Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, "Amos has conspired against you in the very center of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said, 'Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his land.'"

And Amaziah said to Amos, "O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom."

Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.""

Amos 7:10-15

As we grow older we become set in our ways, and sometimes we are unwilling to admit when we are wrong. When we disagree with others, we question their motives, as if they are not entitled to their own beliefs. This type of criticism happened to Amos. The prophet was teaching a tough message about God's judgment of Israel. His message was unpopular. Amaziah accused him of being a prophet for hire and suggested he go elsewhere. If we are preaching or teaching, we must faithfully serve the LORD as Amos did, even if the task is unpleasant, unpopular or rejected.

Never fear criticism when you are right;

never ignore it when you are wrong.

Our Daily Bread - November 16, 2003