Amos

The first couple of chapters in the book of Amos make up one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It’s not really my favorite passage because it conveys deep spiritual truths (at least not in and of itself), but because I can imagine the reaction that the text (or the voice of Amos) would receive when presented to the Israelite people.

Amos’ job, being a prophet, was not to bring comfort or stability to the Israelite people, it was his job to stir up the people and show them how they had departed from Yahweh. It was his job to stand up and shout “Hey, you are doing it all wrong, return to the LORD!”

In the very opening section of the book, Amos really lays into Israel’s enemies, talking about each of Israel’s neighbors, Amos says the word of the LORD: “For three transgressions and for four, I will not revoke the punishment” and then proceeds to explain why each country is receiving punishment and what that punishment will be.

Six times, with six different countries that are enemies to Israel Amos outlines their foibles and their punishments. Saying over and over again “for three transgressions and for four”. One can imagine the speech, given in a strong voice. The Israelites are getting whipped into a frenzy, thinking to themselves “YES! Those people are scum, we hate them, we can’t wait to see their punishment!” Then Amos turns the screw a little tighter, Judah, Israel’s long lost brother, now being a strenuous relationship between them due to political circumstances is under attack.

At this point, the crowd must have been shouting their assent, they were finally able to see that all of their enemies were going to be punished because their enemies did not follow the LORD, but then the hammer falls, all the wind leaves their sails, and they are horrified. Amos says “For three transgressions of Israel” One can imagine the crowd immediately becoming silent with fear and hurt, knowing that soon their offenses to God and their punishment will be revealed.

The prophet Amos had stirred up the people, shown them their faults and called them back to God, but the way he did it was amazing, a verbal trap, designed to ensnare the listener to hear the word of the LORD.

So what’s the point? Well, I’ve often thought that Amos was applicable to the Church on many occasions, I encourage us to not simply point fingers and those around us and say “look how they don’t follow the Lord”, but to also be active in self examination so that we are not caught off guard by a prophet bringing God’s word to us about our own faults. The Israelites problem was that they were greedy with their money, and they didn’t take care of the poor and the helpless, in fact, they cheated them. Do we have things that we need to work on, Do we have transgressions?

I've always like Amos, he uses such a great rhetorical device, craftily ensnaring his listeners into his speech, opening them up their hearts for critical damage. The change in the crowd is almost palpable in the text int he transition from 2:5 to 2:6. I've always thought that this text would preach extremely well, but then, it would be a risky sermon to preach as well, probably leading to a quick dismissal. The prophet's life is much different than that of the Priest. On the other hand, we have lost the voice of the prophet in many of our Church communities, and with it have often lost the voice that calls us back to the LORD.
What role should the minister in a Church play.. Prophet, or priest, one who holds to tradition and ensures that the community of God stays safe, and within God's arms, or one who stands up and shouts when tradition, and accepted practices are exactly what is driving the community away from the LORD? Can one be both?