SECTION A: THEMES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT
(a) l am no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I am a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees...give an account of the events that led to this statement.
(b) ldentify three reasons for which people complain about the activities of some men of God today.
A. AMOS' ENCOUNTER WITH AMAZIAH (AMOS 7:10-17)
i. Amos was a shepherd in Judah whom God called to prophesy in Israel.
ii. He spoke against the social and religious malpractices of the Israelites of his day.
iii. Amaziah, the priest at Bethel, reported Amos to the king of Israel, Jeroboam l, accusing him of conspiracy and treason.
iv. According to Amaziah, Amos had prophesied that the king of Israel would go into exile.
v. Amaziah then met Amos who had told him that he was forbidden to speak against the king and the temple.
vi, Amaziah misconstrued Amos for one of the many false prophets of the time and called him a seer (a professional prophet who prophesies for a living).
vi. Amaziah commanded Amos to return to Judah, his home town to prophesy and earn a living there and never again at Bethel.
vii. This was because Bethel was the King's sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom.
ix. Amos disassociated himself from the wrong impression created about him by Amaziah.
x. He told Amaziah that the Lord called him to prophesy in Israel while he was tending his flock and dressing the sycamore trees.
xi. And for challenging him, Amos told Amaziah that his wife would become a harlot in the city and his sons shall fall by the sword and he Amaziah would die in exile.
B.WHY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF SOME MEN OF GOD
i. Use of occultic/magical powers.
ii. Commercialisation of the gospel/extortion.
iii. Discrimination against the p0or and underprivileged.
iv. Immorality/ immoral lives.
v. False doctrines.
vi. False prophecies/ not trustworthy.
vii. Lack of adequate education.
vii. Embezzlement/ misappropriation of funds.
ix. Over-emphasis on prosperity messages above salvation and redemption.
x. Political alignment.
xi. Display of wealth and opulence.
xi. Mismanagement of church resources.
xii. Abuse of power and position.
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