Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Amos Ch.7 / 9 Ch.s
AM:7
* Visions of judgments to come upon Israel. (1-9) Amaziah
threatens Amos. (10-17)
#1-9 God bears long, but he will not bear always with a
provoking people. The remembrance of the mercies we formerly
received, like the produce of the earth of the former growth,
should make us submissive to the will of God, when we meet with
disappointments in the latter growth. The Lord has many ways of
humbling a sinful nation. Whatever trouble we are under, we
should be most earnest with God for the forgiveness of sin. Sin
will soon make a great people small. What will become of Israel,
if the hand that should raise him be stretched out against him?
See the power of prayer. See what a blessing praying people are
to a land. See how ready, how swift God is to show mercy; how he
waits to be gracious. Israel was a wall, a strong wall, which
God himself reared as a defence to his sanctuary. The Lord now
seems to stand upon this wall. He measures it; it appears to be
a bowing, bulging wall. Thus God would bring the people of
Israel to the trial, would discover their wickedness; and the
time will come, when those who have been spared often, shall be
spared no longer. But the Lord still calls Israel his people.
The repeated prayer and success of the prophet should lead us to
seek the Saviour.
#10-17 It is no new thing for the accusers of the brethren, to
misrepresent them as enemies to the king and kingdom, as
traitors to their prince, and troublers of the land, when they
are the best friends to both. Those who make gain their
godliness, and are governed by the hopes of wealth and
preferment, are ready to think these the most powerful motives
with others also. But those who have a warrant from God, like
Amos, ought not to fear the face of man. If God, that sent him,
had not strengthened him, he could not thus have set his face as
a flint. The Lord often chooses the weak and foolish things of
the world to confound the wise and mighty. But no fervent
prayers, or self-denying labours, can bring proud sinners to
bear faithful reproofs and warnings. And all who oppose or
despise the Divine word, must expect fatal effects to their
souls, unless they repent.