Westminster Annotations, Amos 1
ANNOTATIONS ON THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET AMOS.
CHAP. I.
Ver. 1. WHo was among the] Chap. 7. 14.
herdmen] Namely, one of those that make a trade in bringing up of cattle and living by the profits and fruit of them, or by trafficking therein.
of Tekoa] A citie of Judah, 2 Sam. 14. 2. 2 Chron. 11. 6. Jer. 6. 1. but he prophecied in Israel.
of Ʋzziah] Hos. 1. 1.
Jeroboam] In his dayes the kingdome of Israel did most flourish.
earthquake] Which, as Josephus writeth, was when Uzziah would have usurped the Priests office, and therefore was smitten with the leprosie. Of the which there is no mention made any where but Zach. 14. 5.
V. 2. rore from Zion] Jer. 25. 30. Joel 3. 16. According to the predictions and threatnings pronounced in the midst of his Church by his Prophets, who shall vent his wrath upon his enemies.
the habitations] All strength, wealth, and worldly greatnesse, set forth by these fat and fruitfull places, shall through Gods wrath be brought to nothing.
V. 3. For three transgressions] He sheweth first that all the people round about should be destroyed for their manifold sins: which are meant by three and foure, which make seven; because the Israelites should the more deeply consider Gods judgements toward them. Others, I will not punish Syria whose chief citie is Damascus, so much for many other sinnes, as I will do for their crueltie used towards my people. Or for the same sinnes I will not recall my threatning voyce, vers. 2.
of Damascus] Isa. 8. 14. & 17. 1. Jer. 49. 23. Zach. 9. 1.
and for foure] Or, yea for foure.
turn away the punishment] Or, conveit it, or let it be quiet▪ and so vers. 6, &c.
they have threshed Gilead] If the Syrians shall not be spared for committing this cruelty against one citie, it is not possible that Israel should escape punishment, which hath committed so m…ny and grievous sinnes against God and man.
with threshing-instruments of iron] See of this kind of torment and punishment, 2 Sam. 12. 31. All this may be referred to Hazaels crueltie, 2 King. 8. 12. & 10. 32. & 12. 18. and 13. 3.
V. 4. But I will send a fire] Jer. 49. 27.
Hazael] Hazael and Benhadad, names of Kings of Syria.
palaces of Benhadad] The antiquitie of their building shall not avoyd my judgements. See Jer. 49. 27.
V. 5. barre of Damascus] All strength, opposition, and defence.
the plain of Aven] Or, Bikath-aven. Heb. Bikath-aven, Betheden. Places of Syria.
him that holdeth the sceptre] The King and all the royall race.
the house of Eden] Or, Beth-eden.
Kir] Tiglath-Pileser led the Syrians captive to Cyrene, which is called here Kir, called by Authours Cirtha, (a place of Media) 2 King. 16. 9. So Aram was captived to Kir fifty sixe years after Amos had foretold it.
V. 6. For three transgressions] Jer. 47. 4, 5. Ezek. 25. 15. Zeph. 2. 4.
Gaza] 2 Chron. 28. 18. By this principall citie of the Philistims are understood all the rest, and the places are put for the inhabitants.
not turn away] See vers. 3.
carried away captive the whole captivitie] Or, carried them away with an entire captivitie. The Philistims in the dayes of Jehoram King of Judah brake into it, and carried many away captive without any distinction of qualitie, sex, or age, &c. See 2 Chron. 21. 16, 17. Joel 3. 6.
Edom] The sonnes of Esa… were made subject to David, but duplicate page duplicate page in the dayes of Jehoram Edom rebelled, and joyned with Judahs enemies: and then Esau brake Jacobs yoke, which was foretold, Gen. 27. 40.
V. 9. of Tyrus] Isa. 23. 1. Jer. 47. 4. Ezek. 26. & 27. & 28. Joel 3. 4, 5.
not turn away] See vers. 3.
the brotherly covenants] Heb. the covenant of brethren. Which was between David and Solomon Kings of Judah, and Hiram King of Tyre, who called one another brothers, by a brotherly love, and Covenant. See 2 Sam. 5. 11. 1 King. 5. 1. & 9. 13.
V. 12. of Edom] Isa. 21. 11. & 34. 5. Jer. 49. 7. Ezek. 25. 12. Joel 3. 9. Obad 1. 1. Mal. 1. 3.
brother with the sword] Namely, the Israelites, which were descended from Jacob, brother to Esau, father of the Edomites, Gen. 27. 40. Deut. 23. 7.
did cast off] Heb. corrupted his compassions.
all pitie] All the duties, affections, and respects of bloud and nature, by which he was bound.
his anger] He hath vented against the people of Israel without …nd or ceasing, upon all occasions, all the implacable hatred which he had once conceived against Jacob, Gen. 27. 41. See Psal. 137. 7.
