The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV

by John MacArthur

  11“For thus Amos has said:

  ‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword,

  And Israel shall surely be led away kcaptive

  From their own land.’ ”

  12Then Amaziah said to Amos:

  “Go, you seer!

  Flee to the land of Judah.

  There eat bread,

  And there prophesy.

  13But lnever again prophesy at Bethel,

  m For it is the king’s 8sanctuary,

  And it is the royal 9residence.”

  14Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah:

  “I was no prophet,

  Nor was I na son of a prophet,

  But I was a osheepbreeder

  And a tender of sycamore fruit.

  15Then the LORD took me 10as I followed the flock,

  And the LORD said to me,

  ‘Go, pprophesy to My people Israel.’

  16Now therefore, hear the word of the LORD:

  You say, ‘Do not prophesy against Israel,

  And qdo not 11spout against the house of Isaac.’

  17“Thereforer thus says the LORD:

  s‘Your wife shall be a harlot in the city;

  Your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword;

  Your land shall be divided by survey line;

  You shall die in a tdefiled land;

  And Israel shall surely be led away captive

  From his own land.’ ”

  Amos 8

  Vision of the Summer Fruit

  1Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, a basket of summer fruit.

  2And He said, “Amos, what do you see?” So I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then the LORD said to me:

  a“The end has come upon My people Israel;

  b I will not pass by them anymore.

  3And cthe songs of the temple

  Shall be wailing in that day,”

  Says the Lord GOD—

  “Many dead bodies everywhere,

  d They shall be thrown out in silence.”

  4Hear this, you who 1swallow up the needy,

  And make the poor of the land fail,

  5Saying:

  “When will the New Moon be past,

  That we may sell grain?

  And ethe Sabbath,

  That we may 2trade wheat?

  f Making the ephah small and the shekel large,

  Falsifying the scales by gdeceit,

  6That we may buy the poor for hsilver,

  And the needy for a pair of sandals—

  Even sell the bad wheat?”

  7The LORD has sworn by ithe pride of Jacob:

  “Surely jI will never forget any of their works.

  8k Shall the land not tremble for this,

  And everyone mourn who dwells in it?

  All of it shall swell like 3the River,

  Heave and subside

  l Like the River of Egypt.

  9“And it shall come to pass in that day,” says the Lord GOD,

  m“That I will make the sun go down at noon,

  And I will darken the earth in 4broad daylight;

  10I will turn your feasts into nmourning,

  o And all your songs into lamentation;

  p I will bring sackcloth on every waist,

  And baldness on every head;

  I will make it like mourning for an only son,

  And its end like a bitter day.

  11“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD,

  “That I will send a famine on the land,

  Not a famine of bread,

  Nor a thirst for water,

  But qof hearing the words of the LORD.

  12They shall wander from sea to sea,

  And from north to east;

  They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD,

  But shall rnot find it.

  13“In that day the fair virgins

  And strong young men

  Shall faint from thirst.

  14Those who sswear by tthe 5sin of Samaria,

  Who say,

  ‘As your god lives, O Dan!’

  And, ‘As the way of uBeersheba lives!’

  They shall fall and never rise again.” The Ultimate Restoration of Israel

  Amos 9

  The Destruction of Israel

  1I saw the Lord standing by the altar, and He said:

  “Strike the 1doorposts, that the thresholds may shake,

  And abreak them on the heads of them all.

  I will slay the last of them with the sword.

  b He who flees from them shall not get away,

  And he who escapes from them shall not be delivered.

  2“Thoughc they dig into 2hell,

  From there My hand shall take them;

  d Though they climb up to heaven,

  From there I will bring them down;

  3And though they ehide themselves on top of Carmel,

  From there I will search and take them;

  Though they hide from My sight at the bottom of the sea,

  From there I will command the serpent, and it shall bite them;

  4Though they go into captivity before their enemies,

  From there fI will command the sword,

  And it shall slay them.

  g I will set My eyes on them for harm and not for good.”

  5The Lord GOD of hosts,

  He who touches the earth and it hmelts,

  i And all who dwell there mourn;

  All of it shall swell like 3the River,

  And subside like the River of Egypt.

