Amos

Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos, “Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” 

Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel.” (Amos 7:12-15)

Amos was expelled from the northern kingdom of Israel where Bethel was located.  He was sent to Judah.  He was from the ranks of the poor.  He “spit disdain at wealthy men lying on ivory couches in their massage parlors” (6:3-6).  According the USCCB website with reference to Amos: “Israel could indeed expect the day of the Lord, but it would be a day of darkness and not light.  When Amos prophesied the overthrow of the sanctuary, the fall of the royal house, and the captivity of the people, it was more than Israelite officialdom could bear. The priest of Bethel drove Amos from the shrine—but not before hearing a terrible sentence pronounced upon himself.”

Amos didn’t believe he was special.  He was just a shepherd and dresser of sycamores.  Nevertheless, he reminds us that any of us can speak up and condemn what we know to be wrong and unjust.  Consider these words from Amos directed at the wealthy and powerful:

“Woe to those who turn justice into wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground. They hate those who reprove at the gate and abhor those who speak with integrity. Therefore, because you tax the destitute and exact from them levies of grain, though you have built houses of hewn stone, you shall not live in them. Though you have planted choice vineyards, you shall not drink their wine. 

Yes, I know how many are your crimes and how grievous are your sins: oppressing the just, accepting bribes, turning away the needy at the gate. Seek good and not evil, that you may live. Then truly the LORD, the God of hosts, will be with you as you claim. Hate evil and love good, and let justice prevail at the gate.” (Amos 5:7-17)

Amos challenges us to answer these questions. Do we: (1) turn justice into wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground; (2) oppress the just, accepting bribes, and turning away the needy at our gate; and (3) hate evil and love good?

Do we?

Deacon David Pierce