V. 12. Teman] I will punish the posteritie of Esau, and spoile his cities: for Teman was the Metropolis of Idumea; so called of Teman the sonne of Eliphaz, the sonne of Esau, Gen. 36. 15. and Bozrah a citie in the borders between Moab and Idumea: sometime ascribed to one people, and sometime to the other; for their vicinitie, Isa. 34. 6. This judgement is at large described, Obad. 9. 10.
V. 13. Ammon] Jer. 49. 1. Ezek. 25. 2. Zeph. 2. 9.
ript up the women] Or, divided the mountains. He noteth the great cruelty of the Ammonites, that spared not the women, but most tyrannously tormented them, and yet the Ammonites came of Lot, who was of the houshold of Abraham.
enlarge their border] By warre, and by unjust invasion.
V. 14. Rabbah] The Metropolis of the Ammonites. Deut. 3. 11. 2 Sam. 11. 1. & 12. 26.
tempest] With a sudden, and impetuous ruine: Gods wrath falling from on high upon Ammon, together with the enemies endeavours.
V. 15. their king shall go] Others say, Malcom the Ammonites idol, Jer. 49. 1. 3. He hath relation to the custome of conquerers, which was to carry away the Gods of conquered nations. 1 Sam. 5. 2. Isa. 46. 2. Jer. 43. 12. & 48. 7. Hos. 10. 6.
CHAP. II.
Vers. 1. OF Moab] Isa. 15. Jer. 48. Ezek. 25. 8. Zeph. 2. 8.
not turn away] See Chap. 1. 3.
bones of the king] Some referre this to that which hath been spoken, 2 King. 3. 27. As if in that place the sonne of the king of Edom had been burnt for a holocaust by the king of Moab. Others take it for some terrible crueltie used upon the king of Edom, either alive or dead, for which in particular the Lord was angry with Moab.
V. 2. of Kirioth] A citie of Moab.
di… with tumult] Shall be destroyed by the fury of warre.
V. 3. judge] Namely, he that bore the title of king, though he was no lawfull king, having rebelled against Israel, 2 Kin. 1. 1.
thereof] To wit, of the Moabitish nation.
V. 4. will not turn away the punishment thereof] See Chap. 1. 3. Seeing the Gentiles that had not so farre knowledge, were thus punished, Judah which was so fully instructed in the Lords will, might not thinke to escape.
lies caused them to erre] Their idols, false worships, and superstitions.
V. 6. of Israel] If he spar… not Judah unto whom his promises were made, much lesse will he spare this degenerate kingdome.
turn away] Chap. 1. 3.
righteous for silver] His right in judgement.
a pair of shoes] For a matter of nothing, for a very small price, as Amos 8. 6.
V. 7. pant after the dust of the earth] Who inflamed with covetousnesse, spie out all occasions to entrap the lowly and weake, and to doe them hurt. A terme taken from serpents, as Gen. 49. 17.
turn aside] By their windings, like to the serpents, they do overthrow good mens rights, styled in Scripture humble and meeke men. Or they hinder them in their businesses.
maid] Or, young woman.
my holy name] With which they are honoured being called my people.
V. 8. they lay themselves down] They do use those things which they have violently taken from the poore and innocent, in their feasts, which they celebrate in honour of their idols, and in their festivals, and by that means do heap up the sinne of idolatry, upon the sinne of violence.
laid to pledge] Exod. 22. 26.
the condemned] Or, such as have fixed, or mulcted. Bought with such money, as they have unjustly amerced and condemned the innocent in.
V. 9. Amorite before them] Numb. 21. 24. Deut. 2. 31. Josh. 24. 8. The destruction of their enemies, and his mercy toward them should have caused their hearts to melt for love toward him.
whose height was like the height of the cedars] Numb. 13. 28. & 32. 33.
fruit from above] A proverbiall kinde of speech, to signifie an utter desolation: as Job 18. 16. Isa. 5. 24. Mal. 4. 1.
V. 10. I brought you up] Exod. 12. 51.
V. 11. Nazarites] Numb. 6. 2. Being persons sanctified after a speciall manner to puritie of life, and consecrated to works of pietie.
V. 12. gave the Nazarites] Violating my law in this part of my service, Numb. 6. 3.
saying, Prophesie not] Isa. 3. 10. Jer. 11. 21. Chap. 7. 12, 13. Mic. 2. 6.
V. 13. I am pressed under you] Or, I will presse your place, as a cart full of sheaves presseth. You have wearied me with your sinnes, Isa. 1. 14. Or, I will presse your place by the strict siege of enemies.
V. 14. from the swift] None shall be delivered by any means.
himself] Heb. his soul, or life.
V. 16. couragious] Heb. strong of his heart.
naked in that day] Being shipped by his enemies, or having basely thrown away his arms.
CHAP. III.
