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July 13, 2018

Amos 7:12-15

Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. Don’t prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king’s sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom.” Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

New International Version (NIV)

                 On my recent trip to Bulgaria I ran right into a shepherd and a goatherd. Every morning as we worshiped, the sheep and goats made their way down the mountain. I suspect the flocks provided a nice diversion from my sermon. This was only the second time I have seen a real shepherd. Last time I was in Nazareth, Israel.

                Amos was a shepherd and a sycamore fig picker before God called him. He marched into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and blistered the people of Samaria for their casual disinterest in the things of God. Eventually he caught the attention of the King’s lead priest who told him to go home and preach in Judah. Amos explained, “I didn’t choose to do this. God chose me. And by the way Israel will go into exile and you will die on foreign soil.” Amos could never be called timid!

                On the whole, I suspect it is easier to take care of sheep than God’s people. But God so often chose men who were shepherds to go and call his people back to himself. Amos was not the last shepherd to experience rejection. Isaiah predicted about the Messiah, “We all like sheep have gone astray. Each of us has turned to our own way. And the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all. By his wounds we are healed.” Will we return to the Shepherd of our souls today? He died for our sins so that we might die to sins and live for him.

Pray with me:

Father, turn our hearts toward you today. We like sheep have gone astray. Call us back to yourself. If necessary use your rod and staff. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
Joyfully,
Duane

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