AMOS, THE PEASANT-PROPHET http://www.thepilgrimpath.co.nz/articles/amos.htm
AMOS, THE PEASANT-PROPHET
HIS MESSAGE FOR OUR DAY
Both before and after reading this article I would urge you to read carefully and prayerfully the whole
prophetic book of Amos, as well as the following passages from 1 Kings: ch.11 vs. 26-40, ch.12
vs.25-33.
This writing is the fruit of several months of, as it were, "soaking" in this prophetic book, and seeking
revelation concerning its essential relevance and application to our contemporary religious situation.
I am not asking that you uncritically accept the light which I have on it, which I share here, but that
you humbly and honestly consider it before the Lord, enquiring of Him what He is saying through this
Old Testament prophet, both to you personally and to contemporary churches.
In a previous message on Hosea chs. 1-3 I wrote of that prophet's revelation regarding the way of
restoration and renewal for a harlot people, and concluded, in the light of his prophecy, that we can
hardly expect instant revival such as is being predicted in some evangelical and charismatic circles.
To underline and reinforce that message I invite you to look with me into the prophecy of Amos.
An Exciting Promise of Revival
In Amos 9:11-15 there is an exciting vision of a powerful outpouring of God's Spirit producing a
thrilling renewal and revival amongst God's people, with a great harvest ingathering. The vision
centres on the raising up again of the tabernacle or tent of David which had fallen. This prophetic
word has been seized upon with great eagerness, and has been much preached about in recent years.
Some have even claimed that their particular "stream" of Pentecostalism is part of the fulfilment of it.
Those predicting imminent and overwhelming revival would seem also to be laying claim to it for
today. No doubt we would all rejoice to see and live in such a day, and it would be wonderful to know
that it was about to arrive. But, it seems to me, that in their desire for revival such interpreters are
ignoring 95% of Amos message. The promise of revival at the end of the book follows eight and a half
chapters of awesome prophecies of judgment .
A Degenerate Humanly-Devised Religious System
The main thrust of the revelation given to this shepherd-prophet concerns the pulling down and the
rejection of a religious system that had no authorisation from the Lord, and which was lacking in
intimate personal relationship with Him. The religious institution in Israel against which Amos so
powerfully prophesied had two hundred years of history and tradition behind it. It had its beginnings
when the kingdom divided and Jeroboam, heading up ten of the tribes, set up the golden calves at
Bethel and Dan.
Just before this critical event God, through the prophet Ahijah, gave Jeroboam an amazing promise.
Here it is: "If you will hearken to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do what is
right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and my commandments as David my servant did, I will be
with you, and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you." (1Kings
11:38) Instead of simply walking in trust in that word, Jeroboam, leaning on his own understanding,
and taking secular counsel, set up all the framework of a humanly organised religious system. Look at
1 Kings 12;25-33 and note all the words so characteristic of organisational religion. "Jeroboam built";
"Jeroboam said in his heart"; "He made houses on high places"; "He appointed priests"; "He appointed
a feast"; "Her placed in Bethel the priests of the high places that he had made"; "He went up to the
altar which he made"; all of which "He had devised of his own heart."
I Will Build My Church
The promise of God was not good enough for Jeroboam. He was not content to walk in humble
obedience as the Lord required of him and let the Lord build the house. No, he himself proceeded to
build, set up, appoint, put in place, in other words to establish a humanly devised and controlled
religious institution. Now, is that not an almost exact parallel to what has happened regarding the
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religious institution. Now, is that not an almost exact parallel to what has happened regarding the
Church? Jesus said, plainly and unequivocally, "I will build My Church." He also promised and gave
the Holy Spirit, the all-sufficient agent through whom the promise would be fulfilled, as believers
walked in simple trust and obedience. The architect and the builder was to be the Lord. It all started
off just as God intended on the day of Pentecost and in the early years, but before too long men, just
like Jeroboam, began to follow the devices of their own hearts, to build houses (religious buildings),
raise altars and appoint priests (ecclesiastical hierarchies), and set up calves of gold ( ? denominational
systems). Jesus did not leave or intend to leave a humanly devised institution, let alone the thousands
of institutions such as we now have in Christendom. His purpose was to leave a single, united, living,
organic Body, obedient to Him as Head and Chief Shepherd ruling from His throne in heaven through
the promised Holy Spirit living in His people. So, is God going to grant an Amos 9:11-15 revival to
these multiplied institutions, organisations, ministries etc.? Well what has Amos got to say?