  6He who builds His jlayers4 in the sky,

  And has founded His strata in the earth;

  Who kcalls for the waters of the sea,

  And pours them out on the face of the earth—

  l The LORD is His name.

  7“ Are you not like the 5people of Ethiopia to Me,

  O children of Israel?” says the LORD.

  “Did I not bring up Israel from the land of Egypt,

  The mPhilistines from nCaphtor,6

  And the Syrians from oKir?

  8“Behold, pthe eyes of the Lord GOD are on the sinful kingdom,

  And I qwill destroy it from the face of the earth;

  Yet I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,”

  Says the LORD.

  9“For surely I will command,

  And will 7sift the house of Israel among all nations,

  As grain is sifted in a sieve;

  r Yet not the smallest 8grain shall fall to the ground.

  10All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword,

  s Who say, ‘The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.’

  Israel Will Be Restored

  11“Ont that day I will raise up

  The 9tabernacle of David, which has fallen down,

  And 10repair its damages;

  I will raise up its ruins,

  And rebuild it as in the days of old;

  12u That they may possess the remnant of vEdom,11

  And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,”

  Says the LORD who does this thing.

  13“Behold, wthe days are coming,” says the LORD,

  “When the plowman shall overtake the reaper,

  And the treader of grapes him who sows seed;

  x The mountains shall drip with sweet wine,

  And all the hills shall flow with it.

  14y I will bring back the captives of My people Israel;

  z They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them;

  They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them;

  They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them.

  15I will plant them in their land,

  a And no longer shall they be pulled up

  From the land I have given them,”

  Says the LORD your God.

  Amos Commentaries

  Amos 1

  1:1 the earthquake. Mentioned by Zechariah (14:5), Josephus (Antiquities, IX:
10:4) connects it with Uzziah’s sin of usurping the role of a priest (2 Chr. 26:16–23). An earthquake of severe magnitude occurred ca. 755 B.C.

  1:2 roars. In Joel 3:16, the Lord “roars” against the nations; here His wrath was directed primarily toward Israel (cf. Jer. 25:30). Amos, a shepherd, courageously warned the flock of God’s pasture that they were in imminent danger from a roaring lion who turned out to be the ultimate Shepherd of the flock (cf. 3:8). Carmel. Known for its bountiful trees and lush gardens, “Carmel” means “fertility” or “garden land” and refers to the mountain range that runs E to W in northern Israel and juts out into the Mediterranean Sea (cf. 9:3).

  1:3—2:3 Amos began with Israel’s enemies, and thereby gained an initial hearing. When he turned to God’s judgment on Israel, the leaders tried to silence him (cf. 7:10–17).

  1:3 For three transgressions…for four. This rhetorical device is repeated in each of the 8 messages, differing from a similar pattern used elsewhere. These are specific mathematical enumerations (e.g., Prov. 30:18, 21, 29), emphasizing that each nation was being visited for an incalculable number of infractions. With 3, the cup of iniquity was full; with 4 it overflowed. This judgment was to fall on Syria, whose capital is Damascus. threshed Gilead. Large threshing sleds which, when dragged over grain, would both thresh the grain and cut the straw. Gilead, located in the northeastern, Golan Heights region of Israel, was vulnerable to Syria’s cruel attacks (cf. 2 Kin. 13:7; 18:12).

  1:4 Ben-Hadad. Apparently a throne name, meaning “son of (the god) Hadad.” Ben-Hadad II was a son of Syrian king Hazael (841–801 B.C.).

  1:5 Valley of Aven. Meaning “valley of wickedness,” it may refer to Baalbek, the center of sun worship, located N of Damascus. Beth Eden. “House of pleasure.” It was located in eastern Syria across the Euphrates. Kir. Apparently the original home of the Syrians. It was a region to which they were later exiled (2 Kin. 16:9). Its exact location is unknown.

  1:6 Gaza. Philistia’s most prominent merchant city, ideally situated between Egypt and Israel, here used to refer to the Philistine nation. took captive the whole captivity. They deported an entire population (cf. Jer. 13:19), possibly during the reign of Jehoram (2 Chr. 21:16, 17; Joel 3:3), ca. 853–841 B.C.

