Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent a message of concern to King Jeroboam that Amos was a real troublemaker. Amaziah couldn’t bear to hear the truth of God’s word, that King Jeroboam would die by the sword and that Israel would be taken into exile. So Amaziah told Amos to shut his mouth and leave Israel. He told him to go back to his home country, Judah from where he could say anything he wanted. People get very upset when they hear things they don’t like, even if they are true! We should humble ourselves and always be willing to listen to God’s servants, especially when saying something we may not like! It may be God’s message.

Amos testified to God’s call of him. He was a shepherd and tree-carer from Judah. But God called him out of his comfortable life to one of being a shepherd in a foreign land. What Amaziah said to Amos denied God’s call to Amos. So, God would judge Amaziah. His wife would become a prostitute and his children would die by the sword. He, along with Israel, would go into exile, where Amaziah would die. Amos was faithful to God’s calling. We should be too!
Application: Father, thank you for sending your servants to give us your word. Help us to be humble, with open hearts and ears to listen to you. And help us to speak your word to others, even when it is not easy.
One Word: Listen to the one God sends.