Vers. 2. HAve I known] Chosen, and accepted to be my people, wherefore your ingratitude and disloyalty is so much the more to be condemned, Deut. 7. 6. & 10. 15. and those sinnes of ignorance, which I passe over in others, are in you inexcusable, and proceeding from pure malice. See Ezek. 20. 32.
punish] Heb. visit upon.
V. 3. two walk together] Even as two travellers, whose end of their journey is not the same, cannot long travell the same way so it is impossible that God should continue his grace towards you, seeing his service is not the only aime of all your actions.
V. 4. a lion rore in the forest] Will God threaten by his prophets, except there be some great occasion? Or, thinke ye that God will not at last bring all these threatnings to passe, though he hath had patience for a long time? See Amos 1. 2.
cry out of his denne] Heb. give forth his voice.
V. 5. a bird fall] Can any thing come without Gods providence? Matth 10. 29.
a snare] Shall his threatnings be in vain?
V. 6. Shall a trumpet be blo…n in the citie] When the watchers give a sign, or sound an alarm, the people presently are terrified: and what ought you to do at Gods threatnings, pronounced by his Prophets, for your conversion, towards him, from whom all these calamities proceed.
not be afraid] Or, not run together.
shall there be evil in a citte] Isa. 45. 7.
and the LORD hath not done it] Or, and shall not the LORD do somewhat?
V. 7. revealeth his secret] I do liken the Prophets to watchmen, which discover afarre off the coming of the enemies: for so God ordinarily reveals unto his Prophets, the greatest judgements which he will cause to fall upon his people, to bring them to repentance, Gen. 18. 17.
V. 8. The lion hath rored] The fear of Gods majestie doth enforce us to relate his threatnings faithfully unto you, though you hate and disdain us for it.
V. 9. Ashdod] He calleth strangers, as the Philistims and Egyptians, to be witnesses of Gods just judgements against the Israelites for their crueltie and oppression.
oppressed] Or, oppressions.
V. 10. robbery in their palaces] Or, spoil. The fruit of the… crueltie and theft appeareth by their great riches, which they have in their houses.
V. 11. And adversarie] Meaning the king of Assyria Shalmaneser, as appeareth by the next verse, for he took Samaria by force, and led away the people captive, 2 King. 17. 6.
V. 12. taketh] Heb. delivereth.
so shall the children of Israel be] In the sacking of the citie a small number of the poorest sort of the people shall escape.
in the corner of a bed] He hath relation to the hiding corners, that are sought for when a citie is taken.
in] Or, on the beds feet.
V. 13. Heare ye] He directeth his words to the prophets, and all true beleevers.
V. 14. visit] Or, punish Israel for.
I will also visit] I will destroy all places and instruments of idolatry, to shew the falshood of it: and make it known that it is the chiefe cause of the peoples ruine.
the horns of the altar] Which were made upon the idols altars, like unto them which were upon the altar of the true God, Exod. 27. 2.
V. 15. winter-house with the summer-house] He hath relation to the customes of great men, who are wont to have severall roomes for winter, and for summer. Judg. 3. 20. Jer. 36. 22. the meaning is, all manner of statelinesse, greatnesse, and commodiousnesse shall be taken away.
ivory] Covered over with ivory. 1 King. 2. 39. & 22. 29.
CHAP. IIII.
Vers. 1. KIne of Bashan] Thus he calleth the princes and governours, which being overwhelmed with great aboundance of Gods benefits, forget God, and therefore he calleth them by the name of beasts, and not of men. See Psal. 22. 12. Ezek. 39. 18.
which say to their masters] They encourage such as have authoritie over the people, to poll them, so that they may have profit by it. Others, which do perswade your kings and princes to all manner of exc…sse and dissolutenesse: and are teachers and advisers of the disorders of the court; as Hos. 7. 5.
V. 2. with fish-books] Like fishes, as Jer. 16. 16. Hab. 1. 14, 15. and you shall be no more like fat kine that abide in their pastures.
V. 3. go out at the breaches] Being led into captivitie after your cities are forced and defaced. See Ezek. 12. 5. 12. As beasts at a gap.
before her] Any way, there being neither gates nor walles whole.
ye shall cast them into the palace] Or, ye shall cast away the things of the palace.
V. 4. Come] Ironicall termes, that is, I do abandon you to continue in your idolatries, that you may heap up the measure of your sinnes. See Matth. 23. 32.
Beth-el] Bethel and Gilgal were the chief seats of the publique idolatry of the ten tribes. 1 King. 12. 29. Hos. 4. 15. and 12. 11. Amos 5. 5.
three yeares] Heb. three yeares of dayes. Heb. three dayes. In imitation of the three solemn feasts, appointed to be every yeare by the law; Exod. 23. 14. at which certaine kinds of tithes were spent in the sacred feasts. Deut. 14. 22. 28.
