The Prophet: Amos (Sons of Encouragement Series #4) Book

The cover of this book alone exhibits the emotions I felt when reading it. God has truly blessed Francine Rivers with the gift of putting emotions into a written story. Biblical fiction, when written rightly with the right intentions, helps make the stories of the Bible come to life. This isn't to take away from what God reveals to us when we seek Him in His Word but I believe God gifted some with the ability to write stories that help the reader relate to the humanity and those God used. And this is exactly what Francine did with this story of Amos.

Amos was a shepherd by trade. He was not educated by the scribes and priests of his time though he was an intelligent man. This story of Amos reveals the great lengths a good shepherd goes through to protect his flock as it parallels the lengths Christ as the Good Shepherd went through for His flock of sheep. At one point in the story Amos must intentionally injure one of his little lambs in order to protect the flock because it kept wandering putting the whole flock at risk.

"It's this or death, little one." Amos took a stone from his pouch, weighing it in his hand. Too heavy and it would kill the lamb; too light and it would not serve to discipline him... Tears burning, Amos went to the wounded lamb and knelt, 'I am here, little one. I would rather wound you myself than see you come to greater harm.'....'You belong with the flock, not out here on your own where death will find you.' He ran his hand gently over the lamb's head. 'You will learn to stay close to me where you're safe.'...Amos sat on a flat rock that gave him a full view of the pasture. Lifting the lamb from his shoulders, he held it close. 'You will learn to trust me and not think you can find better forage on your own. I will lead you to green pastures and still waters.' He took a few grains of wheat from the scrip he wore at his waist and shared his food with the lamb. 'Sometimes I must wound in order to protect.' He smiled as the lamb ate from his hand. 'You will learn get used to my voice and come when I call.' He rubbed the notch in the lamb's ear. 'You bear my mark, little one. You are mine. Let me take care of you.'

The story of Amos being a shepherd isn't detailed in the Bible but the author of this book gives a descriptive point of view of what it meant to be a good shepherd of Amos' time so that we can understand how Christ came to be the Good Shepherd and also how Amos came to see God's people as God's flock.

As Amos came to see the sinful pride God's sheep lived day to day, God softened Amos' heart so that Amos grew to love God's sheep as he had loved his own. In the story, you experience Amos' heartache as he sees the people reject his warning to repent. Amos' knew what would come if they didn't repent. God had revealed to him the destruction of judgment He would pour out on Israel if they didn't repent and Amos' heart broke for the people.

"Amos cried, weary, heartsick. A year ago, he wouldn't have cared about what happened to these people. And then he had prayed and God answered. Now he cares so much that his heart broke every time he thought of Jerusalem, every time he entered the gates of Bethel, every time he looked into the faces of the people who could not stand before the judgment of a righteous God, least of all he. God was holding the nations accountable for what they'd done against His people, but the Lord would also hold His people accountable for the way they live before nations."

I cried, throughout the whole book. What conviction to know that I, too, am an Israelite in need of repentance yet I'm also called to be an Amos among God's sheep. I am to love in truth no matter the cost.

The Bible doesn't tell of Amos' death but history tells of a violent death at the hands of Jeroboam II. The story ends with Amos' death and in his death, The Good Shepherd takes him home.

When reading Biblical fiction stories, the reader needs to understand that the story is built around Biblical facts with a mix of cultural history of the time. Not all details and descriptions are Biblical fact though the event is...Amos was a prophet who was sent by God to Israel to warn of God's judgment that was to come if they didn't repent of their sins. The story around Amos' daily life is fictional based on the culture of the time.

I will be using this book as a read aloud with my sons. It presents wonderful discussion opportunities that are relevant to our lives of today. There are elements of mild gore from the physical persecution Amos suffered at the hands of the high priest he prophesied to. The priest of the time saw Amos' prophecy as blasphemy against them...revealing of the just how corrupt God's people had become.

5 Stars. I consider this a must read as a book to help the Bible come to life and further reveal Christ's love for us.