Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. But the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Now therefore hear the word of the LORD.
“You say, Do not prophesy against Israel,
and do not preach against the house of Isaac.’
Therefore thus says the LORD:
“‘Your wife shall be a prostitute in the city,
and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword,
and your land shall be divided up with a measuring line;
you yourself shall die in an unclean land,
and Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land.’”
Comment: Amos the animal carer and tree doctor’s knees probably shook at the words of the mighty king. But he had been called by God and boldly spoke up. ‘You tell me to be quiet. God tells me to speak up. Your wife will become a whore, your children slaughtered and your kingdom divided! You will be dragged away and killed and the population scattered by your conquerors into exile.‘ This is only a brief introduction to the message Amos sends back to Jeroboam, wait for what is to come!
Prayer: Heard out of context sometimes You seem so harsh, O God. Help me to learn my lessons and never forget the background of of Your holiness, love , grace and mercy, Father.
As I read it! 