Amos Had it Rough

I started reading through and studying the book of Amos today using a commentary given to me for Christmas by a friend from Cornerstone. Day One of the study was fascinating. Here are some thoughts.

The Old Testament prophet Amos was a simple, lowly shepherd when God called him into full time prophetic ministry. He was called, in part, to preach to Judah, a very wealthy nation who was enjoying financial and territorial abundance. In the midst of this surplus, the poor were being trampled on by the rich and religion (in a good sense) was turning into ritual as the people of Judah decided to ignore the command of God to only offer sacrifices in Jerusalem and chose instead to worship in places that were more travel friendly and politically conducive.

I wish I could go into more historical detail but I don't have the time, so I will get to the point. Amos is called to preach repentance and judgment to these people and in 7:10-13 he meets the following warm reception from a church guy named Amaziah: his message is misrepresented before the king, he is advised that to return home and preach there will be a better decision for him socially and financially, and he is told that he's in the king's territory and he should remember who's boss.

Ouch.

Amos then has the joy of speaking these words (7:15-17) of warmth and comfort to the man who has opposed him: I was minding my own business being a farmer and shepherd and then God called me to preach this message to you and since you have rejected it, your wife is going to leave you and become a city prostitute, your kids are going to be murdered, you're going to lose all your land, you yourself will die in a foreign nation, and Israel is going to be taken captive.

Somehow the glorious, cool, trendy calling to full time ministry took on a whole new feel.

* Is there a seminary class on, "How to tell a guy, 'Your wife is going to leave you and become a prostitute?'"