Amos 6-7
What a picture of Israel’s complacency: the notable men of the nation lounging on comfortable couches, sleeping on ivory beds, dining on choice foods, listening to music, and sometimes “jamming” together. They drink wine continuously, but they do not grieve over the ruin of their nation. Because of this, God says: “Woe to you!” and “You will be among the first to go into exile” (6:1-7). The rest of Amos 6 outlines God’s plans for judgment against them!
Who among us grieves over the ruin of our nation? Who is warning America of coming judgment? And who is paying them any attention?
Amos was just such a man for the nation of Israel; he interceded for her twice, and the Lord listened (7:1-6). Finally, the Lord took a plumb line used to build a straight wall and showed Amos that the people of Israel were out of plumb, and He could “spare them no longer” (7:8).
Simultaneously, it seems, Amaziah, the religious leader of Israel (operating as a priest, but not in Jerusalem as the law prescribed) tells the king that Amos is prophesying against him. Then, on the king’s behalf, he tells Amos to return to Judah and do the prophet thing there. This is when Amos famously answers, “I am neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but a shepherd and a tender of fig trees.” Nevertheless, Amos goes on to pronounce judgment against both Amaziah and the nation of Israel.
There is a delicate balance here. God says to submit to earthly authorities (Romans 13), but here is Amos openly defying both the religious and civil authorities of his day! The former is the general rule, it seems, the latter is the exception. When? During times of great moral complacency!
Your fellow pilgrim through the Prophets,
Pastor Gary
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