Most of us have one or two people in our lives who can simply and easily tell us when we have done something we should not have done. For me, the two who come to mind are my wife and a particular coworker. Neither one of them ever tries to call me on the carpet in a way that serves to tear me down. Instead, in words of truth spoken with love, each one seeks to bring my vision into alignment with reality rather than allowing me to remain in a distorted view of what I think is right. As I write these words, I realize that most of us could use a few more people like these two in our lives.
The prophet Amos’s ministry occurred during the reign of King Jeroboam II in Israel. This particular king was one who “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” From the words of Amos, we learn that many of his evil actions were directed at his own people, causing them oppression and hardship. Even during a time when the king’s actions led his people astray, the Lord continued to raise up those who sought to bring Israel back. The challenge, though, was that the authorities of Israel failed to listen to the words of the prophets and the Nazirites. They even went so far as to seek their corruption by commanding that the prophets not prophesy and that the Nazirites, who were not to consume alcohol, drink wine. Even in times when humanity turns our faces from the will of the Lord, God continues to seek us and call us back into right relationship with Him as Amos’s prophetic ministry shows.