Who Was Amos?
When we are at labor
on the second degree, the Bible is opened on our alters to Amos
7:7
“Thus he shewed me:
and behold the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a
plumbline in his hand. And the Lord said unto me, Amos what seest
thou? And I said a plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold I will
set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not
again pass by them any more.”
Many Masons wonder
why this scripture? Simple; it includes a Masonic working tool,
the plumb, and makes us feel good that the Lord will never pass
us by again---we are safe and secure in His protection forever!
But we should have
read the very next line in this scripture:
“And the high places
of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall
be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with
the sword.”
What is going on here? Who
was Amos and why is God predicting horrible things for the
children of Israel under King Jeroboam II?
Amos lived somewhere
between 753 to 793 BC. At that time Israel was divided into two
kingdoms (Israel in the North and Judah in the South). Amos was
from Judah and says he was a herdsman and a gatherer of sycamore
fruit. However his language was highly polished and few simple
shepherds would have a knowledge and interest in the world beyond
their region. Amos uses the word (noqed) "Royal sheep
Farmer” which clearly suggests a herd owner. In 2 Kings 3:4
King Mesha of Moab is also called a (noqed). He was able to give
tribute of thousands of animals.
Israel was greedy, and
taxed, oppressed, and exploited the poor of the land. The rich
even used their money to bribe judges and political officials, to
the disadvantage of the poor.
Baal-worship was
also popular in Israel. It was prospering under Jeroboam II as
never before.
The Lord said,
“I hate, I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your
solemn assemblies. Even though you offer up to me burnt offerings
and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; and I will not
even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings.”
For these reasons Amos
was called by God to warn the Israelites of God’s wrath. Two
times God told Amos of His plan of retribution and twice Amos
talked Him out of it.
“Thus hath the
Lord God shewed unto me; and, behold, He formed grasshoppers in
the beginning of the latter growth.” ……. And Amos
said,“O Lord God forgive I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob
arise? For he is small.”
“Thus hath the
Lord God shewed me: and behold, the Lord called to contend by
fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a
part.”
Amos said, “O
Lord God, cease, I beseech the: by whom shall Jacob arise? For he
is small.”
Recall Jacob was given
the name Israel when he wrestled with God. So Jacob means Israel.
The Lord repented for
both of these: ”These shall not be,” saith the Lord
God.
But when God announced
the third strike, he simply said he would set a plumb line in the
mist of the people. If they did not walk uprightly, he would not
forgive (pass by) them again. Amos did not argue this time, and
it came to pass that several years later the ten tribes of Israel
were led away into Assyrian captivity!
So, Amos 7:7 is a
threat! Don’t take comfort that the Lord will not again pass
by us anymore, but strive to walk uprightly by the plumb!!
May the blessing of
Heaven rest upon you and all regular Freemasons.
Gunnar Carlson
Grand Chaplain