The desert is a place for secrets, and it’s a lonely place where a man learns to read the souls of men—when he meets them.”
–Zane Grey (Wanderer of the Wasteland)
For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the Lord gave to Israel through Moses. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart!”
–1 Chronicles 22:13 (NLT)
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“The words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders from Tekoa… The LORD roars from Zion…”
–Amos 1:1-2 (NASB)
Last week I wrote one day about knowing and doing God’s will. It is simply obedience. My Pastor and I briefly discussed the topic on Sunday after church and he said that God’s will comes in installments. I like that. For sure there are some requirements to knowing God’s will. The first is obedience to what we already know; in other words, obedience to the Word of God. Second is preparation. We must prepare ourselves to the best of our ability. I used to teach a unit on “Reading as Worship.” We must read widely in many areas, and specifically in areas of our career and in Biblical studies, and most of all read the Bible. We should take our education seriously, for knowledge is a prerequisite for obedience. Finally, we must be ready to act. Readiness is then putting all of it together–the need is there, the call is there, the willingness is there.
With that I want to draw your attention to Amos. For the last three weeks I have felt the urging to study Amos. Years ago, in seminary I took a course in the Minor Prophets and since that time I have had the opportunity to teach on the subject a few times. So, off and on, for the next few weeks I want to look at this prophet and his message. We must keep in mind when studying any of the Prophets three major things: 1) the historical contemporalnuity, what does it mean in the context of the time period; 2) the covenant background; 3) the eschatological arguments which includes meanings for our day.
Amos was not your “normal” prophet (whatever that was). He filled this office for only two years, as far as we know. In fact, he denies any professional status of a prophet. Most scholars today believe that although probably once a shepherd, he was now the owner or manager of a sheep business. The word used for shepherd in (1:1) is not the common word for shepherd, but for one who owned flocks of sheep. He was also involved in the growing and harvesting of figs, and many believe he was also a cattleman: “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.” (7:14)
Here we see a busy man, a man loaded with responsibility, yet he heard the voice of God and obeyed. He must have been “a God-sensitive person.” (Lloyd Ogilvie). Most likely one who had an intimate, personal relationship with God. Perhaps during one of his prayer times God spoke to him, or maybe it was in the midst of a busy day that God interrupted his schedule. In either scenario, Amos heard, listened, and obeyed.
In reading Amos, his character is clearly seen. He was first of all a plain man of God, not pretentious at all. We see in his life and message that he was blunt, direct, courageous, and dynamic; he had a keen resentment against social wrongs. In describing Amos, we can easily see he was deeply religious with a sharp insight into the deeper things of God. Luxury, extravagance, and immorality were red flags in his face. Kyle Yates expressed this about Amos, “He knew God, was certain of his call, felt the hand of God constantly upon him, and had no fear of any living person.”
Amos came from Tekoa, situated in southern Judah, which was both a village and a territory. It was a rugged land that dropped to the Dead Sea. One writer said it was a “waste and howling wilderness.” Ogilvie describes it as a “bleak area, a wasteland and wilderness.” It ranged widely in elevation from 2700 feet to a thousand feet below sea level. George Adam Smith writes, “The desert is always in the face of the prophets, and its howling of beasts and dry sand blow mournfully across their pages the forboding of doom.”
It was from this land the prophet–the man–Amos emerged into prominence with his prophecy, and just as suddenly went back to the hidden realm of everyday living. He was “A man of obedience to the divine call and resolute courage in the face of opposition.” (Peter C. Craigie) A man who acted upon the voice of God in obedience, ready to do His bidding.
————————————
“The words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders from Tekoa… The LORD roars from Zion…”
–Amos 1:1-2 (NASB)
Last week I wrote one day about knowing and doing God’s will. It is simply obedience. My Pastor and I briefly discussed the topic on Sunday after church and he said that God’s will comes in installments. I like that. For sure there are some requirements to knowing God’s will. The first is obedience to what we already know; in other words, obedience to the Word of God. Second is preparation. We must prepare ourselves to the best of our ability. I used to teach a unit on “Reading as Worship.” We must read widely in many areas, and specifically in areas of our career and in Biblical studies, and most of all read the Bible. We should take our education seriously, for knowledge is a prerequisite for obedience. Finally, we must be ready to act. Readiness is then putting all of it together–the need is there, the call is there, the willingness is there.
With that I want to draw your attention to Amos. For the last three weeks I have felt the urging to study Amos. Years ago, in seminary I took a course in the Minor Prophets and since that time I have had the opportunity to teach on the subject a few times. So, off and on, for the next few weeks I want to look at this prophet and his message. We must keep in mind when studying any of the Prophets three major things: 1) the historical contemporalnuity, what does it mean in the context of the time period; 2) the covenant background; 3) the eschatological arguments which includes meanings for our day.
Amos was not your “normal” prophet (whatever that was). He filled this office for only two years, as far as we know. In fact, he denies any professional status of a prophet. Most scholars today believe that although probably once a shepherd, he was now the owner or manager of a sheep business. The word used for shepherd in (1:1) is not the common word for shepherd, but for one who owned flocks of sheep. He was also involved in the growing and harvesting of figs, and many believe he was also a cattleman: “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.” (7:14)
Here we see a busy man, a man loaded with responsibility, yet he heard the voice of God and obeyed. He must have been “a God-sensitive person.” (Lloyd Ogilvie). Most likely one who had an intimate, personal relationship with God. Perhaps during one of his prayer times God spoke to him, or maybe it was in the midst of a busy day that God interrupted his schedule. In either scenario, Amos heard, listened, and obeyed.
In reading Amos, his character is clearly seen. He was first of all a plain man of God, not pretentious at all. We see in his life and message that he was blunt, direct, courageous, and dynamic; he had a keen resentment against social wrongs. In describing Amos, we can easily see he was deeply religious with a sharp insight into the deeper things of God. Luxury, extravagance, and immorality were red flags in his face. Kyle Yates expressed this about Amos, “He knew God, was certain of his call, felt the hand of God constantly upon him, and had no fear of any living person.”
Amos came from Tekoa, situated in southern Judah, which was both a village and a territory. It was a rugged land that dropped to the Dead Sea. One writer said it was a “waste and howling wilderness.” Ogilvie describes it as a “bleak area, a wasteland and wilderness.” It ranged widely in elevation from 2700 feet to a thousand feet below sea level. George Adam Smith writes, “The desert is always in the face of the prophets, and its howling of beasts and dry sand blow mournfully across their pages the forboding of doom.”
It was from this land the prophet–the man–Amos emerged into prominence with his prophecy, and just as suddenly went back to the hidden realm of everyday living. He was “A man of obedience to the divine call and resolute courage in the face of opposition.” (Peter C. Craigie) A man who acted upon the voice of God in obedience, ready to do His bidding.