Product Description

Behind the men who shaped history are the heroes who forever changed it. In The Prophet, the fourth book in the Sons of Encouragement series, beloved author Francine Rivers illuminates the life of Amos. Francine examines the life of Amos and his relationship to Israel during its prosperous years. Amos's message--and his relationship with God--made him unpopular. But his challenge to those who were enjoying the blessings of prosperity was crucial then and is strikingly timely today as well.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35662 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780842382687
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From the Inside Flap

Behind the men who shaped history are the heroes who forever changed it.

With her hallmark touches of brilliant prose and gripping characterizations, Francine Rivers tells the stories of five men who faithfully sought after God in the shadows of God’s chosen leaders.

The Priest
The Warrior
The Prince
The Prophet
The Scribe

These five men answered God’s call to serve Him faithfully without recognition or fame. They gave everything, knowing that their reward might not come until the next life. Be challenged by these faithful men whose stories we must never forget.

From the Back Cover

A man of solitude, who felt at home among the hills.

A man of conviction, who heard when God called.

A man of fortitude, who spoke to a nation unwilling to listen.

The Israelites rebelled against God and were devoured by war. But first they were warned by a prophet who refused to be turned away.

Amos

About the Author
Francine Rivers began her literary career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and journalism. From 1976 to 1985, she had a successful writing career in the general market, and her books were highly acclaimed by readers and reviewers. Although raised in a religious home, Francine did not truly encounter Christ until later in life, when she was already a wife, a mother of three, and an established romance novelist.

Francine and her husband, Rick, live in Northern California and enjoy the time spent with their three grown children and every opportunity to spoil their grandchildren.

Customer Reviews

Bible Stories Made Interesting
I'll admit it. When I read my Bible, I tend to skip the minor prophets. Except for Jonah, I don't think the majority of people can even remember their naems. Luckily Francine Rivers has made Amos into a novel (Book 4 in her Sons of Encouragement series) so we can learn about his story. Amos is a shepherd who is appalled at the way God's people have become in the days after the nation has split. God gives Amos visions of what will happen to the enemies of his people and to his people themselves. When Amos goes to Bethel to tell them, they first rejoice at hearing of the destruction of their enemies but then after hearing what will happen to them, they turn against Amos. Even though near death at times, Amos stays true to his word warning the people to repent and leave the ways of the false gods and priests. The people don't listen and God sends down his punishments.

I liked how the story could be related to people in today's world. If we're not careful we'll end up just like the kingdom of Israel. Another thing I liked was the cameo of Hosea, another prophet, here as a young man. His story is hinted at and can be told fully in as a parable in another of River's books, Reedeming Love. This book is recommended if you have trouble understanding the book of Amos. It's amazing how fiction makes historical and biblical event more clear.

delightful biblical biographical fiction
The sacrifice demanded by the Priests required using only the best most perfect sheep; yet though a child he is confused and somewhat appalled to observe his family insures that a flawed animal is given to the Priest. He wonders why as his father and older brothers tell him to keep quiet; they state why give away a perfect animal for sacrifice when damaged goods will do the trick. Amos does not understand as during this period of plenty his family has prospered. He concludes his family and the priests have cheated God; soon he believes a day of reckoning will come for those who prosper from their ill gains.

As he grows into adulthood, Amos sees more practices that disturb him. He detests the necessary trips to Jerusalem where he notices that even the Priests break the holiest of laws and only finds comfort tending his flock. God sends him to Bethel, a place he loathes more than Jerusalem. His mission to spread the message that these may be the good times thanks to the Lord, but they will end if the people continue to break the Torah. Amos does his Lord's bidding though he knows before he begins that the message will make him a pariah.

The fourth Sons of Encouragement biblical biographical fiction (see THE PRINCE, THE WARRIOR and THE PRIEST) is a delightful look at the fascinating Amos, whose message is rejected by those he tries to reach. Labeled a "minor prophet", he talks of gloom and doom judgment day coming (an early democrat) to the Northern Kingdom of Samaria during a time when the ecomony was expanding by selling the torah's values under the label of growth (an early republican). Readers will appreciate his message that still holds true today.

Harriet Klausner

4th in Sons of Encouragement series
The Prophet by Francine Rivers is the fourth book in the Sons of Encouragement series and features the story of Amos, the Old Testament prophet. I don't know much about Amos' history, so I'm unsure of how much is fiction within this book, but the story follows Amos from shepherd in hills of Judah to condemning prophet in the kingdom of Israel and back to shepherd. Amos suffers much from being a prophet: beatings, hunger, even his brothers turn their backs on him. I've read the other books in the series, and I was a little disappointed in this one. The beginning of the book with Amos as a shepherd shines. Reading about his loving care for his sheep gave me new understanding of Jesus as my shepherd, and I was deeply moved. But the radical transformation to wild-eyed prophet wasn't handled as well. I kept waiting to connect with Amos the Prophet the way I had with Amos the Shepherd, but the connection never happened.