  1:7, 8 Four of the 5 major cities of Philistia. The fifth, Gath, was not mentioned because it had been destroyed earlier by Uzziah (2 Chr. 26:6).

  1:9 covenant of brotherhood. A longstanding brotherly relationship existed between Phoenicia and Israel, beginning with King Hiram’s assistance to David in building his house and Solomon in the building of the temple (2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Kin. 5:1–12; 9:11–14), and later cemented through the marriage of Jezebel to Ahab (1 Kin. 16:31). No king of Israel ever made war against Phoenicia, especially the two major cities, Tyre and Sidon.

  1:10 Tyre. Alexander the Great conquered this stronghold ca. 330 B.C. (cf. Ezek. 26:1–18).

  1:11 pursued…cast off all pity. More than mere fighting, Edom pursued his brother, stifling any feelings of compassion. See notes on Obadiah for a more complete description of Edom’s judgment.

  1:12 Teman. The grandson of Esau (Gen. 36:11), after whom this town in northern Edom was named. Bozrah. A fortress city of northern Edom, about 35 mi. N of Petra.

  1:13 people of Ammon. Descendants of Ben-Ammi, the son of Lot and his younger daughter (Gen. 19:34–38). ripped open the women with child. Such inhumane treatment in wartime was not an uncommon practice (cf. 2 Kin. 8:12; 15:16; Hos. 13:16).

  1:14 Rabbah. Situated E of the Jordan River, this was the capital city.

  Amos 2

  2:1 Moab. Descendants of Lot and his elder daughter (Gen. 19:37). burned the bones. This event, where vengeance didn’t stop at death, is not recorded elsewhere in Scripture.

  2:2 Kerioth. An important Moabite city, either as a capital or center of worship.

  2:3 judge. Possibly denoting the king, who was often so designated (2 Kin. 15:5; Dan. 9:12).

  2:4 Judah. With the judgments against the nations finished, the prophet proceeded to address Judah, moving ever closer to his ultimate target of Israel. despised the law of the LORD. The nations were judged because they had sinned against the law of God, which was written in the heart and conscience (cf. Rom. 2:14, 15). Judah and Israel were judged because they sinned against God’s revealed, written law.

  2:5 fire upon Judah. The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar fulfilled this judgment, ca. 605–586 B.C. (cf. 2 Kin. 24, 25).

  2:6, 7 Greed, so all-consuming that for insignificant debts they would sell another into slavery (cf. Matt. 18:23–35), was accompanied by uncontained sexual passion. Care for the poor is a prominent OT theme (e.g., Prov. 14:31; 17:5) and sexual purity is mandated repeatedly. Violations of both are an affront to God’s holy name.

  2:7 go in to the same girl. In the context of oppressing the helpless, the reference was probably to a slave girl (cf. Ex. 21:7–11).

  2:8 clothes taken in pledge. Outer garments used to secure a loan were to be returned before sunset (Ex. 22:25–27; Deut. 24:12, 13); instead, they used them to engage in idolatrous acts.

  2:9 Amorite. The pre-Conquest inhabitants of Canaan, whom God defeated for the Jews (cf. Josh. 10:12–15). Their giant stature was said to make the spies look like grasshoppers (Num. 13:32, 33).

  2:11 Nazirites. See Num. 6:1–21.

  2:14–16 Neither personal strength nor military armament was sufficient to prevent the Lord’s hand of judgment by the Assyrians ca. 722 B.C. (cf. 2 Kin. 17).

  Amos 3

  3:1 the whole family. The primary recipient of these messages was Israel; Judah was not excluded.

  3:2 You only have I known. This “knowing” refers to an intimate relationship, not just awareness. Cf. Gen. 4:1, 17; Matt. 1:25; John 10:14, 15. But, God’s sovereign choice of Israel did not exempt her from punishment for disobedience.

  3:3–8 The Lord posed a series of questions to show that, as some things are certain in nature, surely nothing happens in Israel that is outside His sovereignty. Certain actions have certain results! The Lord had spoken a word, and therefore the prophet was to speak, and the people were to listen with trembling. Instead, they tried to silence the prophet (cf. 2:12; 7:12, 13).

  3:7 Judgment is coming, but the Lord graciously warned the nation in advance through His prophets (e.g., Noah, Gen. 6; Abraham, Gen. 18).