God's Judgment of the Religious System
It is evident that the religious system in Israel in Amos day was doing very well. It bore the marks of
success. There were plenty of activities, daily crowded services, financial prosperity from tithing and
freewill offerings, celebrations and gatherings with great music and praise and worship, affluent
leaders made rich by the offerings extracted from the people, great houses with every modern comfort,
powerful priests and all under the patronage of the king himself. Read all about it for yourself, and
draw the more-than-obvious parallels with today's systems and the way they operate.
Along comes this peasant from over the border in Judah. He has no credentials acceptable in that
religious world. He has been to no "School of Prophets", and he has not attended "how-to" seminars.
He comes right to the power centre of this successful, wealthy, well organised religious system crying,
in effect, "It is all to be pulled down and utterly destroyed. You claim that God is with you, but He
hates and abhors your system. He has tried again and again to get your attention, but you would not
turn to Him." (Ch.4:6-12) Amos clearly saw that, amidst all the well-oiled mechanics and activities of
their beloved church, the one thing needful was absent, a personal loving, life-giving relationship to
God. (Ch.5:4, 5,6,14,15) There was to be no revival for that system. It was destined to be utterly
destroyed and dismantled, its strongholds, its great houses and small houses all included. Only a
remnant would survive that judgmental catastrophe. The prophets of the system were proclaiming "the
Day of the Lord", thinking it would be a day of unprecedented blessing, but Amos had to tell them that
instead it is a day of judgment and darkness, a day of spiritual famine and thirst. His prophetic word
comes to a climax in ch.9:1-10, where he sees the Lord standing beside the very altar that Jeroboam
had raised up two hundred years previously, and proclaiming the total demolition of all that had been
so carefully and religiously erected. It is an awesome prophecy. Only a remnant come
through.(Ch.9:8b)
Peasant-Prophet Confronts High Priest
In ch.7 there is an account of a most dramatic and instructive encounter between the prophet, Amos,
and the chief representative of the religious system, Amaziah. See how Amaziah reacts with high
indignation and jealous protectiveness of his religious empire, and how he pulls rank and tradition in
rebuking this insolent peasant who dares to impugn this prosperous and flourishing church system and
to foretell its certain overthrow. "Get out Amos ! Don't ever come here with your prophecies again!
Who do you think you are?" The peasant-prophet truly commissioned by God, and the humanly
appointed Pope of the system! Transfer the situation into modern terms. Imagine an Amos, bearing a
similar word, coming into some of our plush carpeted sanctuaries, with their costly sound systems and
upbeat music and high-profile preachers. Look out, any modern Amos! Your reception will be less
than friendly! But who has the truth? That is the crucial question.
Much later, in Jerusalem a similar confrontation took place, Jesus and the highest religious authorities
of the land. They claimed to be the guardians of truth. They "knew". "You are mad. You have a
demon." That was their reaction. Who had the truth?
After Pentecost those same leaders had another encounter, this time with the Apostles, "unlearned and
ignorant men" in their opinion, but they "had been with Jesus." Who had the truth? The learned,
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ignorant men" in their opinion, but they "had been with Jesus." Who had the truth? The learned,
educated, powerful religious leaders, or the simple Galilean fishermen?
And what is the truth concerning today's religious systems? Are they destined to experience glorious
revival, or are they conceivably under the judgment of God, despite their apparent prosperity and
success? Or is revival only promised to that remnant who come through a time of judgment yet to fall
on mens' systems? You must decide for yourself in the light of God's word.
Better, it seems to me, to come out from the systems and institutions which men have built and
control, and simply and humbly to "Seek God and live." as Amos urged, and to pray that we may, by
the mercy of God be part of that "remnant of Joseph" who, when the judgment is passed, will go on to
experience the promised and sure-coming restoration of ch. 9:11-15. in the Sovereign God's chosen
time. What are you going to do? I have made my choice. You must make yours.
Jack Gray,
18T/66 Avonleigh Rd,
Green Bay,
AUCKLAND 0604,
New Zealand.
Tel. 649 8171831. E-mail
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