V. 5. offer a sacrifice] Heb. offer by burning. Lev. 7. 13.
proclaim and publish] Making it known by publique authoritie, that whosoever will offer any offerings, besides those which God had commanded, shall come and offer them in such places, and at such times.
this liketh you] Heb. so ye love. You only delight in these outward ceremonies and have none other respect.
V. 6. cleannesse of teeth] That is, famine and dearth.
V. 7. three moneths] I stayed the rain till the fruits of the earth were destroyed with drought, and yet you would not consider it to return to me by repentance.
V. 8. not satisfied] They could not finde water enough where they had heard say it had rained.
V. 9. I have smitten you] Deut. 28. 22.
when your gardens and your vineyards, &c.] Or, the multitude of your gardens, &c. did the palmer-worm, &c.
V. 10. after the manner of Egypt] Or, in the way. As I plagued the Egyptians, Exod. 9. 10. when you went into Egypt, to seek aide from thence, Hos. 7. 11, 12.
and have taken away your horses] Heb. with the captivitie of your horses.
V. 11. Sodom and Gomorrah] Gen. 19. 24, 25. Isa. 13. 19. Jer. 49. 18.
and ye were as a firebrand] Zac. 3. 2. You were almost all consumed, and a few of you wonderfully preserved, 2 King. 14. 26.
V. 12. thus will I do unto thee] Namely, as thy sinnes deserve, or as I have foretold thee, vers. 2. 3.
because I will do this unto thee] Since I denounce warre against thee, as against my rebels and enemies, prepare thy self to do the best thou canst to beat me off, and keep me back: or to prevent and pacifie me by true repentance. See Ezek. 13. 5. & 22. 30. Luk. 14. 31, 32.
V. 13. wind] Or, spirit.
declareth unto man] That knows, and judgeth the most secret thoughts of man: overtakes the wise in their cunning, accuseth the consciences, and summoneth them to appear before him. O… according to others, that revealeth his secret judgements to men, to call them to repentance.
maketh the morning darknesse] Amos 5. 8.
treadeth upon the high places] That is, exalted above all humane power. See Mic. 1. 3.
CHAP. V.
Vers. 2. THe virgin of Israel] So are called in Scripture those States, which subsist and flourish in their first libertie and splendor. See Isa. 13. 12. & 47. 1.
V. 3. an hundred] Meaning that the tenth part shall scarcely be saved.
V. 4. Seck ye me] Here must be understood: which ye have refused to do.
V. 5. Beth-el] Chap. 4. 4. Namely, the idols which were in these cities, Amos 4. 4.
Beer-sheba] By Amos 8. 14. it appeareth that this citie also was the seat of some solemn idolatry, though it belonged to the tribe of Judah, Josh. 15. 28. 1 King. 19. 3.
Gilgal] Namely, the inhabitants thereof. In the Hebre… there is an allusion between the word Gilgal and captivitie.
Beth-el shall come to nought] Bethel signifies the house of God: but by reason of the idolatry that was used therein, it is called Beth-av…n, that is to say, the house of an idol. Hos. 4. 15. & 10. 8. And because Aven signifies an idol, or nought, and vanitie; therefore her last ruine is also set forth by this name.
V. 6. the house of Joseph] Of the ten tribes, whereof the chief was that of Ephraim, that came of Joseph.
Beth-el] None of your idols which you serve in Bethel shall be able to help you.
V. 7. turn judgement to wormwood] Chap. 6. 12. Ye corrupt justice: and whereas of it self it is a most profitable and pleasing thing, ye make it most bitter to those who are oppressed, and most abominable to God.
V. 8. maketh] He describeth the power of God, Job 9. 9. & 38. 31.
turneth] This may properly be understood of the great and prodigious changes in the aire: or figuratively of the alteration of States, and changes of the world.
and maketh the day dark] Chap. 4. 13.
calleth for the waters of the sea] Chap. 9. 6.
poureth them out] By this is more likely to be meant the deluges and inundations of the sea, then the vapours of it resolved into rain.
V. 9. spoiled] Heb. spoil.
V. 10. rebuketh] They hate the Prophets, which reprove them in the open assemblies. Others, the judges and magistrates (who kept their courts neer to the gates of the cities) cannot indure the censures of Gods servants. See Isa. 29. 21.
V. 11. burdens of wheat] That little he hath to relieve himself, his money and food.
ye have built houses of hewen stone] Deut. 28. 38, 39. Zeph. 1. 13.
pleasant vineyards] Heb. vineyards of desire.
V. 12. a bribe] Or, a ransome.
V. 13. prudent] That is, true beleevers, which judge truly of the calamities, and of their causes, shall in silence, and with patience worship Gods justice, without any murmuring or offence.
V. 14. as ye have spoken] As you make your boasts that he is, you being his people. Or, as you desire, and continually pray that he may be.
V. 15. Hate the evil] Psal. 34. 14. and 97. 10. Rom. 12. 9.
it may be that the LORD God of hosts] Joel 2. 14.
