February 10: CHARACTER BUILDING

The words of Amos, who was among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. Amos 1:1

Poor and lacking in formal education, Amos received a divine call while living in Judah. He left Judah to go to Israel. Some of his work was centered in Bethel where the summer palace of King Jeroboam was located. It also was the location of the principal calf temple. He denounced the calf worship, and was taken before the king and charged as being a dangerous conspirator (see 7:10-13).

Amos is very highly regarded among the prophets for his plain eloquence of expression. The words of Amos . . . which he saw concerning Israel reveal that God gave him a vision of the underlying character of His people during a time of great prosperity. Business was booming and boundaries were bulging. Such times are the most likely ones for gaining a false sense of security. Amos, the farmer-turned-prophet, was shown the reality of a growing callousness toward the disciplining hand of God. Greed and injustice were festering. True worship was being replaced by empty and hypocritical religious rituals. During this time of national optimism, Amos was largely disregarded as untaught and untrained. Though he was one who had enjoyed very few worldly advantages, he was chosen by the LORD to do a great work for the eternal kingdom.

. . . two years before the earthquake. Details of this particular earthquake are not recorded, but it was apparently serious enough to leave a deep impression on subsequent generations. Long afterwards, it was a reference point for the prophet Zechariah as he wrote about future developments (see Zechariah 14:5).

The idea that someone of humble means could reveal the glories and judgements of God should not surprise the student of God’s Word. It should inspire each of us to recognize His awesome power at work among normal, everyday people. Just between you and Him, issue an invitation for His training and discipline to come into each hour of your day. And then stay on the alert to see Him at work. It is what a man is, not necessarily what he has, that fits him for service as a disciple of the Lord.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7