The visions Amos saw

Chapters 7-9 are the third section of the Book of Amos, and they record the five visions that Amos saw. These prophesy the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel (the ten tribes). Amos had already prophesied the destruction of the northern kingdom, but the prophecies through the visions in chapters 7-9 were given in order to appeal more strongly to the hearts of the people. (1) It says, “This is what the Lord God showed me” (the same expression appears in 7:1, 4, 7; 8:1). This shows that what Amos speaks does not come from himself, but from God. A servant of the Lord must speak the Lord’s will. If not, that person is a false prophet, a false teacher. (2) The vision he saw was a plague of locusts. The “locusts” symbolize the Assyrian invasion. (3) It says, “when the spring crop began to sprout… after the king’s mowing.” This refers to the time when the portion to be delivered to the king as tribute had been cut, and the people’s share had begun to grow. It was precisely at that time that a great swarm of locusts appeared. (4) The great swarm of locusts was about to devour all the vegetation of the land. If left as it was, the ten tribes would have no choice but to perish. This portrays the great Assyrian army coming to attack.

Intercession by Amos

Having been shown this hopeless vision of what was about to happen, Amos begins to intercede desperately before the Lord. (1) He knows that this disaster is because of the sins committed by the ten tribes. The prayer, “Lord God, please pardon!” is a confession of sin on behalf of the people. (2) The prayer, “How can Jacob stand? For he is small,” is an appeal for God’s mercy. Our prayers too must always appeal to God’s good character (the One who is rich in love and grace). Prayer is heard not because of our fervor, but because of God’s love and grace. (3) It says, “The Lord relented of this. ‘It shall not be,’ said the Lord.” “Relented” is a human expression used to teach the principle by which God deals with us. By His grace, God has determined that if people repent, He will stop (or postpone) judgment. Here, because there was confession of sin and intercession by Amos, the judgment was postponed. Let us also recognize anew the power of intercessory prayer and pray for our homeland, for our families, and for our neighbors. The prayer of a righteous person has great power.