  3:9 The heathen nations, such as the Philistines and Egyptians, were rhetorically summoned to witness God’s judgment. If they condemn Israel, how much more will a righteous God?

  3:11 An adversary. The Assyrians who captured and deported Israel in 722 B.C.

  3:12 The Lord gives a vivid description of the small remnant left in Israel after the Assyrian invasion.

  3:13 Hear and testify. As in v. 9, the heathen nations were once again called upon to witness and testify.

  3:14 Bethel. The principal place of idol worship in Israel (cf. 1 Kin. 12:25–33).

  Amos 4

  4:1 cows of Bashan. A description of the women of Samaria who lived luxurious lives (cf. Is. 3:16–26; 32:9–13; Jer. 4:30). Bashan was a fertile region below Mt. Hermon E of the Jordan River known for its lush pastures. Under Jeroboam II, Israel was enjoying great prosperity.

  4:2, 3 through broken walls…into Harmon. Captives will be led out of the city through breaches in the walls, depicting massive overthrow. The location of Harmon is unknown.

  4:4, 5 With poignant sarcasm, Amos indicted Israel for idolatrous sacrifices and ritualistic religion.

  4:4 Bethel…Gilgal. Bethel, the place of Jacob’s dream (Gen. 28), and Gilgal, where Israel was circumcised before surrounding Jericho (Josh. 5:1–9), were sacred to Israel.

  4:5 sacrifice…with leaven. Though prohibited from most offerings, leaven was required as a part of the thanksgiving offering (Lev. 7:11–15).

  4:6–11 Past warnings were futile, a fact repeatedly emphasized by “Yet you have not returned to Me” (vv. 6, 8, 9, 10, 11).

  4:6 cleanness of teeth. Amos employed this euphemism to de
pict the absence of food during famine and drought sent by God to warn Israel, which he described in vv. 6–9 (cf. Deut. 28:22, 23, 24, 47, 48; Lev. 26:18).

  4:11 firebrand plucked from the burning. Only because of God’s mercy was Israel saved from extinction (cf. Zech 3:2; Jude 23).

  4:12 Prepare to meet your God. The general concept was first used of Israel’s preparation to receive the covenant at Sinai (Ex. 19:11, 15); here she was implored to prepare for His judgment.

  4:13 This is the God whom they were to be prepared to face. He is the LORD God Almighty.

  Amos 5

  5:1, 2 A funeral dirge was taken up for Israel, likened to a young woman who had died.

  5:3 Many were to be killed in battle or taken captive; only a handful would return (cf. 3:12; Is. 6:11–13).

  5:5 Bethel…Gilgal. See note on 4:4. Beersheba. Located in southern Judah, 50 mi. SW of Jerusalem, Beersheba had a rich Israelite history (cf. Gen. 21:33; 26:23; 1 Sam. 8:1–3; 1 Kin. 19:3–7). Apparently, people from the N crossed over the border to worship there (cf. 8:14).

  5:6 house of Joseph. Refers to the northern kingdom, since Ephraim and Manasseh, sons of Joseph, were two of its largest tribes.

  5:7 justice to wormwood. Justice was so perverted that it was like wormwood, an herb known for its bitter taste (cf. Rev. 8:11).

  5:8 Pleiades and Orion. Pleiades, part of the constellation Taurus, and Orion depict God’s creative power and wisdom (cf. Job 9:9; 38:31–35). Israel was guilty of worshiping the stars (cf. v. 26) instead of their Creator.

  5:10–13 The fabric of justice had been destroyed, causing pervasive corruption “in the gates,” the place where justice was administered (cf. v. 15; Deut. 21:19; Josh. 20:4).

  5:16, 17 Looking back at the accusations made earlier, Amos pictured the people mourning as the Lord passed through their midst, executing His sentence of judgment (cf. Ex. 11:3ff.).

  5:18–20 Even the wicked wanted the Day of the LORD to come, mistakenly thinking that it would bring victory instead of judgment (cf. Zeph. 1:14–18).

  5:21–24 When performed with a corrupt heart, even the “savored” festivals and offerings were despised by the Lord (cf. Lev. 26:27, 31; Ps. 51:16, 17, 19).