Amos 3:7

[mercyngrace]

Traditionally, we use Amos 3:7 to teach about the Prophets having inside knowledge of God's secrets, this being a good reason to follow their counsel. I think there have been some discussions about this verse here on the board and about the word "secret" being a reference to the council of God or gods.

A couple of things jumped out at me today as this verse came up in class that got me wondering about this verse and what else it might mean.

Romans 16:25-26:

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Revelation 19:10:

for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy

The way I read these is that the "secret" is the condescension of God to the salvation of mankind and any inspired, righteous man who has a testimony of Christ is a prophet. The book of Amos tells of a wicked people who have rejected the Lord and strayed from His teachings. In Amos 3, the Lord laments the backsliding of Israel whom he has loved among all the families of the earth. The Lord describes the deafness of His covenant people.

Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

Amos was no Prophet. He was called to cry repentance because there were no "Prophets" who would speak the hard words that needed to be uttered. Describing himself, Amos says:

I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet

[TAO]

Traditionally, we use Amos 3:7 to teach about the Prophets having inside knowledge of God's secrets, this being a good reason to follow their counsel. I think there have been some discussions about this verse here on the board and about the word "secret" being a reference to the council of God or gods.

A couple of things jumped out at me today as this verse came up in class that got me wondering about this verse and what else it might mean.

Romans 16:25-26:

Revelation 19:10:

The way I read these is that the "secret" is the condescension of God to the salvation of mankind and any inspired, righteous man who has a testimony of Christ is a prophet. The book of Amos tells of a wicked people who have rejected the Lord and strayed from His teachings. In Amos 3, the Lord laments the backsliding of Israel whom he has loved among all the families of the earth. The Lord describes the deafness of His covenant people.

Amos was no Prophet. He was called to cry repentance because there were no "Prophets" who would speak the hard words that needed to be uttered. Describing himself, Amos says:

So is the message of Amos 3:7 about following The Prophet? Or about being a servant of the Lord such that He will reveal His secret unto you thus makeing you a prophet?

Another verse that comes to mind in this regard is from John wherein the Lord says that if we do the Father's will, we will know of His doctrine. Thus, if we serve Him, His doctrine/secret is revealed to us.

sidenote: This isn't to suggest that we don't follow The Prophet rather that this verse might not be the best scriptural support of our adherence to prophetic counsel.

I think Amos is still talking about the prophet, but in terms of the other verses, I think it might be referring to the abilities of your own personal revleation... but ya... not sure.

[David T]

I think the insight in this blog post at Heavenly Ascents greatly opens up the meaning of this passage, especially as to what the 'secret' is referring to:

"One of the most interesting words in this verse is the word

[mercyngrace]

I think the insight in this blog post at Heavenly Ascents greatly opens up the meaning of this passage, especially as to what the 'secret' is referring to:

"One of the most interesting words in this verse is the word

[Senator]

Amos was no Prophet. He was called to cry repentance because there were no "Prophets" who would speak the hard words that needed to be uttered.

Just who were the prophets that, Jeremiah for example, was condeming? Where they titled as such strictly due to there ecclesiastical postion?

[volgadon]

Amos was no Prophet. He was called to cry repentance because there were no "Prophets" who would speak the hard words that needed to be uttered. Describing himself, Amos says:

So is the message of Amos 3:7 about following The Prophet? Or about being a servant of the Lord such that He will reveal His secret unto you thus making you a prophet?

Another verse that comes to mind in this regard is from John wherein the Lord says that if we do the Father's will, we will know of His doctrine. Thus, if we serve Him, His doctrine/secret is revealed to us.

sidenote: This isn't to suggest that we don't follow The Prophet rather that this verse might not be the best scriptural support of our adherence to prophetic counsel.

Amos wasn't a professional prophet. The priest sees him as such, tells him to go back to Judah and make a living as a prophet there, but Amos retorts that this isn't a gig for hire, that as a bruiser of sycamore figs he does just fine financially. The only reason he prophecies is because the Lord commanded him to do so.