AMOS CHAPTER 7 The judgment of the grasshoppers, AMOS 7:1, and of the fire, are diverted by the intercession of Amos, AMOS 7:4. By a wall and plumbline is signified the desolation of Israel, AMOS 7:7. Amaziah complaineth of Amos, and forbiddeth him to prophesy at Beth-el, AMOS 7:10. Amos showeth his... [ Continue Reading ]
Either visionally, the whole scheme represented both locusts, grass, herbs, and corn, and it represented the grass as almost all eaten up, and the locusts ready to fall upon the corn, and all that remained. Or else really, it was acted, and the grass was devoured. Though the former seems most likely... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD REPENTED; this, spoke after the manner of man, is to be understood as becomes the immutability and omniscience of God; what a man when he repenteth doth, desisting front the thing, so God, desisting or suspending his own act, doth tell us he repenteth. IT SHALL NOT BE: this explains the for... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS HATH THE LORD GOD SHOWED, _ in vision or hieroglyphic:_ see AMOS 7:1. AND, BEHOLD: see AMOS 7:1. CALLED TO CONTEND BY FIRE; declared he would judge as by fire: literally, say some, God would from heaven by fire punish. Others say metaphorically, by drought which should scorch up all fruits of t... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
These two verses are almost word for word the same with AMOS 7:2,3, which see.... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS HE SHEWED ME: AND, BEHOLD: see AMOS 7:1. THE LORD; the great God, who had long tried Israel, and often spared. STOOD UPON A WALL; possibly it may denote his fixed purpose now to proceed to demolish this state. MADE BY A PLUMBLINE; strongly, regularly, and beautifully built, as art could build i... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD, who did before show Amos the emblem in landscape or vision. WHAT SEEST THOU? this God asketh not as if he were ignorant what Amos saw, or as if he would be informed whether he saw aright, but it is introductory to what follows. A PLUMBLINE; or perpendicular, to which masons first build and... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HIGH PLACES; the temples on high mountains built to idols, or for the worship of God, though he forbade them. Of Isaac: the father is here named, but his children are intended, all the seed of Isaac. I cannot, though some do, think the prophet alludes to Isaac's being offered upon a high mountai... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN; after that Amos had expressly and peremptorily foretold the ruin of idolatry and kingdom of Israel for their sins. Amaziah: it appears not what family he was of, nor is it much material we should know; it is probable he might be of some mean family, or possibly an apostate priest of the tribe... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS AMOS SAITH; so Amaziah falsely reports the prophet. JEROBOAM SHALL DIE BY THE SWORD: he no where said so, nor did he insinuate so much, but spake of his house distinguished from his person, as AMOS 7:9. ISRAEL SHALL SURELY BE LED AWAY CAPTIVE: this indeed he foretold, but did no more contribute... [ Continue Reading ]
ALSO AMAZIAH SAID UNTO AMOS: it is probable enough that this arch-priest of Beth-el did send this advice, or gave it to the prophet so soon as he had accused the prophet to Jeroboam; and perhaps he thus intended to insinuate a great good-will towards the prophet, presuming the prophet knew nothing t... [ Continue Reading ]
Prophesy not again any more at Beth-el; as a friend I advise thou do not, and as having authority from the king, I do declare thou shalt not, prophesy in Beth-el. FOR IT IS THE KING'S CHAPEL, where I am by the king's authority empowered to give license, or impose silence, and to see that none but fi... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN ANSWERED AMOS: so soon as this false accuser had under the vizard of friendship given advice, and withal intimated his resolution to use his authority to make Amos desist if he did not do it voluntarily, Amos gives him answer readily, boldly, and yet smoothly, and outshoots the court pontiff in... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD, the great and jealous God, whom you oppose by idols, took me; by an extraordinary power of his Spirit took me off from my old, mean, and private employment and recess, and I could not withstand him. AS I FOLLOWED THE FLOCK; a description of a shepherd's employment. THE LORD SAID UNTO ME; c... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW; when forbidden, Amos, undaunted, prophesieth to him that forbade him. HEAR THOU, Amaziah, who hast accused, yet pretendest to wish and advise my safety, the word of the Lord, who sent me, whom thou contradictest; from him I have somewhat to say to thee, and of much concern also to thee. THOU SA... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE; because thou hast so directly and strenuously opposed the Lord. THY WIFE SHALL BE A HARLOT, which to a man of sense is a great affliction. A HARLOT; a common whore. In the city; a notorious one, that plays not the adulteress in secret at home, but so that all take notice of it, and brand... [ Continue Reading ]