Amos 7:1-17
Q.1. Why did God reveal His plans for Israel? What do you make of God’s changing His mind? What do we learn from Amos about the power of prayer? – (Am.7:1-6 c.f. Rom.9:14-18; Jms.5:16b)
The prophet had already revealed that God is reasonable – Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets (Am.3:7). The prophecy of doom might yet be averted, if Israel would repent – 14 Seek good and not evil, that you may live; And thus may the Lord God of hosts be with you, just as you have said! 15 Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate! Perhaps the Lord God of hosts may be gracious to the remnant of Joseph (Am.5:14-15). The prophet knew that God could be entreated to refrain from following through His stated act of punishment. Since God had stated that He had ‘a secret counsel’, this implies that Amos was shown what was going to happen, for the purpose of allowing the prophet to ask God to change what He had stated He would do (Am.7:1-6). It is a wonderful example of both how to make an appeal to God, and the grounds to believe that the Lord will be touched by our prayers and petitions – … I said, “Lord God, please pardon! How can Jacob stand, for he is small?” … Then I said, “Lord God, please stop! How can Jacob stand, for he is small?” (Am.7:2 & 5). Twice God relented – The Lord changed His mind about this. “It shall not be,” said the Lord … The Lord changed His mind about this. “This too shall not be,” said the Lord God (Am.7:3 & 6). What an encouragement.
Q.2. Why did God show Amos the plumbline? How did this justify the action He was about to make? Why was God duty-bound to bring judgment on Israel? – (Am.7:7-9 c.f. 2 Kgs.15:8-10)
Amos had made his appeal to God, from his human perspective. Now God revealed to the prophet His standard of measure, and why He would not spare Israel again – The Lord said to me, “What do you see, Amos?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold I am about to put a plumb line In the midst of My people Israel. I will spare them no longer (Am.7:8). God could no longer tolerate the sins of Jeroboam who had caused Israel to sin, nor his own father’s sins, that were still being perpetuated (Am.7:9 c.f. 2 Kgs.15:8-10). To not act against the sins of Israel would give the impression that God was not in control, and that He did not care.
Q.3. Are all who claim to represent God trustworthy? How determined was Amos to be true to his call? How did God bring judgment on the family of Amaziah? – (Am.7:10-17)
Amaziah was a powerful priest who had direct access to the king. This false servant of God took it upon himself to bring a negative report against the faithful prophet. He virtually told him to escape to Judah, where his words would be marginally better received (Am.7:10-13). We learn that not all who are ordained to the ministry can be trusted. Amos responded by telling Amaziah that he was not a prophet by occupation, but by divine call – 14 Then Amos replied to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. 15 But the Lord took me from following the flock and the Lord said to me, Go prophesy to My people Israel.’ (Am.7:14-15). He then delivered a devastating judgment against Amaziah’s wife and family. The priest had weakly supported the sins of the nation. These sins would claim the affections of his wife, and deal him the ultimate insult – Therefore, thus says the Lord,Your wife will become a harlot in the city … (Am.7:17). His bleating against Amos would not stave off God’s judgment on the nation – … Moreover, Israel will certainly go from its land into exile.'” (Am.7:17).