7:1 The sovereign Lord showed me this:
I saw1 him making locusts just as the crops planted late2 were beginning to sprout. (The crops planted late sprout after the royal harvest.3)
7:2 When they had completely consumed the earth’s vegetation, I said, “Sovereign Lord, forgive Israel!4 How can Jacob survive?5 He is too weak!”6
7:3 The Lord decided not to do this.7 “It will not happen,” the Lord said.
7:4 The sovereign Lord showed me this:
I saw8 the sovereign Lord summoning a shower of fire.9 It consumed the great deep and devoured the fields.
7:5 I said, “Sovereign Lord, stop! How can Jacob survive?10 He is too weak!”11
7:6 The Lord decided not to do this.12 The sovereign Lord said, “This will not happen either.”
7:7 He showed me this:
I saw13 the Sovereign One14 standing by a tin15 wall holding tin in his hand.
7:8 The Lord said to me, “What do you see, Amos?” I said, “Tin.” The Sovereign One then said, “Look, I am about to place tin among my people Israel. I will no longer overlook their sin.16
7:9 Isaac’s worship centers17 will become desolate;
Israel’s holy places will be in ruins.
I will attack Jeroboam’s dynasty with the sword.”18
Amos Confronts a Priest
7:10 Amaziah the priest of Bethel19 sent this message20 to King Jeroboam of Israel: “Amos is conspiring against you in the very heart of the kingdom of Israel!21 The land cannot endure all his prophecies.22 7:11 As a matter of fact,23 Amos is saying this: ‘Jeroboam will die by the sword and Israel will certainly be carried into exile24 away from its land.’”
7:12 Amaziah then said to Amos, “Leave, you visionary!25 Run away to the land of Judah! Earn money26 and prophesy there! 7:13 Don’t prophesy at Bethel27 any longer, for a royal temple and palace are here!”28
7:14 Amos replied29 to Amaziah, “I was not a prophet by profession.30 No,31 I was a herdsman who also took care of32 sycamore fig trees.33 7:15 Then the Lord took me from tending34 flocks and gave me this commission,35 ‘Go! Prophesy to my people Israel!’ 7:16 So now listen to the Lord’s message! You say, ‘Don’t prophesy against Israel! Don’t preach36 against the family of Isaac!’
7:17 “Therefore this is what the Lord says:
‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the streets37
and your sons and daughters will die violently.38
Your land will be given to others39
and you will die in a foreign40 land.
Israel will certainly be carried into exile41 away from its land.’”
More Visions and Messages of Judgment