Am 7:10-17

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Amos and Amaziah (Am 7:10-17)

Amaziah the priest heard Amos’s preaching at Bethel, and was furious that he so boldly denounced Israel’s religious practices. He planned to get rid of the unwelcome prophet by accusing him of treason because of his announcements of judgment on the royal house (Am 7:10-11; see also Am 7:9).

The king apparently took no interest in the priest’s accusations. Amaziah therefore tried to persuade Amos to return to Judah, where people would welcome his prophecies against Israel and so pay him generously (Am 7:12-13).

Amos replies that he is not a professional prophet and never has been. He is a common farmer whom God called to announce his message to Israel (Am 7:14-15).

In addition he has a message for Amaziah. When Israel is eventually conquered, Amaziah’s wife will become a prostitute for the enemy soldiers, his children will be killed, and his land will be divided up by the conquerors (Am 7:16-17).