amos-1:1-10-esv

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:1

Verse 1 Amos boasts not here, in speaking of his own words, that he adduced anything as from himself, but avows himself to be only the minister of God; for he immediately adds that he received them by a vision. God himself raised up the Prophets and employed their labor; And, at the same time, guided them by his Spirit, that they might not announce anything but what had been received from him, but faithfully deliver what had proceeded from him alone. These two things then, well agree together,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:2

Verse 2 He employs here the same words which we explained yesterday in the Lecture on Joel; but for another purpose. By saying, ‘Jehovah from Zion shall roar,’ Joel intended to set forth the power of God, who had been for a time silent, as though he was not able to repel his enemies. As God was then despised by the ungodly, Joel declares that he had power, by which he could instantly break down and destroy all his enemies and defend his Church and chosen people. But now Amos, as he addresses... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:3

Verse 3 It is singular that Amos said that his words were concerning Israel, and that he should now turn to speak of Damascus and the country of Syria. This seems inconsistent; for why does he not perform the office committed to him? why does he not reprove the Israelites? why does he not threaten them? why does he not show their sins? and why does he speak of the destruction then nigh to the people of Syria? But it is right here to consider what his design was. He shows briefly, in the last... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:4

Verse 4 Now the Prophet subjoins, I will send fire unto the house of Hazael, which will devour the palaces of Ben-hadad. The Prophet speaks still of the kingdom of Syria; for we know that both Ben-hadad and Hazael were kings of Syria. But Jerome is much mistaken, who thinks that Ben-hadad was here put in the second place, as if he had been the successor of Hazael, (19) while sacred history relates that Hazael came to Elisha when Ben-hadad was ill in his bed, (2 Kings 8:9;) and he was sent to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:5

Verse 5 He then adds,I will break in pieces the bar of Damascus The Prophet confirms what he had already said; for Damascus, being strongly fortified, might have seemed unassailable. By bar, the Prophet, mentioning a part for the whole, meant strongholds and everything which could keep out enemies. Nothing, then, shall prevent enemies from taking possession of the city of Damascus. How so? Because the Lord will break in pieces its bars. It is then added, I will cut off, or destroy, the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:6

Verse 6 Amos directs here his discourse against Gaza, which the Philistine occupied. It was situated in the tribe of Judah, towards the sea; but as the Anakims were its inhabitants, the Philistine kept possession of it. Then the Jews had these enemies as ακτωρηκους, (guardians of the shore), who had a greater opportunity of doing harm from being so near: and we may learn from the Prophet’s words, that the Philistines, who dwelt at Gaza, when they saw the Israelites oppressed by their enemies,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:7

Verse 7 Now follows a denunciation of punishment, — that God would send a fire on the wall of Gaza, to devour its palaces. And it hence appears that Gaza was a splendid town, and sumptuously built; and for this reason the Prophet speaks of its palaces. He shows, at the same time, that neither strength nor wealth would prevent God from executing the punishment which the Gazites deserved. He names also other cities of Palestine, even Ascalon and Azdod, or Azotus, and Ecron. These cities the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:8

Verse 8 He therefore adds, that Jehovah Lord had spoken,saith the Lord Jehovah This was added for confirmation; for the Philistine were then in possession of many and strong defenses, so that they boldly laughed to scorn the threatening of the Prophet. He therefore brings forward here the name of God. Now follows the prediction respecting Tyrus: — read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:9

Verse 9 He uses nearly the same words respecting Tyrus which he did respecting Gaza, and charges it with the same sin, which was that of removing the Jews from their country, as refugees and exiles, into Idumea, and of selling them as captives to the Idumeans. As of all the rest, he declares the same of Tyrus, that they had not lightly sinned, and that therefore no moderate chastisement was sufficient; for they had for a long time abused God’s forbearance, and had become stubborn in their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:10

Verse 10 But he adds, that God would send a fire on the wall of Tyrus to consume its palaces. When this happened, cannot with certainty be known: for though Tyrus was demolished by Alexander, as Gaza also was, these cities, I doubt not, suffered this calamity long before the coming of Alexander of Macedon; and it is probable, as I have already reminded you, that the Assyrians laid waste these countries, and also took possession of Tyrus, though they did not demolish that city; for in... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 1:10

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