Fr. Eduardo Emilio Aguero, SCJ
1. The Confrontation at Bethel
In Amos 7:10–17, we witness a dramatic confrontation between the prophet Amos and Amaziah, the priest of Bethel. Amaziah, acting as a royal official, reports Amos to King Jeroboam II, accusing him of conspiracy and sedition: “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words.” (Am 7:10) Amaziah’s reaction reveals the tension between prophetic truth and institutional power. Amos, a shepherd from Judah, is seen as a threat to the Northern Kingdom’s political and religious establishment. This episode illustrates a central biblical principle: the prophetic vocation stands above monarchy and priesthood, serving as the voice of God’s justice and mercy.
2. Prophets: Called by God, Not by Status
Unlike kings and priests, who often belonged to elite families and were appointed through human institutions, prophets were directly called by God, often from humble or unexpected backgrounds:
Amos was tending sheep and sycamore trees (Amos 7:14–15).
Elisha was plowing a field (1 Kings 19:19).
Isaiah received his call in the Temple (Isaiah 6:1–8).
Ezekiel was called during exile in Babylon (Ezekiel 1:1–3).
Jeremiah was chosen before birth and called as a youth (Jeremiah 1:4–10).
God calls whom He wills, in whatever context they live. The prophet is not self-appointed but seized by God, assimilating His worldview—His covenantal love, His justice that purifies through suffering, and His desire to forgive and restore the faithful remnant.
3. Amos’ Mission and Message
Amos was sent to denounce the corruption of the King–Priest–Merchant alliance in Samaria. These elites masked their injustice with lavish rituals, believing they were serving the Lord while they oppressed the poor and committed violence. Amos exposes this hypocrisy: “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees. And the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’” (Amos 7:14–15) Amos does not retreat in fear when faced with a threat. He boldly declares that his mission is God’s will and not coming from his own initiative. He warns that the Northern Kingdom’s leaders are leading the people toward ruin and exile under the brutal Assyrian empire.
Amos also challenges the false sanctuaries of the Northern Kingdom. The Shekhinah (שְׁכִינָה)—the indwelling glory of God—abides only in the Temple of Jerusalem, not in Bethel or Samaria, which had been desacralized by idolatrous worship. The presence of God cannot be manipulated or localized by corrupt institutions. Amos’ words were fulfilled. Neither Amaziah nor Jeroboam heeded the warning. The Northern Kingdom eventually fell to Assyria in 722 B.C., and its people were exiled. These are the so-called “Lost Tribes of Israel” that never returned. The prophetic voice, though rejected, proved true. “Therefore, thus says the Lord: ‘Your wife shall be a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword… and Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land.’” (Am 7:17)
4. Jesus and the Prophetic Tradition
Jesus stands firmly within the tradition of the Hebrew prophets. Like Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others, He was sent to proclaim God’s justice, mercy, and call to conversion—especially to those in power who had grown comfortable in their religious and social privilege. Throughout His ministry, Jesus defended the prophets and mourned their persecution: “Woe to you! You built the tombs of the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them.” (Lk 11:47) He exposed the hypocrisy of religious leaders who honored the prophets in death but rejected their message in life. This critique echoes Amos’ denunciation of the priestly and royal elites who silenced God’s voice to preserve their own comfort and control. Jesus Himself experienced this rejection firsthand. When He returned to His hometown of Nazareth, the people were astonished by His teaching, but refused to accept Him: “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” … And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.’” (Mt 13:55–57) This moment reveals a profound truth: the mark of a true prophet is resistance and hostility from those unwilling to leave their comfort zones, confront their sin, and embrace conversion. Prophets disturb the status quo. They speak uncomfortable truths. They call for justice, mercy, and radical change. Jesus not only stands within the prophetic tradition; all the prophets point to Him as the Messiah. He is more than a prophet—He is the Word made flesh, the only begotten Son of God. Yet His path is marked by suffering, rejection, and crucifixion. Like Amos, He is accused, opposed, and ultimately condemned by the very institutions entrusted with upholding God’s covenant. And yet, just as Amos’ prophecy was fulfilled despite rejection, so too was Jesus’ mission victorious through the Resurrection. His rejection becomes the cornerstone of salvation: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (Ps 118:22; cf. Mt 21:42)
Praying with the Word of God
A prophetic voice can be unsettling and uncomfortable. Yet we must remain open to being challenged—at any moment and in any circumstance—lest we become trapped in institutionalized, rigid, and overly ritualized patterns that blind us to God’s living call. To follow Christ is to live on the edge, embracing the paradox that defines the Gospel. As Saint Paul so powerfully expresses:
“When I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Some suggestions for prayer:
Read and meditate on the full passage: Am 7:10–17
Look back on your personal history. Recall moments when you sensed God’s call.
What was your situation at the time?
What unique features marked that call?
Discern the inconsistencies that persist in your life.
What areas need to be confronted by the prophetic voice of Amos?
Where is God inviting you to conversion, courage, and renewal?
Let the Word of God disturb your comfort, awaken your conscience, and lead you into deeper communion with His will. The prophetic voice is not meant to condemn, but to illuminate the path of truth and transformation.
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