Amos 7:10-17 – I Am No Prophet

BIBLE TEXT

Amos 7:10-17

SUMMARY

Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, confronts Amos and commands that he cease prophesying in Israel. He tells him to return to Judah and “earn bread” there. Amos reponds that he is “no prophet, nor a prophet’s son,” but that “the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'”

ANALYSIS

Amos is claiming that he was not a professional prophet–not a man who earned a living by prophesying. Rather, he has come north at the Lord’s command to speak the Lord’s word. Amaziah answers to King Jeroboam II; Amos answers to the eternal king, the Lord. Amos then announces that Amaziah will be judged and killed, along with his king Jeroboam.