Amos’s Occupation

Amos’s Occupation

Q: What was Amos’s job?

• a. doctor
• b. fisherman
• c. shepherd

Amos wasn’t specially trained to be a prophet. He wasn’t the son of a prophet or a priest. In fact, he was a shepherd. And he grew figs. By human standards, he may not have been a likely candidate to be a prophet, but he was listening to God and willing to be used. Amos wrote the book of the Bible that shares his name.

Amos wasn’t the only person God used who didn’t have special training. Moses, Hosea, and Amos were shepherds, although for a while Moses was also a prince in Egypt. David was also a shepherd before he became king. Andrew, Peter, James, and John were fishermen. Paul was a tentmaker. Matthew was a tax collector. Joshua was a military leader, and Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king. God called people in many positions to help do his work, whether it was preaching, prophesying, or writing a book of the Bible.

God chooses people who are willing to serve him. They may be plumbers, cashiers, teachers, nurses, garbage collectors, electricians, and even students still in school. He puts them in the right place at the right time to do a job for him. God doesn’t look at their credentials, only their hearts. When God looks at your heart, does he find you willing and ready to serve?

For You

God doesn’t look at your math grade or your singing ability to decide if you can serve him. He doesn’t look at test scores and IQs to find the best person for a job. He looks at your obedience to him and your desire to serve. If you are willing and ready, God will use you. Look around for the opportunities he sends your way today.

Answer: c

This message was given to Amos, a shepherd from the town of Tekoa in Judah. He received this message in visions two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam II, the son of Jehoash, was king of Israel.   Amos 1:1

(The Whole Story: Amos 1:1-2)