Contemplative Bible Reading

Amos 7:14-15 (New Living Translation)

14 But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees. 15 But the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.’

Amos was a prophet. God told things to Amos, and Amos repeated those things to the people.

In this part of the story of Amos, God showed Amos a vision and told Amos to tell the people. The vision, however, was bad. God was saying, “Here comes bad times. Go tell the people the bad news.”

No one likes to hear bad news. Some folks get down-right violent when you tell them bad news. Yes, kill the messenger who delivers unwanted messages. Amos did what God wanted. “Hey, I am not a professional,” said Amos. “I am a shepherd and orchardist. Give me a break here. I don’t know what I am doing other than repeating what God told me to repeat.”

In the face of criticism, that is an understatement, Amos repeated God’s words. Note the humility in Amos’ life. He wasn’t saying, “If you folks seek God, you will go to hell.” He is saying, “If WE all don’t seek God, WE ALL will go to hell.” Those are not the words of a professional professor. Those are the words of a sheep herder who was given words from God. And sometimes it isn’t good to be given such a burden.