For evil to stay away, good men must continue to do what is right, even when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable or difficult.”
–B. N. Rundell (Black Hawk)
“So the Lord’s message spread and became even more powerful.”
–Acts 19:20 (CEV)
———————————
The prophetic visions of Amos were interrupted by the priest of Bethel. Amaziah was determined to get rid of Amos. Albert Garner writes that he became “all shook up” or “became completely unglued.”
7.10 — Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words.
.11 — For thus Amos has said: ‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive from their own land.'”
.12 — Then Amaziah said to Amos: “God, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat bread, and there prophesy.
.13 — But never agains prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is the royal residence.” (NKJV)
Amaziah, the priest, didn’t care for the message and warning from the prophet. He told Jeroboam that the message is stirring the people to a dangerous state, one of conspiracy and revolt, adding to the prophet’s words that Jeroboam would be slain by the sword. Someone said, “The bite of Amos’ condemnation of the sins of Israel’s people was in the truth of his words.” The wickedness of Amaziah’s heart is revealed in his rebuke to Amos. Warren Wiersbe states, “He [Amaziah] claimed that there is no validity to Amos’ message; he only dreamed it up.” Lloyd Ogilvie puts it this way, “Strong words from a power-hungry priest who did not know Yahweh.”
Amaziah was telling Amos to go back to Judah, flee, as in a cowardly manner. Earn your living there and preach there. Do not come to Bethel again; do not disturb the king. But if sin is present it is the duty of the prophet to disturb the king, and the people. Amaziah did not want God’s truth and demands for righteousness proclaimed in Israel (Ogilvie). Was Amaziah that ignorant, or was he deceived by his own pride and wealth and fame? Matthew Henry states, “How willing wicked men are to get clear of their faithful reprovers.” Amos was a problem to Amaziah, but not as big a one that will come forth from the prophet’s lips.
.14 — Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: “I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheepbreeder and a tender of sycamore fruit.
.15 — Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’
.16 — Now therefore, hear the word of the LORD: You say, ‘Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not spout against the house of Isaac.’
.17 — Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Your wife shall be a harlot in the city; your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword; your land shall be divided by survey line; you shall die in a defiled land; and Israel shall surely be led away captive from his own land.'” (NKJV)
As Albert Garner writes, “As well tell the wind to blow no more, command the rain not to fall, or water to run up hill, as to tell a true man of God not to prophesy or witness anymore.” Amos was not intimidated by the priest, nor did he flee, but instead he turned his attention to the priest. He told the priest, “I was not a prophet” indicating that he was not a professional religionist who wanted to rival Amaziah. He then gives his credentials and adds, “the LORD took me.” What could he do if the Lord took him, but answer the call of God? He was prophesying in Bethel for one reason–God sent him. Amos’ commission and accountability is from God.
He confronts Amaziah, now with a prophetic word to him telling him of the judgment that would befall him. Look at what will happen to Amaziah because of his wickedness and apostasy: 1) lose his property; 2) he would go into exile, a “defiled land” meaning a land of pagans and thus ruining his credentials as a priest; 3) sons and daughters would be slain by the sword, most likely that of the Assyrians; 4) his wife shall become a prostitute. Imagine the wife of the priest now in that role either because of the Assyrian soldiers or from a life of destitution. “Amaziah had position, wealth, authority, and reputation, but Amos had the word of the Lord.” (Wiersbe)
Here we see that Amaziah seeks to stop the messenger from God. Man may attempt and even succeed briefly in stopping the messenger, but they cannot stop the message. God’s word will prevail. Never forget our job in proclaiming the message of the Lord to those around us. It may not be by prophetic word, but simply living a life of righteousness before others. “We are called to be saints in plumb with a new commitment to pray for opportunities to practice our gift of righteousness.” (Ogilvie)