Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of his land.

Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go flee thou away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: but prophesy no again any more at Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a royal house.

Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees: and Jehovah took me from following the flock, and Jehovah said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

Now therefore hear thou the word of Jehovah: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Issac; therefore thus saith Jehovah: Thy wife shall be a harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou thyself shalt die in a land that is unclean, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of his land.

Suddenly the prophecy of Amos is interrupted. A historical incident is now introduced. To some it seems that this incident is entirely out of place here. but it follows very normally from that which has preceded.

Amos has spoken concerning his visions at Bethel. This is the place of the king’s sanctuary and at this place Amaziah is the chief priest. Amos has not only spoken woes on the house of Israel, but he even mentioned the fact that God would rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword. Amaziah hastens to the king. He tells the king what Amos has said. This is nothing less than treason! The priest does not give an accurate report, but that is explainable. He is upset! The land is not able to bear all the words of Amos, according to Amaziah. This prophet is becoming dangerous!

Now Amaziah speaks to Amos. He has advice for him. Why wait until Jeroboam drives you out of the land? Go, flee into the land of Judah. That was Amos’ home. In the eyes of Amaziah he is a seer—one who sees visions—a visionary. Go back to the land of Judah and you can make your living there as a prophet. Amos is prophesying to make a living. He can do that better in Judah. Don’t prophesy here because this is the king’s sanctuary and a royal house. We don’t want to hear your words here. This place of worship is not the place where God’s word must be heard! Everything was fine here before you came. Don’t disturb our peace!

This episode gives an indication of the spiritual decay in Israel. The priest is far more concerned about external peace than the truth of God. Silence the prophet! Then they can continue in the way which they desire.

What will Amos do? Will he admit defeat, before this churchman? Amaziah has informed him how his words have been received. Amos will not be “successful.” He is told to quit and go back home.

Amos is not frightened. He gives the priest a very clear answer. There is good reason why he has preached here in Bethel. True, says Amos, I was not a prophet or the son of a prophet. I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees. Amos was not a prophet by profession. He did not have to make his living by preaching the word of God. He made his living in a different manner. Therefore, the insinuation that he should go back to Judah and earn his bread there by preaching is based on a false assumption. Nor was it Amos’ own idea to come to the northern kingdom to preach. “Jehovah took me…Jehovah said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.” That is the reason why he is here. Jehovah laid hold on him. Jehovah put the words in his mouth. When Jehovah speaks, who can but prophesy? Amos is not a hireling! He has been sent!

Had the prophet been a hireling, he would, no doubt, have been. frightened and would have fled. But how could a hireling ever speak the words which Amos had spoken? Sufficient hire could not be given a man to speak such words! There is something far more compelling than the desire for bread which has caused Amos to leave his home to warn apostate Israel. The compulsion of Jehovah was upon him. Here is the contrast: sufficient pay could not be given a hireling to do what Amos did; nothing in the world could stop Amos from preaching this word when he had been called by God! That call is necessary for the true prophet. Amaziah has not understood the man Amos. He thought that the prophet was one like himself. Amaziah desired to maintain his position at all costs. Amos is only interested in speaking all the words which Jehovah has given him to speak. The true and the false are here brought face to face.

         

           

Religious leaders like Amaziah have brought Israel to its present sad state. Amaziah will not disturb Israel’s godlessness. Amos does. But they need an Amos much more than an Amaziah!

Amos is not frightened by the priest nor docs he change his approach. The word must be spoken. Even though Jeroboam would rise against him with his soldiers, Amos will be true to his calling. The prophet continues his message. However, -he first addresses his words to the chief priest in particular. He does not stand in awe of Amaziah nor of his connections with the royal house. Because this priest has dared to withstand the prophet of God, special woes will fall upon him and his family. You said thus…but Jehovah says this. The words of the priest are contrasted with the words of the living God. They should have been speaking the same words. What will be the result of Amaziah’s opposition to the word of God? His wife will be a harlot in the city. The chief priest’s wife will be known publicly as a base woman. His family life will be destroyed. His sons and daughters will fall by the sword. That sword which. would never come in the estimation of Amaziah would slay his own children. His land, his possessions, will be parceled out to others. He himself will die in an alien· land. His house will be utterly ruined. Judgment will be visited more severely on this priest than on virtually any other man. Woe to him who withstands the word of God!

The prophet concludes with the same message which he had given again and again: Israel will surely be led away captive out of his land. Amaziah’s interruption has not changed things in the least. The people must realize that not rung can stop the word of God. This word will be spoken and this word will be fulfilled. They must not seek to silence the prophet; they must repent!

Too often there has been the attempt to silence the prophets of God. This has always been disastrous for those who attempted it. God causes his word to go forth and he will also protect those whom he calls to proclaim that word.

Questions for discussion:

1. Why would Amaziah wish Amos to leave?

2. Is there danger that we will have places or situations where we do not wish to hear the word of God?

3. Should anyone enter the ministry who can avoid it?

4. May ministers ever consider their work as their livelihood? Do church members ever consider the minister’s work to be such?

5. What made Amos so fearless?