How does Amos 7:16 connect to Jesus' call to be salt and light? Setting the Scene in Amos 7:16 “Now therefore hear the word of the LORD: You say, ‘Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not preach against the house of Isaac.’ ” (Amos 7:16) • Amos stands before Amaziah the priest of Bethel, who wants the prophet’s voice muzzled. • The northern kingdom has embraced idolatry and injustice. Amos refuses to stay silent because God’s word is truth, light, and life for the nation. Silencing Truth vs. Speaking Out • Amaziah’s command—“Do not prophesy… do not preach”—echoes every age’s attempt to snuff out divine truth. • Amos embodies uncompromising obedience; he speaks even when pressured to blend in. • His stance previews the role Jesus assigns His followers: a visible, preserving, truth-telling presence. Jesus and the Metaphor of Salt & Light “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden… let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16) • Salt preserves what would otherwise decay. • Light exposes what lies in darkness and guides toward safety. • Christ assumes His disciples will be seen and heard, not tucked away or silent. Shared Threads between Amos 7:16 and Jesus’ Charge • Commitment to Speak: – Amos: “hear the word of the LORD.” – Disciples: “let your light shine.” • Confronting Cultural Decay: – Amos indicts corruption in Israel. – Salt arrests moral rot in society. • Visibility in Hostile Settings: – Amos prophesies at an idolatrous royal sanctuary. – Light shines “before men,” including those who resent it (John 3:19-20). • God-Centered Motive: – Amos speaks because the LORD has sent him (Amos 7:15). – Believers shine so others “glorify your Father in heaven.” Practical Takeaways for Today • Expect resistance when truth confronts sin; speak anyway (Acts 4:18-20). • Preserve biblical standards in homes, workplaces, and communities—salt works only when applied. • Live openly for Christ; hiding dim light helps no one (Philippians 2:15). • Anchor every word and action in God’s authority, not personal opinion (2 Timothy 4:2). Living as Courageous Prophetic Witnesses Amos’ refusal to be silenced anticipates Jesus’ insistence that His followers influence the world. The prophet and the Savior together call believers to unashamed proclamation, preservative holiness, and radiant visibility—no matter who says, “Do not prophesy.” |
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