Amos I

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/amosimp3/" target="_blank"><strong>website.</strong></a></p><p><strong>(7:1-9) Locust, fire, and plumb</strong></p><ul><li>Locust and fire<ul><li>These are the worst enemies of agriculture!</li><li>Some in Jerusalem still remember the locust plagues of 1865 and 1915<strong>.</strong></li><li>After the king’s mowing (v.1), then locust decimation, there would be nothing left!</li><li>Fire: 1:4,7,10,12,14; 2:2,5; 5:6; also Hosea 8:14.</li></ul></li><li>Amos' reaction<ul><li>Moved, the prophet tries to prevent the visions of locusts and fire from coming true.</li><li>Parallels in Numbers 14:11-23, 16:43-50 (see also Exodus 32:7-14,32).</li></ul></li><li>Yet the threat of the next vision cannot be thwarted.<ul><li>Israel has been measured and found wanting, or out of kilter. "The wall of Israel’s political and spiritual life is tilted beyond repair!"</li><li>High places/sanctuaries were being used for idolatry.</li><li>"Pass by" (v.7) recalls the forgiveness of Passover.</li><li>Nevertheless, though the vision is correct -- and will certainly come true -- it is politically unpopular. Official opposition comes from the priest of Bethel, Amaziah.</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Official opposition (7:10-17)</strong></p><ul><li>Those who speak the truth will be opposed, and this is all the more true of those who speak truth to power (2 Timothy 3:12 [Luke 6:22-23,26].)</li><li>7:13 – Amaziah (high priest of Bethel) claims authority to dismiss Amos. Amaziah implies Amos has threatened the king.</li><li>7:14 – Amos is not a professional prophet.<ul><li>Prophets were paid for their work.</li><li>Amos insists that he'd had a perfectly good living without having to moonlight as a prophet.</li><li>He was not in it for the money!</li></ul></li><li>Parallels<ul><li>Conflict between prophet and priest || Jeremiah 26, 28.</li><li>Opposition from the establishment, and from the high priest in particular, similar to what happened to Jesus.</