Amos 7
Theme: The Lord’s Prophet
Key Text: Verse 15
Very little is known about the prophet Amos. Only two brief glimpses into his personal life are recorded in this prophecy (see 1:1; 7:14, 15). We aren’t introduced to his parents. Neither his wife nor his own family is ever mentioned. There is no reference to his age. In this chapter, however, we do get to see “The Lord’s Prophet” in action, and see how others responded to his message and ministry. We gather that this is the last of his public ministry, especially in the Northern Kingdom. However, his ministry was not over, for the Holy Spirit would inspire him to write what he had preached.
1. As A Visionary
Three of the prophet’s five visions are recorded in the first half of the chapter. In textual succession, they are: 1. The Vision Of The Locusts (7:1-3); 2. The Vision Of The Fire (7:4-6); and 3. The Vision Of The Plumbline (7:7-9). Amazingly, in answer to the prophet’s prayers, the first two judgments would never come to pass. However, after “The Lord repented” (7:3, 6) and granted a reprieve, a space for the people to repent (cf. Rev. 2:21), the final doom was revealed. Laying the plumbline to the wall, the Lord gave the tragic news, “I will not again pass by them any more” (7:8).
2. As A Victim
Amos was the southern preacher who had come to preach up north. He was the country preacher who had come to town. He was the little preacher who had come to declare God’s message to the big wheels. From day one, he had faced opposition in this field of service. However, when the leaders heard about his visions, they felt he was a threat to their little operation, and something had to be done. Therefore, “Amaziah, the priest of Bethel” (7:10), the head of the religious system, set out to destroy his ministry. He lied about the prophet’s message (see 7:11; cf. 6:9), mocked his visions, and commanded him to go back south “and prophesy there” (7:12).
3. As A Voice
Amos was told that he couldn’t preach anymore around “the king’s chapel” (7:13) at Bethel. But, he was able to give one final testimony in the apostate environment. He admitted that as “an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit” (7:14), his credentials were not impressive. Then, he reminded Amaziah that the system didn’t call him, or commission him, to preach. He said, “The Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, ‘Go prophesy unto My people Israel’” (7:15). With this brief explanation, “The Lord’s Prophet” declared a terrible woe on Amaziah's family (see 7:16), and, apparently headed back home to Tekoa.