Amos was not a professional prophet, nor did he grow up in a prophet’s home. His profession was agriculture, a shepherd who also cared for an orchard of sycamore-fig trees. He didn’t seek becoming a prophet. He was enlisted by God and commissioned to go and prophesy to Israel.
According to Amos 7, verses 10-13, the priest Amaziah opposed him, sending a message to the king, Jeroboam, accusing Amos of conspiring against him and his people. Then he confronted Amos, saying, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. Don’t prophesy here anymore. This is the king’s sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom.” What he implied was, “The king calls the shots around here.”
An impact thought developed in my mind in the form of a question: “Who calls the shots in your life?” Do you call them? Are you beholden to others? Or is God in charge? For Amos, God called the shots, wherever he was. Even in the face of fierce opposition he obeyed God, boldly declaring God’s warning. He confronted evil fearlessly, and called for repentance. Sadly, the people of Israel didn’t listen nor repent. They didn’t follow his lead and suffered the consequences.
Take heed to the message of this book. Be wise and follow Amos’ example. Put positively, the Impact thought is: Let God call the shots in your life.