V. 16. Therefore] Because you reject all my exhortations, and admonitions.
shall call the husbandman] As to a publique and generall mourning.
such as are skilfull of lamentation] Those teachers of funerall mournings: whereof see Jer. 9. 17.
V. 17. all vineyards shall be wailing] In stead of the joyfull songs in time of vintage, there shall nothing be heard, but weeping and howling, because of the spoyle of the countrey.
I will passe through thee] As it were to do a generall execution of justice, Exod. 11. 4. & 12. 12.
V. 18. Wo unto you] Jer. 30. 7. Joel 2. 2. Zeph. 1. 15.
that desire the day of the LORD] By a profane boldnesse, as provoking him to bring that once to passe which he hath so long threatned: Or by an impudent boasting of your own innocency, as if God coming to judgement should finde you guiltlesse, or at least lesse guiltie then the Prophets report you to be. See Isa. 5. 19. Jer. 17. 15.
V. 19. As if a man did flee from a lion] These judgements of God shall be utterly unavoydable, and he that shall escape one evil, shall fall into a worse, Job 20. 14. Isa. 24. 18. Jer. 48. 44.
V. 20. no brightnesse in it] Of any comfort, ease, direction, or good counsell.
V. 21. I hate] Isa. 1. 11. Jer. 6. 20.
will not smell in your solemn assemblies] Or, smell your holydaies. I will not accept of your sacrifices, which you shall offer me at those times. See Lev. 26. 31.
V. 22. peace-offerings] Or, thank-offerings.
V. 23. of thy songs] He meaneth the sacred songs, which were part of Gods service: which he reproves as defiled with impietie and hypocrisie.
V. 24. run down as waters] Heb. roll. Do righteousnesse and justice, in a firm and unvariable way.
V. 25. Have ye offered, &c.] Acts 7. 42. Your forefathers even in the wildernesse were idolaters, neglecting a great part of the worship which I had appointed them; See Deut. 32. 17. and you imitate them, and heap up their measure.
V. 26. But ye have born the tabernacle] Or, Siccuth your king. Your forefathers, making shew of serving me, carrying my tabernacle, and all things belonging to it in the wildernesse, had notwithstanding their hearts set upon their idols, and secretly carryed some chappell or image of Moloch the idol of the Moabites. Others take the names of Tabernacle and Image, Siccuth and Chiun, for the names of idols, or planets, Venus and Saturn.
starre of your god] It is thought for certaine that Moloch represents Saturn, and the other Baalims, the other planets. See 1 King. 11. 5.
ye made to your selves] You had made the images of them, and had attributed divinitie to them, and had consecrated and set them up, for the object of your worship.
V. 27. Therefore will I cause you to go, &c.] Because that after so many sinnes of your forefathers, punished by me from time to time, you have persevered in them, yea and have gone beyond them: I will execute the finall judgement upon you, in a totall desolation, and dispersion in strange countreys: to the grievousnesse of which, the captivitie of the people in Syria, caused by Hazael, who reigned in Damascus, shall no way be equall nor comparable, 2 King. 13. 3.
CHAP. VI.
Vers. 1. VVO to them] Luk. 6. 24. The Prophet threatneth the wealthy, which regarded not Gods plagues nor menaces by his Prophets.
are at ease] Or, are secure.
chief] Exod. 19. 5. Or, first-fruits.
of the nations] Namely, Sion, or Jerusalem of Judah: and Samaria of the ten tribes.
came] To wit, thither upon all businesses and occasions, as to the princes court, or court of justice.
V. 2. Passe ye unto] Do but consider these cities, which formerly were mightier and in greater prosperitie then any of yours, and yet are decayed and ruined, to take example thereby, not to grow proud in carnall security, Nah. 3. 8.
Calneh] A most ancient citie in the Babylonian countrey, Gen. 10. 10. taken (as Hamath also a famous citie of Syria) and peradventure destroyed also by the Assyrians, Isa. 10. 9. See Isa. 23. 13.
Gath] The Scripture maketh mention of no other desolation of Gath, but only by Uzziah, 2 Chron. 26. 6.
V. 3. that put farre away the evil day] Chap. 5. 18. Ye chieftaines put away farre from you all thought and fear of Gods judgements, Isa. 29. 1. Ezek. 12. 22. Amos 9. 10. and in the mean time draw neer to publique tyranny, as if sinnes, and their punishments could go the one without the other.
and cause the seat of violence] Psal. 94. 20. Or, habitation.
V. 4. stretch themselves upon their couches] Or, abound with superfluities.
V. 5. That chant] Or, quaver. Isa. 5. 12.
David] Who was a great inventor, and master of musick, and musicall instruments, 1 Chron. 23. 5. which he imployed in praising of God: whereas these did use them for a provocation of carnall pleasure.
