My Favorite Prophet

Steven’s Scribbles
“My Favorite Prophet”
    
    Who is your favorite prophet? Obviously leaving Jesus out of the conversation, because He is everyone’s favorite, hands down. Is it a non-literary prophet like Elijah? Or a well known literary prophet like Isaiah? My personal favorite is Amos. I think I like Amos because I see myself in Amos the most. Amos was not a court member, priest, or son of a prophet. Amos was not well known or even been trained to talk to people. Amos was a keeper of herds and sycamore trees. He was a blue collared worker. Amos’ overall demeanor is that of someone who was prophesying out of service to God rather than wanting to be heard. Although he was from Judah, he was called to prophesy to a people who didn’t want to hear from him, Israel. My favorite section from Amos, is Amos 7:10-17. Amaziah, the priest in Bethel, told Jeroboam king of Israel about what Amos had been prophesying. He was speaking the truth about Israel’s future and their Assyrian captivity. “Then Amaziah said to Amos, ‘Go, you seer, flee away to the land of Judah and there eat bread and there do your prophesying!’” (7:12) Amaziah is running Amos off and telling him to “eat bread” (make your money) back in Judah. “Then Amos replied to Amaziah, ‘I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock and the Lord said to me, “Go prophesy to My people Israel”’” (7:14-15). I have taught the Bible to religious people who didn’t want to hear it, in the same way that Israel didn’t want to hear God’s word from Amos. I’ve been told to “get out” like Amos was. However, I think we all need to have Amos’ heart. We teach God’s word because He has called christians to do so (1 Peter 2:9). I might feel completely out of place, time, and culture, but I’m going to teach God’s word, no matter the costs. Be like Amos. I love you all!


In His service,
Steven Hugley