I respect Amos deeply. In fact, Amos is generally regarded as one of the great prophets. Along with Isaiah, Hosea, and Micah, he prophesied during the zenith of Old Testament prophecy in the eighth century BC.
What was it that made Amos such a great man of God? What is that makes us people who please God? As we often ask, what is it that makes “God smile?”
First, Amos lived and spoke truth. He was not a prophet, preacher, or teacher who sought to make people happy. He did his best to make God happy. In a very tragic time in the history of the Northern Kingdom (Israel), Amos called for repentance and faith. He challenged the nation to turn from its wicked ways and to follow God. Amos spoke God’s Word of Truth, reminding the people that God had repeatedly warned them to no avail (look at the refrain in Amos 4 where the people refused to return to God in spite of several warnings, verses 6, 8,9,10, 11). Finally, Amos told them to prepare to meet God (Amos 4:12).
Second, Amos’ message accurately portrayed the character of God. God is holy, just, and righteous, and God calls His people to be holy, just, and righteous. Israel and Judah were more righteous than their neighbors, a fact which gave the people a false sense of security. God wants His people to compare ourselves to Him alone.
Amos repeatedly called for justice and righteousness as a way for Israel to avert the judgment. “Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph” (Amos 5:15). Amos challenged the people to “Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is” (Amos 5:14).
Third, Amos obeyed God in spite of opposition and intimidation. Amos described who he was—a simple man with a simple message of repentance and obedience. In the face of intimidation from Amaziah (the priest) and Jeroboam II (the king), Amos stood firm in obedience. He didn’t fit the prophetic mold; he was simply a man of obedience whom God had taken from following the flock (Amos 7: 14-15). He steadfastly called the people to repentance because God had told him to “Go, prophesy to my people Israel” (Amos 7:15).
May you and I be people who please God.
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