World Mission Seminary

Brgy. Inocencio, Trece Martires City, Cavite

In Partial Fulfilment

Of Requirements in

PROPHETS

“ ”
a Character Study of the

Prophet Amos

Submitted to:
Ptr. Gideon Alipio
Professor

Submitted by:
Alfafara, Harley Sheen D.
M.Div.3

December 4, 2019
Title: From Farmer to Prophet

Objective: To know the origin of prophet Amos, before God called him to the prophetic ministry,

the message of his life and his impact to Israel.

Table of Contents

Introduction

I. His Origin

II. His Calling

III. His Ministry

IV. His Impact

V. Implication

Conclusion

Footnotes

Bibliography
Introduction

When we talk about a “man of God” we imagine a person who lives a very spiritual

life. A noble person. A man with a Bible in hand—well-versed in theology and biblical facts.

A person whose Facebook timeline consists only of Godly posts, with another Bible verse as a

Facebook profile. Perhaps a “Reverend” or a “Pastor” who attended five long years in the

seminary.

But here is a man of God whose background and lifestyle are far from our picture. A

man whose companion is a flock of sheep and a daily job of tending some trees. A man without

a degree in Theology, but whose heart is humble and pure; zealous for God and God’s Word.

This man is Amos. A farmer turned into a prophet, to be remembered till time passes.

I. His Origin

As God often does, He chose a unique candidate to announce His message of

judgment—someone who was an exact opposite of the wealthy power-brokers of the

northern kingdom: a farmer-herdsman from an insignificant village in the Judean

wilderness.1

Amos 1:1 shows us a snippet of where Prophet Amos came from. Before he was a

prophet, he was a sheepbreeder or one of the shepherds. This was the natural occupation in

the town he belonged. He was born and raised in Tekoa, a town located in the rugged sheep

country of Judah, about ten to eleven miles south of Jerusalem. Aside from shepherding,

1
David Jeremiah, The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version. (USA: Worthy Publishing, 2013), p. 1175.
 he also grew and tended figs, a staple of the poor in the land. So, Amos was probably one

among the poor.

II. His Calling

Amos was called into the prophetic ministry in 760 BC, when Jeroboam II was king

over Israel. There was no epic story about his calling unlike that of Isaiah or Jeremiah.

There was no mention of him in Kings or Chronicles. However, Amos 1:1 tells us that

Amos received and saw visions concerning Israel. Perhaps his calling into the ministry was

abrupt because of the urgency of the message.

God calls the most unexpected individuals to do his bidding. Presumably, Amos was

called to be a prophet because of his origin. He was not a son of a prophet nor was he a son

of a priest. Yet since the subjects of his visions and oracles are people in power: kings and

wealthy citizens of Israel, his life and experience as an ordinary farmer-shepherd became

a strong vessel for the message of God. Amos used striking metaphors linked to

shepherding and farming—a loaded wagon (2:13), a roaring lion (3:8), a mutilated sheep

(3:12), fat cows (4:1), and a basket of ripe fruit (8:1-2).2 He would not be able to use such

strong images if not for his background.

Therefore, what is thought to be a weakness became his credibility. Apparently, his

background played a big part in communication of the message of God.

2
Life Application Study Bible: New Living Translation, (Carol Stream, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1988), p.
1435.
 III. His Ministry

He was called to be a prophet to the larger part of Israel—the northern kingdom. He

was sent during a heady time. The nation have become complacent, corruption and

oppression was rampant—the poor was constantly exploited. Worthless gods have taken

over God’s place in the heart of His people. Worship and religion became superficial. The

nation led by Jeroboam II has rejected God in the most fundamental sense. Amos’ mission

was to communicate God’s heart bearing social justice and judgment against the oppressor,

while proclaiming hope for the future.

Amos used hyperboles to demonstrate how seriously the rich extorted the poor” to the

point of desiring the dust on their heads. 3

Amos pronounced judgment from God on all the surrounding nations of Israel,

including Judah. At first when he was proclaiming God’s judgment over the wicked nations

surrounding Israel, the people were cheering. But when he started proclaiming against

Israel, the nation despised him.

Nevertheless, Amos remained faithful in doing the task that God had called him to do.

His ministry lasted for ten years (760- 750 BC).

IV. His Impact

His prophecies and visions made a huge impact on the hearers of his time. When he

was prophesying against Aram, Philistia, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, and Moab, we can almost

hear the ecstatic cheer of the Israel crowd. Yet when he turned to them and proclaimed

3
See Amos 2:7-8.
 God’s judgment to his chosen nation, we can also assume that they hated the prophet

sending the message.

Prophets such as Amos who proclaim hurtful truths are not always acceptable and

welcome with the crowd. But this is the impact we are aiming for. If the hearers become as

if worms covered in salt that means the message penetrates their very heart. When the

message is uncomfortable to hear, that is when the prophet is making an impact.

Although there was no record of Israel turning from their ways and back to God after

Amos prophesied, we can say that somehow they were torn in the heart, they were

wounded, they were rebuked, and they were awakened.

V. Implication

As a preacher and pastor, I can relate with Amos. Not everyone is going to appreciate

the message we bear. Some others turn against us instead of drawing near to God when

they hear messages that seem to be directed at them. Perhaps, Amos was persecuted,

condemned and hated by the people but he remained faithful to his task.

Amos’ life speaks of obedience, faithfulness and endurance. If it were me, considering

a background so far from being spiritual, I would have questioned God why he chose me

specifically. But Amos is not seen with that kind of attitude. When he received the message

of God, he obediently proceeded to his task.

His faithfulness to his calling is exemplary. He faced judgments himself, he faced and

received hatred yet nothing hindered him to continue on the path where God put him. He

continued. He endured. He remained in the place where God placed him. His message
 rings. His life makes it ring louder even until now. His life teaches God’s servants to endure

and continue in the ministry no matter the challenge that may come.

Conclusion

Amos was a man of God. A pattern for God’s servants of today. His obedience and

faithfulness explains why God chose him for the task. His zeal for God was the reason why he

endured. However, God could not be discounted from all of this because only His work in Amos

can explain the power of Amos’ life and message.

Amos’ life still impacts until today. His example is an inspiration and encouragement for

all who aspire to continue in ministry no matter what background or history we come from.

______________________________________________________________________________

Bibliography

Holy Bible: New International Version. (Colorado Springs: International Bible Society, 1973).

Jeremiah, David. The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version. (USA: Worthy

Publishing, 2013

Life Application Study Bible: New Living Translation, (Carol Stream, Ill.: Tyndale House

Publishers, Inc., 1988).