Daily Devotions
Amos
"Oh, Lord GOD, forgive, I pray"
Text: Amos 7:2
AMOS AS AN INTERCESSOR
The role of a prophet was more than being a messenger of the Lord. All significant servants of God had learned how to be effective intercessors. Amos understood the vision and swiftly responded.
“And so it was, when they had finished
eating the grass of the land, that I said:
‘O, Lord GOD, forgive, I pray!
Oh, that Jacob may stand,
For he is small!’
So the LORD relented concerning this.
‘It shall not be,’ said the LORD.”
Amos 7:2-3
1. “And so it was, when they had finished eating the grass of the land, that I said”
a) Amos saw the entire vision.
i) The forming of the locust swarm.
ii) The descent of the swarm on the land.
iii) The devastation caused by the plague of locusts.
b) Commencement of Amos’ intercessory prayer.
i) His plea was made most humbly.
ii) He cried out in acknowledgment of who God was.
iii) He was the Sovereign Lord God.
iv) His sovereign right to bring on this plague was acknowledged.
c) The content of his intercessory prayer.
i) To seek forgiveness.
ii) There was no defence of Israel’s sinfulness.
iii) The forgiveness of God was sought.
iv) This was similar to the prayer that Moses made for Israel when it worshiped a golden calf (Exodus 32).
d) “Oh, that Jacob may stand, for he is small”
i) Amos pleaded for mercy.
ii) He used the word “Jacob” with intention.
iii) The original Jacob had sinned badly too, and the Lord had been most merciful.
Would God not forgive Jacob (Israel) for he was indeed but a small and weak nation?
2. “So the LORD relented concerning this. ‘It shall not be,’ said the LORD”
Amos’ prayer was heard and answered. God was willing to withdraw the intended plague that would have devastated the land of Israel.