By far the greater number of those who heard these invitations refused to profit by them. So contrary to the evil desires of the impenitent were the words of God's messengers, that the idolatrous priest at Bethel sent to the ruler in Israel, saying, "Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words." Amos 7:10.

Men det overvejende flertal af dem, der hørte disse indbydelser, afslog dem. Modsætningen mellem de ubodfærdiges onde interesser og Guds sendebuds ord var så stor, at afgudspræsten i Betel sendte bud til Israels konge og lod sige: "Amos stifter en sammensværgelse imod dig midt i Israels hus; landet kan ikke bære alle hans ord," Amos. 7,10.