Amos is Threatened

By Mary Vee
Amos 7

From the Journals of Amaziah, Prophet of Israel

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I am the priest of Israel. I must admit that I am quite upset about the news I've heard. There is a shepherd living near Bethlehem named Amos who is causing trouble.

I and the other priests of Israel have set up the ceremonies and ways for our people to worship God. We had everything under control with the people doing everything we asked.

Now this man, Amos claims the people are not really worshipping God. Hah! What does he know? 

I cannot allow his words to stop what the other priests and I have set up. I drafted a message to Jeroboam, king of Israel. "Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words. This is what he is saying:

Jeroboam will die by the sword and Israel will surely go into exile, away from their native land.

I immediate took my cloak, journeyed to Bethel, and searched for Amos. Maybe I can talk him into putting a stop to his crazy messages that he claims are coming from God.

I found him in a pasture and called out. "Amos. I need to speak with you."

Amos turned to my voice and stepped toward me. "What have you to say, Amaziah?"

I raised my walking stick toward him, "Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. Don't prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king's sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom."

Amos didn't look threatened by my words. He remained standing tall and said, "I was neither a prophet nor a prophet's son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and told me to 'Go prophesy to my people Israel.' 

"Now, Amaziah, listen to the word of the Lord. You say to me, 'Do not prophesy against Israel, and stop preaching against the house of Isaac.' 

"Therefore this is what the Lord says: 'Your wife will leave you and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be measured and divided up, and Israel will certainly go into exile, away from their native land."

I turned and walked away. Not willing to listen to Amos. I am the one in charge, not him.

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1. Who was Amaziah?
2. Why was Amaziah angry?
3. Who did Amaziah go to see and what did he tell him?
4. Did Amos feel threatened by Amaziah?
5. Did Amos back down with his message from the Lord when Amaziah visited?
6. What will happen to Israel?