1 Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, [it was] the latter growth after the king’s mowings.
2 And it came to pass, [that] when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he [is] small.
3 The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.
4 Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part.
5 Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he [is] small.
6 The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.
7 Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall [made] by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.
8 And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:
9 And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.
11 For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land.
12 Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:
13 But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it [is] the king’s chapel, and it [is] the king’s court.
14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I [was] no prophet, neither [was] I a prophet’s son; but I [was] an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:
15 And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
16 Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not [thy word] against the house of Isaac.
17 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.
Overview of Amos Chapter 7
Amos Chapter 7 presents a vivid portrayal of the prophet Amos’s experiences and visions as he delivers God’s messages to the people of Israel. This chapter highlights the themes of judgment, divine authority, and the resistance faced by prophets in their mission. It consists of a series of visions and a confrontation between Amos and Amaziah, the priest of Bethel.
Structure of the Chapter
The chapter can be divided into three main sections:
- Visions of Judgment (Verses 1-6)
- Confrontation with Amaziah (Verses 7-13)
- Prophecy Against Amaziah (Verses 14-17)
Visions of Judgment (Verses 1-6)
In this section, Amos recounts two distinct visions that symbolize God’s impending judgment on Israel:
- Vision of the Locusts (Verse 1-2): Amos sees a swarm of locusts devouring the crops of the land. This vision represents the devastation that will come upon Israel due to their sins. Amos pleads with God to spare the people, and God relents.
- Vision of Fire (Verse 4-6): Amos then sees a vision of fire consuming the land. Again, he intercedes for Israel, and God shows mercy, indicating that He will not carry out the full extent of His judgment.
These visions illustrate God’s willingness to listen to the pleas of His prophet, showcasing His mercy even in the face of impending judgment.
Confrontation with Amaziah (Verses 7-13)
This section depicts a direct confrontation between Amos and Amaziah, the priest of Bethel:
- Amaziah’s Accusation (Verse 10): Amaziah accuses Amos of conspiracy against the king and tells him to flee to Judah, implying that his prophecies are unwelcome and dangerous.
- Amos’s Response (Verses 14-15): Amos defends his position by stating that he is not a professional prophet but a shepherd called by God to deliver His message. This emphasizes the authenticity of his prophetic calling.
- Amaziah’s Rejection (Verse 13): Amaziah commands Amos to stop prophesying at Bethel, demonstrating the resistance faced by prophets who challenge the status quo.
Prophecy Against Amaziah (Verses 14-17)
In the final section, Amos delivers a specific prophecy against Amaziah:
- Judgment on Amaziah (Verses 16-17): Amos foretells the downfall of Amaziah’s family and the destruction of the land. This prophecy serves as a warning of the consequences of opposing God’s message.
- The Role of the Prophet (Verse 14): Amos emphasizes that he was called by God, reinforcing the idea that true prophets are chosen by divine authority, not by human institutions.
Thematic Analysis
Several key themes emerge from Amos Chapter 7:
- Divine Judgment: The visions serve as a stark reminder of God’s judgment on Israel for their transgressions.
- Intercession and Mercy: Amos’s pleas to God highlight the tension between judgment and mercy, demonstrating God’s willingness to relent when confronted with sincere intercession.
- Resistance to Prophecy: The confrontation with Amaziah illustrates the challenges faced by prophets, particularly when their messages threaten the established order.
- Authenticity of Prophetic Call: Amos’s assertion of his identity as a shepherd called by God underscores the idea that divine authority supersedes human institutions.
Conclusion
Amos Chapter 7 encapsulates the struggle of a prophet delivering a difficult message in the face of opposition. It serves as a powerful reminder of God’s judgment, the importance of intercession, and the challenges faced by those who speak truth to power. The chapter invites readers to reflect on their own responses to divine messages and the implications of their actions in relation to God’s will.
