Amos 5

Amos 5:2

THe Virgi] So are called in Scripture those States which subsist & flourish in their first liberty & splendor, Is. 23. 12.

Amos 5:4

Seeke ye me] where must be understood: which they have refused to doe

Amos 5:5

Bethel] namely; the Idols, which were in these Cities, Amos 4:1-13. 〈◊〉 To Beesheba] by Amos 8:14. it appeares that this City also was the seat of some solemne Idolatry, though it were belonging to the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:28 Gilgal] namely; the inhabitants thereof. In the Hebrew there is an allusion betweene the word Gilgal, and Captivity T nought] Bethel signifies the house of God: but by reason of the idolatry which was used therein; it is called Beth-aven: that is to say; the house of an Idol, Hos. 4. 15. and 10. 8. And because Aven signifieth an Idol, or nought and vanity: Therefore her last ruine is also set forth by this name.

Amos 5:6

Of Ioseph] namely; of the tenne tribes, whereof the chiefe was that of Ephraim, which issued from Ioseph Bethel] that none of your Idols which you serve in Bethel be able to helpe you.

Amos 5:7

Who turne] they corrupt justice, and whereas of it selfe it is a most profitable and pleasing thing: you make it most bitter to those that are oppressed, and abominable to God.

Amos 5:8

Turneth the] thîs may properly be understood of the great and prodigious changes in the aire: or, figuratively of the alterations of States, and changes of the world Powreth them]this is more likely to meane the deluges and inundations of the sea; then the apors of it resolved into raine.

Amos 5:10

They hated him] namely; the Judges, and Magistrates (who kept their Courts eere to the gates of Cities) cánnot endure the censures of Gods servants. See Isay 29. 21.

Amos 5:11

Burthen] that little which he hath to relieve himselfe.

Amos 5:13

The prudent] that is to say; the 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 scandall.

Amos 5:14

As ye] as you make your boasts that he is, you being his people. Or as you desire, and continually pray that he may be.

Amos 5:16

Therefore] because you reject all mine exhortations and admonitions Shall call] as to a publick and generall mourning Such as are] those teachers of funerall mournings, whereof see Jeremiah 9:17.

Amos 5:17

And in all] in stead of the joyfull songs in time of vintage, there shall nothing be heard but weeping and howling, because of the spoile of the countrey I will passe,] as it were to do a generall execution of justice. Exod. 11 4. & 12. 12.

Amos 5:18

That desire] by a prophane 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 comming to judgement should finde you guiltlesse; or at the least lesse guilty then the Prophets report you to be. See Isay 5. 19. Jeremiah 17:15.

Amos 5:19

As if a man] these judgements of God shall be altogether unavoidable, and he that shall escape one evill: shall fall into a worser, Job 20:14 Isay 24. 18. Jeremiah 48:44.

Amos 5:20

Will not smell] I will not accept of your sacrifices which you shall offer me at those times. See Lev. 26 31.

Amos 5:23

Of thy songs] he meanes the sacred songs which were part of Gods service, which he reproves as defiled with impiety and hypocrisie.

Amos 5:24

Run downe] doe righteousnesse and justice, in a firme and invariable way.

Amos 5:25

Have ye ffered] your forefathers, even in the wildernesse were Idolaters, neglecting a great part of the worship which I had appointed them. See Deuteronomy 32:17. and you imitate them, and heape up their measure.

Amos 5:26

Yea have borne] your forefathers making shew of serving me, carrying my tabernacle and all things belonging to it in the wildernesse, had notwithstanding, their hearts bent upon their Idols, and secretly carried some Chappell or Image of Molech, the Idoll of the Moabites. Others take the names of Tabernacle and Image Siccuth and Chim; for the names of Idols or Planets, Venus and Saturne The Star] it is thought for certaine that Molch represents Saturne, and the other Balims the other Planets Ye made] you had made the images of them, and had attributed divinity unto them, and had consecrated and set them up for the object of your worship.

Amos 5:27

Therefore] because that after so many sinnes of your forefathers, punished by me from time to time, you have persevered in them, yea have gone beyond them: I will execute the finall judgement upon you, in a totall desolation, and dispersion into strange countries; to the grievousnesse of which; the captivity of the people in Syria, caused by Hazal who reigned in Damascus, shall no way be equall nor comparable, 2 Kings 13:3.