Memo 940: Amos

We continue with our Proverbs 31 Male series with a look at one of the minor prophets named Amos. (Keep in mind that those prophets considered "minor" received that label due to the shortness of their biblical accounts and does not denigrate their message or impact.) We are looking at men who modeled certain behaviors described in Proverbs 31, which include:

1. Using leadership power to benefit and not harm those who are weaker.
2. Being concerned for social justice.
3. Honoring women.
4. Serving in leadership capacities as "elders at the gate," where wisdom and justice are dispensed.

The goal is to stir up readers who are willing to emulate the behavior and lifestyle of these Proverbs 31 men we study. Let's get started.

WHO WAS THIS MAN?

Amos was a shepherd ("The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa"—Amos 1:1) and a farmer (“I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees"—Amos 7:14). He was not numbered among the officially recognized prophets in either the southern kingdom where two tribes lived (Judah) or the northern kingdom (Israel) where the other ten tribes resided. Yet Amos responded to the call and word of the Lord to leave the southern kingdom to go deliver a message to the northern kingdom, where he quickly wore out his welcome.

It seems that the northern kingdom was experiencing unprecedented economic prosperity but had forgotten social justice and the rights of the poor in their drive to amass wealth. Amos began by prophesying against Israel's neighbors but then took dead aim at God's people and told them disaster was coming because of their wicked ways:

"There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court and detest the one who tells the truth. You levy a straw tax on the poor and impose a tax on their grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you will not drink their wine. For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts. Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil" (Amos 5:10-13). 

SOME THOUGHTS

Here are some thoughts on Amos and his mission that can help all people, especially men, in their attempts to carry out their God-given purpose in these days.

1. Amos was not only "interested" in his people of the southern tribe, but had a worldview that allowed him to address the nations around Israel as well as his northern cousins.
2. Amos had visions and wrote poetry. Like King David, he obviously nurtured his creativity so that when God spoke to him, he was prepared to speak and write because he had practiced and worked at it to sharpen his skills.
3. Like Jesus, Amos drew on analogies and images from his work world of shepherding and farming. For example, "This is what the Sovereign Lord showed me: a basket of ripe fruit. 'What do you see, Amos?” he asked. 'A basket of ripe fruit,' I answered. Then the Lord said to me, 'The time is ripe for my people Israel; I will spare them no longer'" (Amos 8:1-2). That indicates he paid attention to and meditated on what he heard and saw in the Lord and then put some thought, inspired by the Spirit, to communicate important lessons for the people to hear.
4. Amos was a "kingdom" man and not a "church" man. His loyalty was to Yahweh, the King of Israel, and not to his "denomination" or his tribal people. That is why he was ostracized but stayed true to his calling when he was evicted.
5. Amos urged Israel to build relationships with the poor, thus breaking down the barriers between the rich and poor, who were (and are) equal in the sight of God.

IMPLICATIONS FOR US

When we talk of justice, the problem is that people often politicize that discussion. Since everyone has an opinions about what is just and right, there is seldom agreement about the best behavior or course of action. Take the issue of health care, for example. Some believe the government should pay for most if not all of health care and others believe it should be based more on a free market approach that does indeed create inequities. Both sides blast away at the other side, one claiming the other is socialist and the other claiming those who disagree are racist or at least insensitive (I know this is a gross oversimplification.)

The point is that each man must seek the Lord to help him define the issues of justice and mercy and then not rail against those who disagree but rather do something with what he sees. For instance, I decided to become a university instructor among the poor who decided to return to school and served in that capacity for 22 years. I founded a publishing company that pays attention to those who have a story but cannot always pay for the publishing services. I attend a church that is active in the community around the church building to help the poor. Finally, my work in Africa among the poor there is well chronicled.

What are you doing to help the poor and contribute to social justice, not just among your own people or with your own political affiliations, but through your church? If your church isn't doing much, what is your response? Do you do nothing as well, or can you be like Amos who, although a blue collar worker, decided to do something by relocating and speaking out against the abuses of his day (this was not politically-motivated and was not directed at his enemies)? If we are going to be Proverbs 31 men, then we must be involved at a grass-roots level, not simply as rabble-rousers (talk is cheap and ideas cheaper) but as involved individuals who model what we teach and practice what we preach. Have a blessed week!