Amos 7:15

And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. AND THE LORD TOOK ME AS I FOLLOWED THE FLOCK. So David was taken (2 Samuel 7:8; Psalms 78:70-19). Messiah is the antitypical Shepherd, (Psalms 23:1; John 10:1.) The breed of sheep and goats, naaqaad, from which he took his special name as 'shepherd,' noqeed (H5349) (Amos 1:1), is still known by the same name in Arabia; a stunted, thin,...

10-17 It is no new thing for the accusers of the brethren, to misrepresent them as enemies to the king and kingdom, as traitors to their prince, and troublers of the land, when they are the best friends to both. Those who make gain their godliness, and are governed by the hopes of wealth and preferment, are ready to think these the most powerful motives with others also. But those who have a warrant from God, like Amos, ought not to fear the face of man. If God, that sent him, had not strengthened him, he could not thus have set his face as a flint. The Lord often chooses the weak and foolish things of the world to confound the wise and mighty. But no fervent prayers, or self-denying labours, can bring proud sinners to bear faithful reproofs and warnings. And all who oppose or despise the Divine word, must expect fatal effects to their souls, unless they repent....

EXPOSITION VERSE 1-CH. 9:10 Part III. FIVE VISIONS, WITH EXPLANATIONS, CONTINUING AND CONFIRMING THE PREVIOUS PROPHECY. The afflictions are climactic, increasing in intensity. The first two symbolize judgments which have been averted by the prophet's intercession; the third and fourth adumbrate judgments which are to fall inevitably; and the fifth proclaims the overthrow of the temple and the old theocracy. AMOS 7:1 _§ 1. The first vision, of locusts, represents Israel as a field eaten down to the ground, but shooting up afresh, and its utter destruction postponed at the prophet's prayer._...

AND THE LORD TOOK ME AS I FOLLOWED THE FLOCK,.... Or "from behind" it u; a description of a shepherd, such an one Amos was, and in this employ when the Lord called him, and took him to be a prophet; he did not seek after it, nor did he take this honour to himself; by which it appears that his mission was divine, and that he did not enter on this work with lucrative views: thus God took David in a like state of life, and made him king of Israel; and Elisha from the plough, and made him a prophet: and Christ several of his disciples from being fishermen, and made them fishers of men, or ministers of the word; and so their call appeared more clear and manifest; AND THE LORD SAID UNTO ME; in a vision or dream by night; or by an articulate voice he heard; or by an impulse upon his spirit, which comes from the Spirit of God: GO, PROPHESY UNTO MY PEOPLE ISRAEL; for so they were by profession,...

III. THE FIVE VISIONS OF THE PROPHET CHAPTER 7 Three Visions and the Opposition Against Amos _ 1. The vision of locusts (Amos 7:1) _ 2. The vision concerning the fire (Amos 7:4) 3. The vision of the plumbline (Amos 7:7) 4. Opposition against Amos (Amos 7:10) Amos 7:1. In the first vision Amos saw how the Lord prepared locusts (not grasshoppers as in the A.V. They started in with their destructive work, just as they did in the day of Joel. Then Amos interceded in behalf of the sinful nation, “O Lord, GOD, forgive, I beseech Thee, by whom

EFFECT OF AMOS-' PUBLIC UTTERANCES. A historical episode is here interposed. Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, interrupts the work of Amos, charging him, by twisting his words, with conspiracy (Amos 7:10). So revolutionary is he that the earth (_not_ the land) cannot bear all his words. Really he had spoken not of Jeroboam but of the house of Jeroboam. There is perhaps a note of scorn in the word seer (almost equivalent to visionary). Amos had better flee to Judah and earn his bread and prophesy there. Amos retorts that he was no professional prophet. He had earned his bread by tending sheep and cultivating fig-mulberries (rather than sycamore trees). In Syria these did not grow in such high and cold regions as Tekoa, but the pasture-grounds and gardens of its shepherds may well have extended on the E. down to the Dead Sea (_cf._ G. A. Smith). Amos refuses for the moment to be silenced ...

TOOK ME: I.E., CALLED ME Prophets were called by Jehovah; not born prophets, or made prophets by man. See notes on 1 Samuel 10:5.Hebrews 1:1. AS. FOLLOWED, &c. Compare Psalms 78:70; Psalms 78:71....

A historical episode, intimately connected with the preceding visions, and arising out of them. In particular, Amos, in explaining the last of these visions, had spoken so unambiguously, even, in appearance, threatening the person of the king, that Amaziah, the priest of Beth-el, denounces him to Jeroboam II., upon a charge of conspiracy; and upon the king's taking no notice of the accusation, takes it upon himself to bid the prophet leave Israel and return to his own country. Amos replies that he has been commissioned by Jehovah to speak as he has done, and re-affirms, with even greater emphasis, his former prediction, with reference in particular to the fate in store for Amaziah's own family and possessions....

_AMAZIAH REBUKES AMOS -- AMOS 7:10-17:_ Amaziah the priest at Bethel sent a message to King Jeroboam of Israel saying, "Amos is plotting against you in the very heart of Israel. Our nation cannot put up with his message for very long." This is not the Jeroboam that first led Israel into idolatry but one that continued the same. Amaziah was the priest of Bethel, one of the locations for idol worship in Israel. Amaziah, like all false teachers, hated the truth. It is uncertain that Amos had said what Amaziah had accused him of or not. He said that Amos said, "Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his land." It is likely that Amos had not spoken about the death of Jeroboam. However, some of what Amaziah said was truth. Godless men and false teachers often mix some truth with their error to deceive those that hear them. Amaziah told Amos to t

CAUSES OF JUDGMENT PROPHESIEDCORRUPT RELIGIOUS LEADERS TEXT: Amos 7:10-17 10 Then Amaziah the priest of Beth-el 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. 11 For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of his land. 12 Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thou away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: 13 but prophesy not again any more at Beth-el; for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a royal house. 14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore-trees: 15 and Jehovah took me from following the flock, and Jehovah said