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AMOS CHAPTER 7
The judgment of the grasshoppers, Amo_7:1-3, and of the fire, are diverted by the intercession of Amos, Amo_7:4-6. By a wall and plumbline is signified the desolation of Israel, Amo_7:7-9. Amaziah complaineth of Amos, and forbiddeth him to prophesy at Beth-el, Amo_7:10-13. Amos showeth his calling, Amo_7:14,15, and the judgment upon Amaziah, Amo_7:16,17.
Thus: sometimes this refers to what went before, here it refers to what the prophet saw and is about to declare.
Hath the Lord God showed unto me: this is the first of five visions or prophetic representations of what was coming upon this people for their sins. The Lord gave Amos a clear sight of the future calamity by this vision.
Behold; I could not but observe, and it is worthy your observance too.
He formed: it is not said he called for them, but he formed or created them, probably intimating somewhat extraordinary in them, either in their bigness or number, or rather sudden appearing of them. So the plague signified by them should suddenly come upon them.
Grasshoppers: in our country grasshoppers are not hurtful, but these in our text were locusts, and so rendered Isa_33:4 Nah_3:17; and the word used by Amos here is paraphrased by the Hebrew critics by a word that properly notes locust.
It was the latter growth: the shooting up of the first growth being too luxuriant, they did either mow off the tops, or eat it down with cattle, and this was done for preserving the corn and increase of the harvest; but if the second growth were cut off or eat up, it marred the whole harvest; and these devouring locusts were formed in such time as to do this, and so to bring a famine upon the land.
After the king’s mowings; it is supposed that the first mowing of the luxuriant corn in the blade was for the king’s use, and after this the second springing grew up to the harvest. It may possibly intimate, that though the kings of Israel did as it were mow the luxuriant riches vet they grew again; but when Assyrian locusts come all is devoured.