V. 6. wine in bowls] Or, in bowls of wine. By measure without measure.
they are not grieved] For their publike calamities.
affliction] Heb. breach.
V. 7. now shall they go captive] They shall be the first and most noted in the punishment; as they have been in degrees of honour, and in sinnes.
V. 8. The Lord GOD hath sworn] Jer. 51. 14.
by himself] Heb. by his soul. Confer Heb. 6. 16, 17.
I abhorre the excellency of Jacob] That is, the riches and pompe.
all that is therein] Heb. the fulnesse thereof.
V. 9. if there remain ten men] Suppose that some number do escape the enemies hand, they shall fall by the Pestilence; and if there be not men enough for to bury them, their bodies shall be burnt, which was not used among the people, but onelyonly in cases of extreme necessitie. See 1 Sam. 31. 12.
V. 10. a mans uncle shall take him up] The nearest of kinne, who for the duty of consanguinity, or to cleanse the house which is fallen to him by inheritance, shall take care of these dead bodies.
to bring out the bones] To cause the house to be more easily and privately freed from this legall uncleannesse. Numb. 19. 14.
shall say unto him] He seems to mean him that had been imployed in burning of these dead bodies.
Hold thy tongue] Chap. 5. 13.▪ Tell no body what hath hapned unto us, for fear lest we be sequestred as unclean by the law.
we may not] Or, they will not; or, have not. This extreme desolation doth dispense with us touching the lawes of God concerning these pollutions, and the purifying of them, which were not observed even by the most scrupulous consciences in the greatest extremities. See Lam. 4. 14, 15.
V. 11. For behold] All these things shall happen by reason of the utter extermination of great and small, which God hath appointed.
breaches] Or, droppings.
V. 12. Shall horses runne upon the rock] Shall we Prophets continually cast away our labours upon you, who are so desperately corrupted, and turn all the good which is presented unto you, and bestowed upon you, into evill; as if a man ploughed or digged a hard rock?
for ye have turned judgement] Chap. 5. 7.
V. 13. Ye which rejoyce] That triumph and glory in your strength, as if you could therewith overcome your enemies.
V. 14. But behold] He giveth a reason why he hath called all their hopes and means things of nought.
from the entring in of Hamath] These were the two uttermost bounds of the land of Canaan in length.
the river of the wildernesse] Or, the valley of the wildernesse. Called elsewhere the river of Egypt. Numb. 34. 5. Josh. 15. 47.
CHAP. VII.
Vers. 1. HE formed grashoppers] Or, green worms. Whether according to the letter he were shewen in this vision some great spoil done by these insects, Amos, 4. 9. or that the Assyrians coming was figuratively represented; as Nahum 3. 15.
in the beginning] After harvest, as Amos 4. 9. there is no mention made elsewhere of fields spoiled by these vermine.
the kings mowings] It is thought that the Kings did take the first crop of Hay to keep their warre horses, and for other services, leaving th… latter Hay for other cattell.
V. 2. by whom shall Jacob arise] Or, who of (or, for) Jacob shall stand? How shall thy people ever recover themselves, if thou dost overthrow them with this plague, after so many more that have already made them so weak?
V. 3. The LORD repented for this] That is, stayed his plague at my prayer. See upon Gen. 6. 6.
V. 4. by fire] Meaning, that Gods indignation was inflamed against the stubbornnesse of this people▪ Or, it may be understood either of that extreme drought which hath been spoken of, Amos 4. 7, 8. Or figuratively, by extermination by the fire of warre, which had already consumed the Countrey. 2 King. 15. 26.
it devoured the great deep] It seemed to be so, by reason that the springs and streams, which rise from under ground, where the deep is, Gen. 7. 11. Deut. 33. 13. were dried up.
did eat up a part] To wit, of the land; for one part of the land was watered with rain. Amos 4. 7.
V. 7. the Lord stood upon a wall] A figure of Gods justice, who is the supreme Master, and chief builder, who examines all the actions of men; which are like a wall, that is to be built up by Masons; and if the work be right, God approves of it, and preserves it; if not, he reproves it, and overthrows it.
V. 8. I will set a plumb-line] I will now actually execute my justice, which I have hitherto suspended, passing over the misdeeds of my people.
I will not again passe by them] Chap. 8. 2.
V. 9. high places] All places dedicated by them to Idolatry, under pretence of imitating Isaac, and their other forefathers, who formerly had sacrificed and served God in those places.
and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword] 2 Kings 15. 10.
V. 10. Amaziah the priest of Beth…el] 1 Kings 12. 32.
sent to Jeroboam king of Israel] 2 Kings 14. 23.
the land is not able to bear all his words] That is, he will raise some great tumult and sedition: Or, the people will rise against him by their own private authoritie, if thou do not provide to the contrary by thy royall power.
