Amo 7:2-3 | KingComments | STEP | Amos speaks to the LORD with the freedom of one who has a confidential relationship with Him. He points out to the “Lord GOD” ( Adonai Yahweh ) that the punishment is very heavy, for this “worm Jacob” ( ). Here we see the other side of Amos. The fearless preacher, who speaks harshly to the people, lifts up his big herdsman’s hands here to God pleading for the benefit of his people to spare them. In the face of the people he roars, before the face of God he struggles and begs. He does not see the people now in comparison with other peoples; then they feel themselves to be quite strong. He sees them in connection with God, and how small and sinful they are then. With the words “he is small” Amos speaks a completely different language than the prickly ones who boast on their own strength ( ). He calls the people here “Jacob”, by which he indicates that they are a people of sinners, but also the people to whom God has wanted to connect His Name. Prophets pray to God for those to whom they prophesy in God’s name. It is a great privilege that God shows us what He is planning. At the same time, it also gives us a great responsibility. It brings Amos to preach and intercede. This must also be the effect on us in everything we may know about God’s plans. We can learn a lot from those with whom we see this effect, such as Abraham ( ), Moses ( ), Samuel ( ), Jeremiah ( ), Ezekiel ( ) and Joel ( ).

‏ Amos 7:2-3

Intercession

Amos speaks to the LORD with the freedom of one who has a confidential relationship with Him. He points out to the “Lord GOD” (Adonai Yahweh) that the punishment is very heavy, for this “worm Jacob” (Isa 41:14). Here we see the other side of Amos. The fearless preacher, who speaks harshly to the people, lifts up his big herdsman’s hands here to God pleading for the benefit of his people to spare them. In the face of the people he roars, before the face of God he struggles and begs.

He does not see the people now in comparison with other peoples; then they feel themselves to be quite strong. He sees them in connection with God, and how small and sinful they are then. With the words “he is small” Amos speaks a completely different language than the prickly ones who boast on their own strength (Amos 6:13). He calls the people here “Jacob”, by which he indicates that they are a people of sinners, but also the people to whom God has wanted to connect His Name.

Prophets pray to God for those to whom they prophesy in God’s name. It is a great privilege that God shows us what He is planning. At the same time, it also gives us a great responsibility. It brings Amos to preach and intercede. This must also be the effect on us in everything we may know about God’s plans. We can learn a lot from those with whom we see this effect, such as Abraham (Gen 20:7), Moses (Exo 17:8-13 ; Exo 32:30-31), Samuel (1Sam 7:8 ; 1Sam 15:25), Jeremiah (Jer 15:1), Ezekiel (Eze 9:8) and Joel (Joel 1:19).

Effect of Intercession

In His sovereignty the LORD listens to the prayer of His servant and gives it a place in the progress of His work. He does not forgive – forgiveness is only possible after confession – but does not carry out this punishment. He ‘changes His mind about this’ or He ‘repents’ (Darby Translation). He is not the unrelenting God, the God of stone. Not that He changes His plans, but He changes the way He carries them out. God’s repentance has never to do with a wrong decision He would have made, but with a change in the way He works out His right and irrevocable decision.

What a blessing are intercessors for the people, possibly even without the people being aware of it. What an encouragement to intercede. Love for God and His people manifests itself especially in intercessory prayer. Intercession is not done by people who believe that everything is fixed and that God cannot change His mind after all. Real intercession is also not done by people who believe that you can manipulate God through prayer. Then we would get the impression that we, humans, know better than God.

God knows everything in advance. There are no surprises for Him. In His plans He takes into account the intercession of His people. God expects from His children the greatest possible involvement in what He is planning. That is why He has informed them extensively about this. All His information can be found in His Word. That is why reading and studying His Word is an absolute condition to become an intercessor.