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Book of Amos - Chapter 7 - Verse 10

7:10
Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.

Meaning

In this verse, we see the priest of Bethel, Amaziah, sending word to King Jeroboam of Israel, accusing the prophet Amos of conspiring against him. This indicates a significant tension between the religious authorities represented by the priest of Bethel and the prophetic voices like Amos. Amaziah is essentially telling the king that Amos is speaking against the king and the nation, causing unrest and discord. The priest is concerned about the impact of Amos' words on the stability of the land, implying that the prophet's messages are stirring up trouble and challenging the existing power structures. This verse highlights the clash between the religious establishment and the prophetic tradition, as well as the political implications of prophetic critique. It sets the stage for the confrontation between Amos and the powers that be, revealing the prophet's courage in speaking truth to power despite the risks involved.

Theological Overview

In this verse, we see the priest of Bethel, Amaziah, sending a message to King Jeroboam of Israel, accusing the prophet Amos of conspiring against him. The theological interpretation of this verse reveals the tension between true prophecy and false prophets in Israel during this time. Amaziah, as a representative of the corrupt religious establishment in Bethel, was threatened by the words of Amos, a true prophet sent by God to warn the people of Israel. The word study of "conspired" in this context sheds light on the manipulative actions taken by Amaziah to discredit Amos and protect his own position of power. The phrase "the land is not able to bear all his words" points to the discomfort and unease caused by Amos's bold declarations of God's judgment. Through this verse, we are reminded of the importance of discerning true prophecy from false teachings and standing firm in the face of opposition for the sake of God's truth.

American Standard Version

Then Amaziah the priest of Beth-el sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.
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