Scripture Passage
Amos 7-9:15; 2 Kings 14:28-29; 2 Kings 15:8-29; 2 Kings 15:6-7; 2 Chronicles 26:22-23; Isaiah 6:1-13
Then I said, “O Sovereign LORD, please forgive us or we will not survive, for Israel is so small.” (Amos 7:2 NLT)
Then I said, “O Sovereign LORD, please stop or we will not survive, for Israel is so small.” (Amos 7:5 NLT)
Observation
I commented yesterday on the “less than refined” approach to ministry embraced by Amos, the crusty shepherd-become-prophet of God. In contemporary nomenclature, he seems a no-holds-barred, hellfire-and-brimstone kind of guy. But today’s reading—closing out the book of Amos—gives a fuller perspective. I’m particularly taken by the opening verses of chapter 7.
In two separate visions, Amos has seen dire destruction coming upon Israel, first, as a “vast swarm of locusts over the land” (Amos 7:1) and second, as a “great fire…devouring the entire land” (Amos 7:4). In both cases, Amos’ response is to passionately cry out to God for mercy on Israel’s behalf. I’m not sure that’s the response I might have expected from one who spoke so harshly to so indifferent a people.
As the story goes…
A certain congregation hosted two candidates for the office of pastor on two consecutive Sundays. Both candidates preached on the topic of hell. The second candidate was voted in.
When asked what made the difference—why the second candidate was chosen over the first—one member responded, “When the first candidate preached on hell, it was like he was happy to see it happen. With the second, it was like he was brokenhearted that we might possibly go!”
“Lord, give me a heart more like Amos’ heart—always willing to live and speak your truth, but never in self-righteousness. Instead, give me a heart that breaks over the tragic fallout that results when people live distant from You.”
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