V. 11. Jeroboam shall die by the sword] This wicked priest Amaziah, for hatred he bare to the Prophet, thought this accusation sufficient to condemn him, whereas none other could take place; but it was falsely alleadged, to incense the King against Amos, who had onelyonly spoken of Jeroboams posterity, and not of Jeroboam himself. Vers. 9.
V. 12. Amaziah said unto Amos] When this instrument of Satan, was not able to compasse his purpose by the King, he assayed by another practise; that was, to fear the Prophet, that he might depart, and not reprove their Idolatry there openly, and so hinder his profit.
thou seer] That is, the Prophet. See 1 Sam. 9. 9.
and there eat bread] Whereas staying here thou wilt starve, if worse doth not befall thee; being hated of all men.
V. 13. But prophesie not] Chap. 2. 12.
Chappell] Or, Sanctuary. A place consecrated by the King, to the worship of the Calves, 1 Kin. 12. 29. to which he bears a singular devotion, and where he often makes his residence: wherefore it is not safe nor fitting for thee to prophesie against him here.
Kings Court] Heb. house of the Kingdome.
V. 14. no pr…phet] Thus he sheweth by his extraordinary vocation that God had given him a charge which he must needs execute
a prophets sonne] 2 Kings 2. 3.
but I was an …erdman] Chap. 1. 1.
sycomore-fruit] A kinde of wilde figges called Egyptian figges.
V. 15. as I followed] Heb. from behinde.
V. 16. drop not thy word] Ezek. 21. 2.
V. 17. Thy wife] Thus God used to approve the authority of his Prophets by his plagues and judgements against them which were malicious enemies, Jer. 28. 12. and 29. 21, 25. as this day he doth against them which persecute the Ministers of his Gospel.
shall be an harlot] Being by me abandoned to luxury, Hos. 4▪ 13. or being forced therunto by the enemies.
thou shalt die in a polluted land] Namely, in Assyria, a land of infidels, farre from the land of Canaan, which was the pledge of the saints communion in life and in death.
CHAP. VIII.
Vers. 1. A Basket of summer▪ fruit] In the Hebrew there is a kinde of affinity between the word summer and the word end, which is the onelyonly ground of this signe: and for to keep some mark thereof, the word [appointed end] is joyned in the next verse. See Jer. 1. 11.
V. 2. a basket of summer fruit] Which signifieth the ripenesse of their sinne, and the readinesse of Gods judgements.
V. 3. the songs of the temple] Namely, the sweet melody of great ones. See Amos 6. 5.
shall be howlings] Heb. shall h…wl.
dead bodies in every place] The dead bodies shall not be buried honourably, and with funerall pomp; but shall be thrown into pits and common graves, without any mourning. Psal. 78. 64.
they shall …ast them] Chap. 6. 10.
with silence] Heb. be silent.
V. 4. that swallow up the needy] By staying of the sale of food and necessary things, which ye have gotten into your owne hands, and so cause the poor to spend quickly that little which they have, and at length for necessity to become your slaves.
new-moon] Or, monethmonth. When the dearth was once come, they were so greedy of gain, that they thought the holy day to be an hinderance unto them; for on such dayes it was not lawfull to buy or sell. N…hem. 13. 15, 16.
set forth wheat] Heb. open wheat.
making the Ephah small] That is, the measure small, and the price great.
falsifying the balances by deceit] Heb. perverting the balances of deceit.
V. 6. buy the poor] Insnaring the poor into fraudulent debts, to make th…m your bondmen; abusing the permission, Levit. 25. 39. which aimed onelyonly at a remedy for casuall poverty.
for silver] Chap. 2. 6.
V. 7. The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob] By himself who is the glorious God of his people, Psalm. 106. 20. by whom Jacob, that is, Israel doth excell. See Deut. 4. 7, 8.
V. 8. Shall not the land tremble for this] Are not these wickednesses sufficient to cause the land to be destroyed and laid waste; as Egypt is overflown by the river Nilu…?
and it shall be cast out] Chap. 9. 5.
V. 9. cause the sun to go down at …oon] I will encumber the land with horrible and mournfull calamities, when it shall be least thought of, and when a man shall think himself happy and peaceable. See Job 5. 14. Isa. 13. 10. and 59. 9, 10. Jer. 15. 9.
and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loyns] Isa. 15. 2. Jer. 48. 37. Ezek. 7. 18.
as the mourning of an onelyonly sonne] Jerem. 6. 26. Zach. 12. 10.
as a bitter day] Job 3. 5.
V. 11. but of hearing the words of the LORD] 1 Sam. 3. 1. Psal. 74. 9. For to receive some comfort, counsell or advice thereby.
V. 12. seek the word of the LORD] Whereby he sheweth, that they shall not onelyonly perish in body, but also in soul for lack of Gods Word, which is the food thereof. See Hos. 4. 6.
