Amos 7
Keep it real. That’s what the plumb-line calls for.
The moment you stand for that approach you will either be misunderstood, confronted, tempted or all 3 of those! Just like Amos.
The priest Amaziah misrepresented Amos to the king.
Amos had never said the king would die in battle. He did say Israel would go into exile. This is often what happens to those who are jealous of you. They only say half the story and add other bits which make a complete different story. They then hold a false impression of you.
Through all this, keep it real.
The priest then confronts Amos with a clear message to stop prophesying. If people cannot fit you into their mould they will try and discard you. If they cannot ignore you then they will try and stop your ministry. Will you be silenced? Will you be sidelined? Will you be another casualty just because some do not like the ministry God has given to you?
Through all this, keep it real.
I think the most difficult of challenges is that in the area of temptation. But perhaps not in the way we think of at first. Amos is tempted to preserve himself “Go back” The enemy of our soul constantly wants us to think of our own interests, to save ourselves, to climb down and back away. Amos is then tempted to divert the focus God has given him to another place where the audience would be far more receptive. Judah would love to hear prophecies against the neighbouring nation of Israel. Thirdly Amos was tempted to be someone he wasn’t. He confidently declared he was not a prophet nor from a family of prophets. He is a fruit farmer and a shepherd who is speaking God’s Word to them. That’s it.
Through all this, keep it real. Believe in the plumb-line even though it will bring its challenges to you. But the reality and the true will get you through.
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Missions Paul 