Advent is a season of waiting and expectation, of light in the darkness. But it is also a time of taking stock, of doing spiritual housecleaning in preparation for the arrival of the King of the Universe. It is within this context that the writers of the daily lectionary chose the words of the prophet Amos for our consideration on this day:
“Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel: “Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words. For this is what Amos is saying: “‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile, away from their native land.'”
Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. Don’t prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king’s sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom.”
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Now then, hear the word of the LORD. You say, “‘Do not prophesy against Israel, and stop preaching against the house of Isaac.’ “Therefore this is what the LORD says: “‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be measured and divided up, and you yourself will die in a pagan country. And Israel will certainly go into exile, away from their native land.'” – Amos 7:10-17
In the Trinity School for Ministry 2013 Advent Devotional, commentary is added by retired missionary Caroline Humphrey:
“Bad news. If they did not repent, the king would be killed by the sword and the people sent into exile. Their sins: oppression of the poor (2:6), incest (2:7), rich living (3:15), gluttony, and drunkenness (4:1). Amos’ words still speak to us today. As I returned to the USA from the mission field, I wondered, “What is going to happen to our country?” Encountering the rejection of God which is permeating our nation has been jolting. God and His ways have very little repute these days in our society. Is He warning us now?”
She goes on to ask how each one of us is representing God in our daily lives, in our families, at work, or in our churches. “Do we have the guts to do it God’s way, not our way? Do we pray for the salvation of those who do not know the transforming power of Jesus?”
Questions like these have been on my mind and heart during Advent this year. Why does it surprise us that, when greed and lust and self-indulgence rule the day, things go from bad to worse? If Israel was conquered and her people taken into exile because of what they had done, how will our own nation avoid the same fate? And why are the churches not sounding the warning?
The line “Don’t prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king’s sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom” is telling. The high priest, with the king’s approval, forbids Amos to prophesy at Bethel (meaning: “House of God”) and claims the holy place for secular powers: “the king’s sanctuary, the temple of the kingdom.” Not God’s sanctuary or the temple of the Most High.
As then, so now: worldly powers and secular leaders challenge God’s power and would put themselves in His place. Who will stand with Amos in declaring the one true and living God?
Getting Started 
Leave a Reply