Daily Devotions
Amos
"I raised up some of your sons as prophets"
Text: Amos 2:11
GOD’S PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT
The hand of the Lord in the history of Israel was remarkable. He was there to lead the young nation. He was there to fight for His people and to establish them in the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 1:29-33). He was also there in raising up His servants, the prophets.
“‘I raised up some of your sons as prophets,
And some of your young men as Nazirites.
Is it not so, O you children of Israel?’
Says the LORD.”
Amos 2:11
1. “I raised up some of your sons as prophets”
a) Not all were chosen to be prophets.
b) But all who were true prophets were personally groomed by the Lord.
2. A clear example of how God raised up His prophets
a) Jeremiah would be a great example.
b) He was from a priestly family (Jeremiah 1:1).
c) Instead of being a priest God raised him to be a prophet instead.
d) The work of training a prophet:
i) Instruction through dreams and visions.
ii) Explanation from the Lord.
iii) The Call to proclaim the word of God that was understood.
iv) Much suffering was involved.
v) It would take much faith and courage to succeed as a prophet.
vi) Jeremiah stood out as a mighty prophet of God.
3. “And some of your young men as Nazirites”
a) A Nazirite was a person who had taken special vows (Numbers 6).
b) He separates himself for the Lord’s use for a specific period of time.
c) During this time he must abstain from the following:
i) Wine and anything associated with the grapevine.
ii) He is not allowed to cut his hair too.
iii) He is to be holy (ceremonially and spiritually).
4. “Is it not so, O you children of Israel”
This was a rhetorical question. There was no denying the Lord’s hand of involvement in the raising up of special servants of God, the prophets and the Nazirites!