The Pride & Prejudice of Amaziah

from October 2021

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The Pride & Prejudice of Amaziah

Amos 7:10-17 by Dr. Rob Debelak

God chose Jerusalem as the locale for His legitimate sanctuary (Deuteronomy 12, 14, 15, 16, etc.) Alternatively, Jeroboam’s centers in Bethel and Dan are administrative conveniences to divinely sanctioned worship. Rationalizing any deviation from God’s policy in the Northern kingdom, though, would prove unsuccessful, leading to spiritual disintegration and judgment. The nation is fractured politically, and ignoring historic monotheism represented in a single temple for all of Jacob’s tribes exposes a rebellion fostered by human reason as symptomatic of profound selfishness manifest in the quest for power.

Compounding the problem is an illegitimate priesthood given to political agenda over honoring divine mandate (v 10). Only unblemished Levites of Aaron’s line could serve as priests (Exodus 27), but Amaziah’s heritage is unmentioned. Irrespective of lineage, his service occurs in a sanctuary rival to Jerusalem. Be it a place or person, the formula for devastation includes behavior contrary to divine design.

Exhibiting a superiority complex, Amaziah conspires against God’s true spokesman, launching a libelous attack against Amos. Seeking magisterial authority to expel the prophet, Amaziah argues it is not in the king’s best interest to allow this out-of-towner to remain in Israel’s borders. It’s bad press to permit Amos to announce the realm’s demise (v 11), even if he is God’s herald. Tragically, Amaziah favors worldly appearance over the inspired message and demeans God’s majesty.

In a personal confrontation, presumably with the Northern king’s support, Amaziah serves an eviction notice (v 12), insisting Amos return home to the Southern kingdom. It is OK to prophesy there, but Amos is persona-non-grata (unwelcome) in the North (v 13). Amaziah prefers a form of godliness with no appreciation for spiritual depth. His demands of departure and distance create space impairing the reception of the prophet’s message. Thus, another ingredient in the recipe for failure is assuming that silencing truth makes problems disappear.

Power had blinded Amaziah. The distinction of his office and corresponding actions betrayed in associations of prominence had inflated his sense of importance. He had it all—influence, rank, and prestige—and he likely feared losing status. In contrast, the selfeffacing Amos claims nothing (vv 14-15) yet bears God’s approval. Rejecting spiritual role as a badge of power, Amos humbly recounts his resume (vv 14-15). He did not assert rights or heritage of divine office; he was a simple farmer who tended flock and field. He could not, though, deny the genuine calling of God, and with the backing of the High King, he unashamedly deferred to God’s will, declaring the Word of the LORD (vv 16-17)!

This conflict is a clash of spiritual values between a man calling on and representing his temporal king versus a man called and sent by the Eternal King. The dissimilarity of the characters pits the illegitimate against the genuine—a pretend priest opposing a pure prophet—one scoffing at the divine message the other embraced. Scripture frames Amaziah’s brief mention by locations: beginning in a questionable locale of worship for his vocation, he would forfeit his lot in life winding up in a defiled place (v 17). Refusing truth would cost his family honor and their lives, his land, and his liberty—a model of disaster to be experienced on a larger scale.

This case is instructive. Restructuring God’s Word to suit personal agenda, preferring influence over inspiration, and muting the Word by relegating it to “safe” confines are warning signs along the road of ruin. May God grant us the grace to love Him above all and avoid the errors of selfish pride.

About The Author

Dr. Rob Debelak is an Associate Professor of Bible in Lee University’s Online Program. He has taught at Lee University for over 25 years and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He and his family reside in Cleveland, TN.

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