He who divided the chapters seems not to have well considered the
Prophet’s argument: for he pursues here his reproof of the rich, and
he had been prophesying against the chief men in the kingdom of
Israel. We indeed know how much ferocity there is in the rich, when
they become formidable to others... [ Continue Reading ]
Here Amos declares what sort of punishment awaited those fat cattle,
who being well fed despised God, and were torpid in their fatness. He
therefore says, that the days were nigh, when they should be taken
away together with all that they had, and all their posterity, as by a
hook of a fisher.
But... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet expresses now, in different words, what would be the
future calamity of that kingdom; but he still speaks of the rich and
the chief men. For though he threatened also the common people and the
multitude, it was not yet needful expressly to name them, inasmuch as
when God fulminates again... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet here again pours contempt on the perverse confidence, in
which the Israelites were become hardened. They thought, indeed, that
their worship was fully approved by God, when they offered Sacrifices
in Bethel and Gilgal. But the Prophet here shows, that the more
sedulously they labored in... [ Continue Reading ]
_And burn incense with the leaven of thank offering _He speaks of
peace-offerings; sacrifices of thanksgiving were wont to be offered
with leaven; but with other sacrifices they presented cakes and
unleavened bread. It was lawful in peace-offerings to offer leaven.
However sedulous, then, the Israel... [ Continue Reading ]
_But I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of
bread in all your borders; and ye turned not to me, saith Jehovah.
_God here expostulates with the people on account of their incurable
perverseness; for he had tried to restore them to the right way, not
only by his word, but also b... [ Continue Reading ]
I have said that another kind of punishment is here recorded by the
Prophet; it is not, however, wholly different: for whence comes the
want we have noticed, except through drought? For when God intends to
deprive men of support, he shuts up heaven and makes it iron, so that
it hears not the earth,... [ Continue Reading ]
Marking the difference, the Prophet relates, that two or three cities
had come to one, to seek drink, and that they were not satisfied,
because the waters failed on account of so large a number: for though
the fountains could have supplied the inhabitants, yet when such a
multitude flowed from every... [ Continue Reading ]
Though one kind of punishment may not convince men, they are yet
thereby proved with sufficient clearness to be guilty before God. But
when in various ways he urges them, and after having tried in vain to
correct them in one way, he has recourse to another, and still effects
nothing, it hence more f... [ Continue Reading ]
God now expostulates with the people, because their perverseness had
not been subdued even by additional punishments; for he had in vain
exhorted and stimulated them to repentance. He says, that they had
been smitten with _pestilence. _The Prophet has hitherto spoken only
of the sterility of the lan... [ Continue Reading ]
Amos proceeds further, and says, that God had used a severity towards
his chosen people similar to that which formerly he showed towards
Sodom and Gomorrah. That, we know, was a memorable evidence of God’s
wrath, which ought to have filled all ages with dread, as it ought
also at this day: and Scrip... [ Continue Reading ]
Amos here declares, in the person of God, that the people in vain
hoped for pardon, or for a modification, or an abatement, or an end to
their punishment; for God had in vain made the attempt, by many
scourges and chastisements, to subdue their extreme arrogance:
_therefore, _he says, _thus will I d... [ Continue Reading ]
We have explained the last verse of the fourth chapter, except that
there remains something to be said of the glorious representation
given of God by the Prophet. He says first, that he had _formed the
mountains then that he had created the spirits, _afterwards that he
_declares to man what is his t... [ Continue Reading ]