13/05/2011 - The sheep breeder who prophesied

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“The words of Amos, who was among the sheep breeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.” (Amos 1:1)
It would be so good if what Amos said about himself were be imitated by all of us. While many people want to be acknowledged as being “the best”, that servant of God was determined to state that he wasn’t either a prophet or a disciple of any prophet, he was a sheep breeder and a tender of sycamore fruit (Amos 7:14), which is a type of fig tree. He said that the Lord had taken him out of sheep breeding and told him to prophesy. God chooses whoever He wishes, no matter what career they might have. The chosen ones must always give glory to the One who called them.
That sheep breeder’s loyalty was remarkable throughout his whole ministry. Almost all the time he referred to what the Most High showed him by saying: “Thus says the Lord” (Amos 1:3). And that is what all those who really want to use their ministry to serve God must do – those whose main goal isn’t to serve their own purposes. The servants of the Lord are expected to give Him all glory and honor.
Amos proved to be faithful to The One who called him and sent him as a watchman of the Heavens. Those were tough times. And he might’ve known Prophets Elijah and Jonah who were elderly men by then. He spread his prophecies without minding the risk he was taking by opening his mouth. As a loyal servant, he did what he was told. All servants of the Most High must follow suit. Those who aren’t loyal and faithful will surely regret it but then it will be too late.
That Prophet knew very well that the Lord’s range of operation is unlimited; He operates anywhere, both in the Heavens and in hell (Amos 9:2-6). Every servant of God must be aware of that. No
matter what might be attempting to hinder God’s people, nothing can prevent Him from fulfilling His will (Isaiah 43:13).
Amos was used to spread the news that there would come a day when people would hunger for the Word of God (Amos 8:11). So, they’d wander from sea to sea in search of the food from the Heavens and they wouldn’t find it (verses 11 and 12). Even the “fair virgins and the strong young men” would faint from spiritual thirst (verse 13). So, those who trust in idols and swear by them will fall and won’t rise again (verse 14). The worship of idols does not only refer to worshiping carved images, but everything that’s taking the place that should only be occupied by the Lord (Matthew 22:37). Unfortunately, even humans are being idolized at our churches today.
Amos was used to show that God rules even over nature, and it’s not by chance that it rains in a specific region but not in another (Amos 9). He also pointed out that everything bad might happen to those who aren’t hand in hand with the Lord. All sorts of plagues appear with the authorization of the Heavens, and that teaches us a lesson which says that we need to make amends with our God (Amos 8:8-14).
As Amos was exercising his ministry, he was accused by Amaziah, a religious leader of Bethel, of conspiring against king Jeroboam II (Amos 7:10-13). Yet, Amos spoke of what the Lord had told him, that’s why the Lord commissioned him to be His herald. The servants of the Almighty God are expected to obey what the Most High commands, without paying any notice to the price they’ll have to pay. This is the task of all those who decide to obey the calling of our Master.
My prayer is for you to strictly fulfil your ministry (II Timothy 4:5).
In Christ, with love,
R. R. Soares