11. Jeroboam shall die, &c.—Amos had not said this: but that "the house of Jeroboam" should fall "with the sword" ( :-). But Amaziah exaggerates the charge, to excite Jeroboam against him. The king, however, did not give ear to Amaziah, probably from religious awe of the prophet of Jehovah. read more
12. Also—Besides informing the king against Amos, lest that course should fail, as it did, Amaziah urges the troublesome prophet himself to go back to his own land Judah, pretending to advise him in friendliness. seer—said contemptuously in reference to Amos' visions which precede. there eat bread—You can earn a livelihood there, whereas remaining here you will be ruined. He judges of Amos by his own selfishness, as if regard to one's own safety and livelihood are the paramount considerations.... read more
13. prophesy not again— ( :-). at Beth-el—Amaziah wants to be let alone at least in his own residence. the king's chapel—Beth-el was preferred by the king to Dan, the other seat of the calf-worship, as being nearer Samaria, the capital, and as hallowed by Jacob of old (Genesis 28:16; Genesis 28:19; Genesis 35:6; Genesis 35:7). He argues by implication against Amos' presumption, as a private man, in speaking against the worship sanctioned by the king, and that in the very place consecrated to it... read more
A. Three short visions of impending judgment 7:1-9The three visions in this section are similar and may have followed one another in quick succession. The first two describe methods of divine judgment from which Amos persuaded God to turn aside, and the last one the method He would not abandon to judge Israel. read more
3. The plumb line 7:7-9 read more
The method of judgment God would use would not be locust invasion or fire but the sword. An enemy would invade Israel (cf. Deuteronomy 28:49-50). This enemy, as Yahweh’s agent, would destroy the outdoor high places on hilltops and the temple sanctuaries at Dan and Bethel where the people worshipped God and idols, namely, all their worship centers.Amos probably used "Isaac" simply as a synonym for "Jacob" and "Israel." Another view follows."Amos seems to have in mind the special veneration for... read more
Amaziah, who was one of the apostate priests who served at the Bethel sanctuary (cf. 1 Kings 12:26-33), felt that Amos was being unpatriotic in what he was prophesying. So Amaziah sent a message to King Jeroboam II charging Amos with conspiring against the king within the land. He felt that Israel could not afford to endure Amos’ prophesying any longer. Previously internal revolt against a king had sometimes followed a prophet’s pronouncements (cf. 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 1 Kings 11:29-39; 1 Kings... read more
1. The challenge 7:10-13 read more
B. An intervening incident 7:10-17The event described in this pericope evidently followed and grew out of the preceding visions that Amos announced (Amos 7:1-9). Certain key words occur in both sections of the book but not elsewhere in it: Isaac (Amos 7:9; Amos 7:16) and sanctuary (Amos 7:9-11). Also the historical incident is a concrete example of God’s plumb line in operation, but here it judged individuals. The prophet Amos passed the test, but one of the priests of Bethel, Amaziah, failed... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Amos 7:10
10. priest of Beth-el—chief priest of the royal sanctuary to the calves at Beth-el. These being a device of state policy to keep Israel separate from Judah. Amaziah construes Amos words against them as treason. So in the case of Elijah and Jeremiah (1 Kings 18:17; Jeremiah 37:13; Jeremiah 37:14). So the antitype Jesus was charged (Jeremiah 37:14- :); political expediency being made in all ages the pretext for dishonoring God and persecuting His servants (Jeremiah 37:14- :). So in the case of... read more