Fearless to Speak the Word

What does it take to be a prophet? Amos is a case study as he declares God's word to the slumbering nation of Israel. 

A prophet must be willing to hold people to account for the terms they have broken with the Lord. 

Amos 3:1–2 (ESV) Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt: 2 “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

Amos calls out Israel's failure as God's chosen. They had an exclusive relationship with the Lord. And their relationship and knowledge of the Lord required extraordinary faithfulness and loyalty. They were to live according to the New Testament principle, to whom much is given, much is required. Many talk of the privileges that are ours in the Lord, but what about the responsibilities?

The Lord asks:

Amos 3:3 (ESV) “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?

Israel was in a Covenant with Yahweh. They agreed with Moses at the mountain to do all that the Lord commanded. Yet they abandoned the Lord and instead sought the favor of the dead and useless gods of the nations around them.

He follows with a series of illustrative questions that God has intended to bring judgment. 

Amos 3:4–6 (ESV) Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing? 5 Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing? 6 Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it?

Amos here is substantiating his calling. He was a shepherd whom the Lord raised up to prophesy. Many doubted his call, but Amos is clear, this is not his own prerogative, but the Lord's move upon his life. 

Amos 3:7 (ESV) “For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.

The skepticism toward Amos was real, but it did not deter this mighty man of God. He prophesied because God had indeed called him and revealed things to him that he could not keep within himself. And this is what it takes to be a prophet. First and foremost, the Lord must so move upon their heart that they cannot help but say something.

Amos 3:8 (ESV) The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?”

Amos was given the word of the Lord, and that word compelled him to stand up and share it. Amos enjoyed special friendship and intimacy with the Lord, knowing His thoughts about the nation. But that knowledge demanded action, and the action to speak! Amos was up for the task as he delivered timely messages that were not friendly but rather serious warnings. 

Psalm 25:14 (ESV) The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them His covenant.

So Amos shared what God had given Him. Words that the nation would not want to hear but needed to hear. 

Amos 3:12–15 (ESV) Thus says the LORD: “As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel who dwell in Samaria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part of a bed. 13 “Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob,” declares the Lord GOD, the God of hosts, 14 “that on the day I punish Israel for his transgressions, I will punish the altars of Bethel, and the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground. 15 I will strike the winter house along with the summer house, and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall come to an end,” declares the LORD.

From these words, we get a glimpse of the comfort and riches of Israel. They owned summer and winter homes, as well as ivory palaces - all symbols of great wealth. In many ways, this wealth blinded the nation to its spiritual poverty. Amos is not afraid to call them out on it. 

Lord, give us prophets who will do the same today. Lord, make me willing to be an Amos!