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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Amos 3:9 - 3:15
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The Lord Declaring his Purpose
v. 9. Publish in the palaces of Ashdod, in the land of the Philistines, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, two of the neighboring heathen countries being summoned as witnesses, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, those near the city, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, caused by the fact that the mighty ones of the nations were oppressing the poor, and the oppressed in the midst thereof, right and order being overthrown by open violence on the part of those in authority.
v. 10. For they know not to do right, saith the Lord, having so thoroughly become accustomed to unrighteousness, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces, like evil treasures stored up for purposes of destruction.
v. 11. Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, An adversary there shall be even round about the land, literally, "and that, too, from every side of the land," attacking Israel, and particularly Samaria, from all sides; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, dashing it down to the ground, and thy palaces, heaped with the treasures of unrighteousness, shall be spoiled.
v. 12. Thus saith the Lord, As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear, insignificant, useless remnants, so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, occupying the most comfortable part of the divan, sitting in carefree idleness, and in Damascus in a couch, rather, "on the damask of the bed. " The powerful men of Samaria, living a life of luxury and ease, would save their lives only with the greatest difficulty.
v. 13. Hear ye and testify in the house of Jacob, the heathen bearing witness against the iniquities of Israel, saith the Lord God, the God of hosts,
v. 14. that in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him, with an adequate punishment, I will also visit the altars of Bethel, the center of idolatrous worship in Israel; and the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground, thus demolishing the altars themselves. Cf Exo_27:2.
v. 15. And I will smite their winter-house with the summer-house, for not only the kings, but the noble and the rich as well had at least two establishments; and the houses of ivory, whose walls were decorated with inlaid ivory, Cf 1Ki_22:39, shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the Lord. All extravagance of luxury is displeasing to the Lord, especially if it is connected in any manner with denial of the Lord's truth.