By Janice Gentles-Jones

Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

Before he became a prophet, Amos was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. He made his living as a shepherd but was called by God to ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Israel was once again living in disobedience to God. In obedience, Amos left his home and occupation to warn them of God’s impending judgement. 

The Bible does not tell us how Amos felt about being chosen as a prophet, but his actions showed that no matter what he felt, he would be obedient to God’s command.

While we may not be called to be a prophet, we are called to be obedient to God’s commands. The same God who required obedience from the Israelites, requires it from us too. 

There are many passages that speak of obedience and often they tell of the reward for obedience and the punishment for disobedience. Now we do not know what reward Amos received for his obedience, but we do know that God exercised judgement on Israel for their disobedience.

Disobedience leads to death, but obedience leads to life and so much more. John 8:51 tells us, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” Jesus says in John 14:23, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” Finally, in John 15:10-12, Jesus says, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

The real reward of obedience is joy, love, life and an eternal home with Jesus. Let us choose obedience each day for the reward is good.