Amos 7:15

7:15 Then the Lord took me from tending ¹  flocks and gave me this commission, ²  ‘Go! Prophesy to my people Israel!’

Amos 3:8

3:8 A lion has roared! ³  Who is not afraid?

The sovereign Lord has spoken! Who can refuse to prophesy? ⁴ 

[7:15]  ¹ tn Heb “from [following] after.”

[7:15]  ² tn Heb “and the Lord said to me.”

[3:8]  ³ sn The roar of the lion is here a metaphor for impending judgment (see 1:2; cf. 3:4, 12). Verses 7-8 justify Amos’ prophetic ministry and message of warning and judgment. The people should expect a prophetic message prior to divine action.

[3:8]  ⁴ sn Who can refuse to prophesy? When a message is revealed, the prophet must speak, and the news of impending judgment should cause people to fear.