Book of Amos - Chapter 7 - Verse 12

In this verse from the book of Amos, we see the interaction between Amaziah, a priest in Israel, and Amos, a prophet sent by God to deliver a message to the people. Amaziah refers to Amos as a "seer," indicating that he acknowledges his ability to see visions and receive divine messages. However, instead of accepting the message that Amos brings, Amaziah instructs him to go back to his homeland of Judah and prophesy there. This request can be seen as an attempt to silence Amos and prevent him from delivering a message that may be unfavorable or challenging to the ruling powers in Israel. It reflects a common theme throughout the Bible of prophets facing resistance and persecution when delivering messages that challenge the status quo or call for repentance. Despite the pressure from Amaziah, Amos remains faithful to his calling and continues to prophesy in Israel, regardless of the consequences.

In this verse from the book of Amos, we see Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, instructing the prophet Amos to flee to Judah. The word "seer" used to address Amos in this verse is significant as it signifies a prophet who sees the future and receives divine revelations. This epithet highlights Amos' role as a messenger of God, chosen to deliver His word to the people. By telling Amos to go to Judah, Amaziah is essentially telling him to leave Israel, where he may face persecution for his prophecies. The mention of eating bread in Judah underscores the fact that Amaziah thinks of Amos as an outsider who should not be meddling in the affairs of Bethel. Despite the instructions given by Amaziah, Amos remains faithful to his calling to prophesy the word of the Lord, no matter where he is, demonstrating his dedication to fulfilling God's will. This verse serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by prophets in speaking truth to power and the importance of remaining steadfast in one's faith despite opposition.