Amos 7

Amos 7:1

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.

Amos 7:2

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?

Amos 7:3

The LORD repented for this] That is, stayed his plague at my prayer. See upon Genesis 6:6.

Amos 7:4

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 Kings 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, Genesis 7:11. Deuteronomy 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.

Amos 7:7

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.

Amos 7:8

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.

Amos 7:9

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.

Amos 7:10

Amaziah the priest of Bethel] 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.

Amos 7:11

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 onely spoken of Jeroboams posterity, and not of Jeroboam himself. Vers. 9.

Amos 7:12

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 Samuel 9:9.

and there eat bread] Whereas staying here thou wilt starve, if worse doth not befall thee; being hated of all men.

Amos 7:13

But prophesie not] Chap. 2. 12.

Chappell] Or, Sanctuary. A place consecrated by the King, to the worship of the Calves, 1 Kings 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.

Amos 7:14

no prphet] 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.

Amos 7:15

as I followed] Heb. from behinde.

Amos 7:16

drop not thy word] Ezekiel 21:2.

Amos 7:17

Thy wife] Thus God used to approve the authority of his Prophets by his plagues and judgements against them which were malicious enemies, Jeremiah 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.