Amos 1 (1)

Pray Psalm 62.5-8.
My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.
Selah

Sing Psalm 62.5-8.
(Germany: Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness)
My soul in silence waits, O LORD, hoping in You and in Your Word.
You are my Rock, my Stronghold true, and my Salvation, LORD are You!

On You my hope and glory rest, Rock of my strength and Refuge best!
Trust always in our God, the LORD; take refuge only in His Word.

Read Amos 1.1, 2; meditate on Amos 7.14, 15.

Preparation
1. How did Amos become a prophet?

2. What did God tell him to do?

Meditation
Amos was not the first shepherd to be called into service for the Word of the Lord. God reminded David, “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel” (2 Samuel 7.8). It’s interesting to note the verb God used here: “took” rather than “called”. Amos used the same verb in 7.15 to refer to his calling. This verb gets at the irresistible nature of the call of God: When God calls, He will take you where He will, to serve Him as He leads. Jonah might have thought that, having heard the call of God, he could avoid it. But God “took” him to Nineveh in spite of himself. Neither David nor Amos had the proper credentials for their calling. But God took care of that, giving each just what they needed to fulfill His appointed work.

The word “saw” is חָזָ֨ה chazah, (v. 1) and means to see with the eyes. God must have shown Amos a vision of his calling, what he was to do and say, so that his mission was clear from the start. His mission and message were “concerning Israel” and he made it clear that his proclamation did not come from the humble folks of Tekoa but, as it were, from Zion and Jerusalem, that is, from the dwelling place of God (v. 2). What he had to say was as the roaring of a lion, not the bleating of sheep. God had called, sent, and equipped Amos for his work, just as He does each of us whom He calls to His Kingdom and glory and sends to our world as His witnesses (1 Thess. 2.12; Acts 1.8).

The land of Israel was dried up and withered with sin, as suggested by the mourning pastures and the top of Carmel, which was normally lush and verdant. Carmel was also where Elijah called down the judgment of God against the pagan prophets of Israel, when Carmel “withered” under the fire of God (1 Kgs. 18.20ff.). Its mention here foreshadowed the rest of what Amos would proclaim.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“And Enoch walked with God; and he was not,
for God took him” (Gen. 5.24). Taken by God.

And the aforementioned Elijah? The same thing: “…suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them [Elijah and Elisha]; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kgs. 2.11). Taken by God.

When God desires something, it is done. Lickety-split.
“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6.10).

So, when God says, “I have called you by your name; you are Mine” (Is. 43.1) He means just that.

Called…taken…for life and in death. Taken by God.

Upper rooms, small horses, disciples, and prophets were taken in the same vein: “…as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, ‘Why are you loosing the colt?’ And they said, ‘The Lord has need of him.’ Then they brought him to Jesus” (Lk. 19.33-35). Taken for God.

“And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, “The Teacher says, ‘Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’” Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us” (Mk. 14.13-15). Taken for God.

“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him” (Matt. 9.9). Taken by God.

“I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheep breeder and a tender of sycamore fruit. Then the LORD took me…” (Amos 7.14, 15). Taken by God.

Don’t ever think God’s taking of you was a “mistook”.
He never makes a mistake. We too, are taken by God.

But, as “Taken Ones” like Enoch, Elijah, the colt, the upper room, Matthew, and Amos, we must also courageously roar from our vantage point, “Hear the word of the LORD”!

Reflection
1. God has taken every one of us. Where has He taken you? What is your calling?

2. What vision for serving Him has God given you? What are your goals? What outcomes do you seek in your calling?

3. How do you prepare each day to take up your calling?

Amos was a herdsman, and engaged in agriculture. But the same Divine Spirit influenced Isaiah and Daniel in the court, and Amos in the sheep-folds, giving to each the powers and eloquence needful for them. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Amos 1.1, 2

Pray Psalm 62.9-12.
Thank God for speaking to You in His Word. What have you heard from Him for today? Commit your day to the work God has appointed to you, and call on Him for mercy and grace to help in your times of need.

Sing Psalm 62.9-12.
(Germany: Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness)
Trust not in men of low degree; lighter are they than breath shall be.
Do not rely on strength or gold; trust in the LORD, Who rules from old.

Once God has spoken, twice I have heard: Power belongs alone to the LORD!
And lovingkindness, LORD, is Yours; You recompense us for our works.

T. M. and Susie Moore

If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.