SCRIPTURE: AMOS 7
LOCUST, FIRE AND A PLUMB LINE (vs. 1-9)
The Lord showed Amos 3 things:
- Swarm of locusts – to strip the land clean. (v. 1-3)
- Fire – to dry up and devour the land (vs. 3-6)
- A Plumb line – to destroy the high place of Isaac, to ruin the sanctuary of Israel and to rise sword against the house of Jeroboam.
Amos interceded the first two and the Lord relented. But he did not intercede for the third one.
AMOS AND AMAZIAH (vs. 10-17)
Amaziah was the priest of Bethel. He sent a message to the king of Israel telling him what Amos said as follows: “Jeroboam will die by the sword. Israel will surely go into exile away from their native land.” Then Amaziah told Amos to get out and go back to the land of Judah. He was not allowed to prophesize at Bethel because this is the kings sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom. Amos answered Amaziah: “I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd, and I took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and go to prophesy to the people of Israel. Since you told me not to prophesy against Israel and stop preaching against the house of Isaac, this is what will happen according to the Lord: Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be measure and divided up, and you yourself will die in a pagan country. And Israel will certainly go into exile, away from their native land.” (v. 17)
THOUGHTS:
There is conflict between Amos, the prophet and Amaziah, the priest. The priest wanted to conserve the past while the prophet threatens the present in order to preserve the future. Amos was a humble shepherd while Amaziah was a man of position. But Amos did not back down because he knew he was under God’s calling. How about you? Do you have the faith of Amos to stand firm for what God had entrusted you to do?
A plumb line is a device used to ensure the straightness of a wall. A wall that is not straight will eventually collapse. God want people to be right with him by removing our sins. God’s Word is the plumb line to measure up to God’s standard. Are you reading His Word?
Prophets like Amos were often regarded as traitors and enemies because they spoke out against the king and his advisers, questioning their authority and exposing their sins. But in reality, they are God’s spokesmen who are trying to help them and the nation.
Amaziah was a priest but he didn’t care about God’s message. He considered maintaining his position more important than telling God’s truth. Do not let your desire for prestige, authority or money keep you from obeying God?