One More Sermon

Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land. Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court. Amos 7:10-13

At this point in the history of the divided kingdom of Israel, both the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom were enjoying political and economic success. The Prophet Hosea was crying out against Israel’s apostasy and rejection of God’s love and the Prophet Isaiah was crying out against religious issues in Judah. It was at this time that God raised up Amos in Judah to go and prophesy against Israel. This was different. God had previously used residents of the region to prophesy to the Jews. Amos began his prophecy by denouncing Israel’s enemies and declaring that God was going to judge them for their crimes against Israel. This undoubtedly pleased Israel. Then Amos pronounced God’s judgment because of Judah’s transgressions. Finally, the word of the Lord through Amos turned to Israel. The details of the impending judgment against Israel did not bode well and the chief priest in Israel took offense at the words of the prophet.

I. Amos
a. Resident of the Southern Kingdom of Judah
b. Sent by God to Prophesy against the Northern Kingdom of Israel
c. Prophesied at Bethel (translated: House of God)

II. Amaziah
a. The Chief Priest of Israel at Bethel
b. Rejected Amos’ Prophecy
c. Accused Amos of Treason against King Jeroboam
d. Demanded that Amos leave Israel

III. Amos’ Sermon
a. Personal Testimony
i. He was not a Prophet
ii. He was not the Son of a Prophet
iii. He was a Country Farmer doing God’s Will
b. He was God Called and God Sent
i. God came to Him (Amos was not seeking this assignment.)
ii. God called Him away from his work as a Shepherd
iii. God sent Him to Israel
c. The Message
i. The King will be Killed
ii. Israel will be taken into Exile by a Foreign Nation
iii. God demands Social Justice along with Righteousness

When Israel strayed from God’s plan for their government, they ended up with a three-pronged leadership model. The leaders included the king (often chosen by the people), the high priest (often chosen or controlled by the king), and the prophet that God would raise up to rebuke the first two and prophesy to the people. Although the chief priest, Amaziah, conspired with King Jeroboam to expel Amos from Israel, Amos, however, was not going to leave until he finished what God sent him to do. Amos had one more sermon for them and it was not good. Amos is a reminder that God always has the last word concerning a matter. If a situation seems to be hopeless, God has one more sermon to restore hope. If it seems that someone is going to get their own way, God has one more sermon to rebuke the backslider. If a sinner has never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, God has one more sermon that they can either accept or reject. No matter the situation or the persons involved, God always has one more sermon.


Robert C. Hudson
April 19, 2009