Sharper Iron — The Day Is Surely Drawing Near: Amos Defends His Ministry

Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and Crown Christian School in St. Francis, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Amos 3:3-8.

As Amos finished preaching the LORD’s judgment against Israel, they must have asked, “What gives this sheepherder from Tekoa the right to speak to us?” Amos answers that question through a series of rhetorical questions. Each one presents a situation to which there is an obvious answer, and Amos builds toward his goal as a master of rhetoric. Two people agree to walk together. They hear a roaring lion because he has caught and killed his prey. They see a bird caught in a snare. They hear the trumpet blown in the city, announcing the enemy’s arrival. The truth that Amos drives home to Israel is this: the LORD is coming as their enemy to bring disaster upon them because they have broken His covenant with them. He desires that they know that this is not a random occurrence. This is His alien work among them by which He desires to bring them to repentance so that He might do His proper work of saving by the Gospel. That is why He has sent Amos as His prophet. Amos announces to Israel what the LORD has revealed to him in the heavenly council. Amos speaks not on his own authority, but on the LORD’s. For that reason, he must speak the LORD’s Word. Just as Amos must preach, so Israel must listen to the LORD’s roar. His voice calls to them as it calls to us sinners still: repent and believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ.

“The Day Is Surely Drawing Near” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the book of Amos. This Old Testament prophet speaks the LORD’s roaring Word in order to call us first to repentance over our idolatry and injustice and second to faith in the Messiah in the line of David, Jesus Christ. Only through faith in Him will we stand forgiven and redeemed on the coming Day of the LORD.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Amos 3:3-8

³“Do two walk together,
    unless they have agreed to meet?
⁴Does a lion roar in the forest,
    when he has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out from his den,
    if he has taken nothing?
⁵Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth,
    when there is no trap for it?
Does a snare spring up from the ground,
    when it has taken nothing?
⁶Is a trumpet blown in a city,
    and the people are not afraid?
Does disaster come to a city,
    unless the Lord has done it?

⁷“For the Lord God does nothing
    without revealing his secret
    to his servants the prophets.
⁸The lion has roared;
    who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken;
    who can but prophesy?”

English Standard Version (ESV)

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).