INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 2 In this chapter the prophet foretells the calamities that should come upon the Moabites for their transgressions, Amos 2:1; and the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem for their iniquities, Amos 2:4; also the judgments of God that should come upon Israel the ten tribes for the... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS SAITH THE LORD, FOR THREE TRANSGRESSIONS OF MOAB,.... Or the Moabites, who descended from the eldest son of Lot, by one of his daughters; and, though related, were great enemies to the Israelites; they sent for Balaam to curse them when on their borders, and greatly oppressed them in the times... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I WILL SEND A FIRE UPON MOAB,.... Either on the whole country, or on some particular city so called, as in all the other prophecies; and there was a city called Moab, now Areopolis, Jeremiah 48:4; though it may be put for the whole country, into which an enemy should be sent to destroy it, even... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL CUT OFF THE JUDGE FROM THE MIDST THEREOF,.... Either from the midst of Moab, the country in general; or from Kerioth in particular, so Kimchi; meaning their principal governor, their king, as Aben Ezra; for kings sometimes have acted as judges, took the bench, and sat and administered jus... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS SAITH THE LORD, FOR THREE TRANSGRESSIONS OF JUDAH,.... With whom Benjamin must be joined; for the two tribes are meant as distinct from the ten tribes, under the name of Israel, following. The prophet proceeds from the Heathens round about to the people of God themselves, for the ill usage of w... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I WILL SEND A FIRE UPON JUDAH,.... An enemy, Nebuchadnezzar, who should burn, waste, and destroy, all that were in his way: AND IT SHALL DEVOUR THE PALACES OF JERUSALEM; the chief city of Judah, the royal city, where stood the temple, the palace of the most High, and the palaces of the king and... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS SAITH THE LORD, FOR THREE TRANSGRESSIONS OF ISRAEL,.... The ten tribes rent from the house of David in the times of Rehoboam, and who departed from the true worship of God, and set up calves at Dan and Bethel: AND FOR FOUR, I WILL NOT TURN AWAY [THE PUNISHMENT] THEREOF; the following part of t... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT PANT AFTER THE DUST OF THE EARTH ON THE HEAD OF THE POOR,.... Either were greedy after money, the dust of the earth, and even that small portion of it the poor were possessed of; they could not be easy that they should enjoy that little of it they did, but were desirous to get it out of their h... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY LAID [THEMSELVES] DOWN UPON CLOTHES LAID TO PLEDGE BY EVERY ALTAR,.... That is, the clothes they took in pledge of poor people, which they should have restored before sun setting, Exodus 22:26; these they spread by every altar, of which they had many erected to their idols, and on these as... [ Continue Reading ]
YET DESTROYED I THE AMORITE BEFORE THEM,.... Here the Lord by the prophet reckons up the many favours and blessings he had bestowed upon Israel, which was an aggravation of their sins, and showed them to be guilty of great ingratitude, and a justification of him in his punishment of them he drove ou... [ Continue Reading ]
ALSO I BROUGHT YOU UP FROM THE LAND OF EGYPT,.... Where they were bond slaves, and in great affliction and distress, and unable to help themselves; but the Lord wrought deliverance for them, and brought them out of this house of bondage with a high hand and a mighty arm: AND LED YOU FORTY YEARS THR... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I RAISED UP OF YOUR SONS FOR PROPHETS,.... Such as Moses, Joshua, and the seventy elders, and others; not only to foretell things to come, but to teach and instruct the people in the doctrines and duties of religion, and to warn them of their sins, and the danger of them: AND OF YOUR YOUNG MEN... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT YE GAVE THE NAZARITES WINE TO DRINK,.... Contrary to their vow and calling, and in contempt of it, and to make them like themselves; they either persuaded them, or forced them to it: AND COMMANDED THE PROPHETS, SAYING, PROPHESY NOT; hard and heavy things, judgments and denunciations of vengeanc... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I ARE PRESSED UNDER YOU,.... With the weight of their sins, with which they had made him to serve, and had wearied him; his patience was quite wore out, he could bear them no longer: AS A CART IS PRESSED [THAT IS] FULL OF SHEAVES; as a cart in harvest time, in which the sheaves of corn are... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE THE FLIGHT SHALL PERISH FROM THE SWIFT,.... They should be so straitened and cooped up, and be so loaded with pressures, that those, as swift of foot as Asahel, should not be able to make their escape by fleeing: AND THE STRONG SHALL NOT STRENGTHEN HIS FORCE; should not increase it, or mu... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER SHALL HE STAND THAT HANDLETH THE BOW,.... That is, at some distance, and can make use of his instruments of war afar off; yet will not think it safe to stand his ground, but will betake himself to his heels as fast as he can to save himself: AND [HE THAT IS] SWIFT OF FOOT SHALL NOT DELIVER... [ Continue Reading ]
AND [HE THAT IS] COURAGEOUS AMONG THE MIGHTY,.... Or "strong in his heart" b; one that is of a great heart, famous for courage and bravery, that excels in it among the mighty; the most valiant soldiers and officers: SHALL FLEE AWAY NAKED IN THAT DAY: shall throw away his armour, nay, put off his cl... [ Continue Reading ]