Think about the message, not the messenger (Thursday, Week 13, Year II)

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Amos was a sycamore tree dresser and a herdsmen/shepherd, from Judah (the Southern Kingdom of Israel) called and commissioned as a prophet to speak against social injustice in Samaria (the Northern Kingdom of Israel) where Jeroboam was the king and Amaziah the priest. Amaziah the priest felt intimidated by the presence and words of Prophet Amos, despised him and told him to flee to the land of Judah and prophesy there, probably because he (Amaziah) felt that Amos, being a sycamore dresser, was not qualified to prophesy. But appearances can be deceptive.

Jesus faced a similar situation in his own city where he was well known as a poor carpenter, as a mere man. When he healed and forgave the sins of the paralytic, his people (the scribes) accused Him of blasphemy, for it is only God that can forgive sins not man. They did not know that Jesus’ divine nature, power and greatness were hidden in his poor human appearance. Appearances can be deceptive.

In our world, people and things are often valued not for who/what they are, but for who/what they appear to be. And sometimes we are quick to forget that God can use anything or any person to communicate His truth. Even a mad person can serve as a vehicle for God’s presence. Truth can come from anything or any person no matter how insignificant the thing or the person may be. Let us always appreciate the truth irrespective of the vessel through which it is communicated.  

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