Tuesday: Called to Be a Prophet
Amos’ home was Tekoa, in Judah, but God sent him to prophesy in Israel.
Image © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com
He had gone to the northern kingdom and preached with such power that the land was not “able to bear all his words” (Amos 7:10, NKJV). Certainly many Israelites looked at Amos with suspicion and rejected him as God’s messenger. In spite of that rejection, he faithfully performed his prophetic ministry.
Read Amos 7:10-17. What familiar pattern is seen here? What other examples can you find in the Bible of the same thing happening? What should we learn from all these examples?
Among those who did not like Amos’ preaching was Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, who accused Amos of conspiracy against Israel’s king. Bethel was one of the two royal sanctuaries, the very centers of apostate worship. Amos had predicted in public that if Israel did not repent, its king would die by the sword and the people would be led away captive. Amaziah ordered Amos to go back to the land of Judah, where his messages against Israel would be more popular.
In his response to the priest, Amos affirmed that his prophetic call came from God. He claimed that he was not a professional prophet who May be hired for services. Amos distanced himself from professional prophets who prophesied for gain.
However, speaking the truth by no means guarantees acceptance, because the truth can at times be uncomfortable and—if it disturbs those in power—it can produce serious opposition. God’s call compelled Amos to preach so openly and so boldly against the sins of the king and the nobility from the northern kingdom that he was accused of treason.
What is our attitude when told that our actions and/or lifestyles are sinful and will bring punishment upon us? What does our answer tell us about ourselves and about, perhaps, the need for a change of heart and attitude?
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My answer to Tuesday's questions is to take heed of the comments when we are being told that our lifestyles or attitude is sinful. Yes we are sinful but it does not mean we continue to commit those sins that we know we should put away. We do not have to get angry but ask the powerful word of God to help us put away and live right. God's word is powerful an sharper than a two edged sword that cuts through anything that we think we cannot go through. God is love and His love is deeper than the ocean. Only our pride and our hard hearted that we cannot do those things that God wants us to do. Humble ourselves and live the life Christ wants us to live.
Rejecting his credentials does not in any way change your sin status. You have sinned. Period! All you do is to take advantage of the privillege of notification and warning. God is faithful and just. Turn ye and seek the Lord and live. Do not try to run brain boxing with God to cover up the issue. You can not win, you loose much more. God is Merciful.
we have embraced our sinful lifestyle to an extent that we do not want to hear the truth or the word of God. We know quite well deep down from our hearts that God hate a sin and want us to be pure in thoughts, words and deeds. Our shortsghtedness and our hard heartendness because of sin would not allow us to acknowledge an proclaim that we are sinners. We do not want to be reminded just like Amaziah. We are "enjoying living in the sin, and we will catch up later with the goodness that God want from us".
I thank God for the timely message. Many people get offended when they are told the truth that they have done something wrong. Its high time we realised that probation is closing and count it a blessing when corrected so that we are not closed out side the mercy door of God.
Please God help us to repent and submit to His calling!
We are all called to proclaim Gods love to all mankind.Therefore,considering that the devil is around,we should be on guard & ready for anything 2 Timothy 3:12.
However,we are all human beings and are therefore subject to fall after which we should rise up,shake the dust and proceed on.By perservering we shall win.
God is a forgiving God and He is always willing to cleanse us if we truly repent and be sorry for our sins. We are not perfect and it is thru Him that we can be forgiven and live the life He wants us to live. When we are told about our attitude I think we have to be thankful because it shows that someone cares for us by letting us know about our shortcomings.
We are called as prophets, this is a risky job. John the Baptist was beheaded for pointing out King Herod's sins. Diligently point out the sins of a brother, you may become his enemy or be ostracized. God is calling upon us to stand for righteousness despite the potential risks.
I am uneasy with this suggestion because I see nothing in Scripture to suggest that pointing out others' sins is our job. Only a few are called to be prophets, and these are to be tested.
But we are all called to be witnesses - to demonstrate the character of Christ to the world. We are commissioned to tell the good news of God's self-renouncing love for all, and we are to demonstrate that love. It was for the lack of this love that Israel was condemned. And if that love is not demonstrated in our lives, we fall under the same condemnation.
Investigative Judgement
Yes, as mentioned in this discussion, time of probation has to be considered. Probation goes along with investigative judgement, inasmuch as investigative judgement is carried out during a time of probation. Amos is shown a scene of investigative judgement. The Lord is standing beside a wall with a plumb line in His hand measuring the wall as to its straightness. Characters of individuals are being measured whether their ways are straight or crooked. Arriving at the outcome of His investigation God pronounced the verdict that He no longer would pass by them (Amos 7:7-8). Twice Amos had interceeded for Israel pleading for grace. Twice God had passed by them (Amos 7:2-3.5-6). As time of probation was closed, Amos no longer interceeded for Israel.
Kicking Amos out of the country (Amos 7:12-13), Amaziah was treading under foot the very last offer of grace that Amos had pleaded for. What lesson could be drawn? Grace and judgement, both has to be taken seriously.
Winfried Stolpmann