Amos was from the South Kingdom, while Bethel was part of the Northern Kingdom Israel
Amos vs. Amaziah
- Both have the same ‘vocation’: clergy, one was a priest, one was a prophet. Both had what many Christians view as ‘holy’ vocation
- But they saw their vocation and calling very differently.
Amaziah
- v.10-12 Amaziah saw Amos’ message as a job (“earn your bread”), as a way of pleasing people
- He never said Amos’ message was not true. But he saw his boss as the king and his territory was the temple.
- He was just following the ‘rules’ because it was a way to “earn bread”.
- How do we look at our earthly vocation? Who is your boss?
Amos
- He knew his position was from God.
- “I am not a prophet”. Only God is the prophet.
- “took care of sycamore-fig tress” – a dedicate job in which the worker prunes sycamore trees at specific times
- Therefore Amos saw God as the boss. It was not about earning bread, but obeying the true boss.
- Amos also emphasized that he was sent by God (“But the Lord took me from…”). His ‘rules’ was to obey what God had called him to do.
How do we see our vocational job today?
How would you define your calling: "I am not _______________. I am ________________."