V. 13. faint for thirst] Namely, by the the effects of my burning wrath, without any refreshment of comfort. Hos. 2. 3.
V. 14. that swear by the sinne of Samaria] By the Calves and other idols, which are the objects and instruments of their sinne; as Deut. 9. 21. for the idolaters did use to swear by their idols, as the Papists yet do by theirs.
Thy God] For they made profession of worshipping the true God in those figures. See Exod. 32. 4, 5. 2 King. 10. 16, 29. Hos. 4. 15.
O Dan] Where one of the Calves was set up, 1 Kings 12. 29.
the manner] Heb. the way. Namely, the religion or worship; as Act. 9. 2. and 18. 25. and 24. 14.
of Beer-sheba] See upon Amos 5. 5.
CHAP. IX.
Vers. 1. I Saw the Lord] In a Prophetick vision.
standing upon the altar] Of the Temple of Jerusalem; to shew, that there was no more pardon, seeing that the place of propitiation was by God converted as it were into a seat of rigorous and implacable justice.
and he said] To some Angel that was executioner of his judgement…. See Ezek. 9. 4. 5.
lintel] Or, chapiter. Namely, of the door of the Temple. Heb. the knop; for they were wont to set great knops or bals in frontispice… or lintels of the doors. And in this manner is represented the decree of the peoples desolation, amongst whom God had chosen his abode; and of the destruction of the materiall Temple, and the annihilation of the outward service.
cut them] Or, wound them. Let this act be a sign to them all, of what I intend to do to their persons.
he that fleeth of them] Chap. 2. 14.
V. 2. Though they dig into hell] Psal. 139. 8, &c.
though they climbe up to heaven] Job 20. 6. Jerem. 51. 53. Obad. 4.
V. 3. will I command the serpent] He sheweth that God will declare himself enemy unto them in all places, and that his elements and all creatures shall be enemies to destroy them.
V. 4. thence will I command the sword] D…ut. 28. 63.
I will set mine eyes] Levit. 17. 10. Jer. 44. 11.
V. 5. and shall be drowned] Chap. 8. 8.
V. 6. stories in the heaven] Or, spheres. Heb. ascensions. Psal. 104. 3. He declareth by the wonderful power of God, by the making of the heavens and the elements, that it is not possible for man to escape his judgements, when he punisheth.
troup] Or, bundle. All the universe, which is like the fabrick of a building, of which the earth being the lower part, and onelyonly immoveable, hath some resemblance of a foundation.
that calleth for the waters of the sea] Chap. 5. 8.
V. 7. Are ye not as the children of the Ethiopians unto me] Being degenerate, and having gone astray as you have done, I do hold you as Ethiopians, a base and accursed nation, as coming from Cham: and your deliverance out of Egypt shall be no more a pledge to you of my favour, then the deliverances which I have granted to these other profane nations.
from Caphtor] There is mention made of this in Deut. 2. 23. and Jer. 47. 4.
Syrians] Heb. Aram. See Gen. 10. 22.
from Kir] It is to be understood of the captivity of the Syrians, spoken of 2 Kings 16 9. Amos 1. 5. which happened about Amos his time, whose deliverance, which was to come, is here set down, as if it were come already.
V. 8. the eyes of the Lord] God judgeth, and punisheth all Kingdoms and nations alike, which are addicted to grievous sinnes; there is onelyonly this difference, that he will never utterly destroy his people, without leaving some remnant of them. Jer. 30. 11. and 31. 36, 37. Obad. 17.
V. 9. fift] Heb. I will cause to move.
like as corn is fifted in a five] Governing their dispersion by my providence, in such sort, that none of mine elect shall perish in eternall p…rdition, nor the remainders of my faithfull be extinguished or overthrown.
grain] Heb. stone.
V. 10. which say] Chap. 6. 3.
V. 11. In that day will I raise] After I have thus punished my Church, I will restore the Kingdom of David by the Messias, changing it into a spirituall and everlasting Kingdom.
the tabernacle] Act. 15. 16.
close] Heb. he…ge, or, wall.
V. 12. That they may possesse] Obad. 19.
the remnant of Edom] Meaning, that the very enemies, as were the Edomites and others, should be joyned with the Jews in one society and body, whereof Christ should be the head. Or, that the true Israel according to the Spirit, joyned with Christ their Head, may participate of the universall kingdome, which he hath gotten over his enemies, such as the Idumeans were to the Israelites.
which are called by my Name] Heb. upon whom my Name is called.
V. 13. the plow-man, &c.] Figurative promises of Gods spirituall graces and blessings to his Church. See Levit. 26. 5.
soweth seed] Heb. draweth forth.
sweet wine] Or, new wine. Joel 3. 18.
all the hills shall melt] Into precious liquors, of honey, milk, oyl and musk.
V. 14. I will bring again the captivity] The accomplishment hereof is under Christ, when they are planted in his Church, out of the which they can never be pulled, after they are once graffed therein. Isa. 65. 22.