This is what makes God’s utterances so justified. He is not doing what He’s doing suddenly. This has been generations in the making. Generations in which God has clearly warned His people about their conduct.
Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything
until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7 NLT)
God sees and God knows and God will not let the condition continue. He knows who caused the mess and He knows how often He warned them about making the mess. It’s not as though they haven’t been warned. That’s referring to the nations, not just His own people – but it definitely includes His people, which is why so much time is spent outlining the consequences of their actions.
Reading these words today evokes a strong reaction. A strong reaction of concern to be mindful of the reality that God sees and knows and has not kept silent on our situation. He is aware of those who neglect standards of justice in preference to self-indulgence. He knows those who make a mockery of Him by claiming to know Him but being brazen in their proud and dismissive behaviour.
That should cause us to be careful. That should cause us to be very concerned to pay attention to the God who sees, the God who knows and the God who will judge.
It should cause that – but does it?
(Photo by Hailey Kean on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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