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Focus Text: Amos 4.1-5

One of the important but often misunderstood facets of biblical inspiration is that God used the personalities and vocabulary of His prophets in delivering His word. By paying attention to the approach and language a prophet takes to a particular situation, one can gain insight into the prophet’s personality and character. By reading these clues, one does not have to be a super detective to learn that a couple of Amos’ strong points were his candor and his passion. We will note some passages which bear out these observations and then make an application.

“Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, Who oppress the poor, Who crush the needy, Who say to your husbands, ‘Bring wine, let us drink’ The Lord GOD has sworn by His holiness: ‘Behold, the days shall come upon you When He will take you away with fishhooks, And your posterity with fishhooks. You will go out through broken walls, Each one straight ahead of her, And you will be cast into Harmon,’ Says the LORD. ‘Come to Bethel and transgress, At Gilgal multiply transgression; Bring your sacrifices every morning, Your tithes every three days. Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, Proclaim and announce the freewill offerings; For this you love, You children of Israel!’ Says the Lord GOD.” (Amos 4.1-5). Amos’ readers were not literal cows; they just exhibited some of the characteristics of cows! Amos pulled no punches in his ministry!

Another example of Amos’ style follows: “Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, And trust in Mount Samaria, Notable persons in the chief nation, To whom the house of Israel comes! Go over to Calneh and see; And from there go to Hamath the great; Then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory greater than your territory? Woe to you who put far off the day of doom, Who cause the seat of violence to come near; Who lie on beds of ivory, Stretch out on your couches, Eat lambs from the flock And calves from the midst of the stall; Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments, And invent for yourselves musical instruments like David; Who drink wine from bowls, And anoint yourselves with the best ointments, But are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. Therefore they shall now go captive as the first of the captives, And those who recline at banquets shall be removed.” (Amos 6.1-7). I don’t know who first said, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar!” However, I am fairly certain it was not Amos!

This in no way gives us license to speak without due regard and respect for others. However, it does point out the wanton debauchery that was so typical in Israel during the ministry of Amos. He was the man God chose for this job and he filled his office well! There is a time for candor and direct pleadings for repentance and there is a time to instruct those who are teachable. The issue with Amos’ hearers is that many of them were not teachable; there hearts were hardened to the truth and only by such straightforward talk could he hope to reach some. Jesus said, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” (Matthew 7.6). We have an obligation to judge righteous judgment and to speak and act accordingly (see John 7.24).

Questions:

1. What evidence is there that God used the speech of His prophets in delivering His word?

2. What traits might the people of Israel have had which prompted Amos to call them cows?

3. What traits might the people of Israel have had which prompted Amos to refer to the fact that they were accustomed to beds of ivory and to reclining on their couches?

4. Who/what are the dogs and swine to which Jesus referred in Matthew 7?

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