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
2. The devouring fire 7:4-6 read more
Amos prayed virtually the same prayer again asking the sovereign Lord not to send such a judgment because Jacob was small (cf. Amos 7:2). Again the Lord relented and determined that it would not come then (cf. Amos 7:3). He would not discipline Israel with a locust plague or with a raging "fire." read more
Three Visions and an Interruption1-9. The visions. 10-17. The interruption.There are two senses in which the word ’Vision’ may be used of one of the forms of Hebrew prophecy. In the first sense a state of mind closely akin to that of a dreamer is intended: ’I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, I will speak with him in a dream’ (Numbers 12:6). The prophet falls into a kind of ecstasy, and has no control over the pictures which pass before his mind. Every one will remember the... read more
(5, 6) Instead of “forgive,” the prophet now only ventures to say “cease,” a cry for arrest of judgment. Yet the same plea for pity is urged as before. Jeroboam II. and his house are spared for awhile. But another awful vision comes to the prophet. read more
5. THE PROPHET AND HIS MINISTRYAmos 7:1-17 - Amos 8:1-4We have seen the preparation of the Man for the Word; we have sought to trace to its source the Word which came to the Man. It now remains for us to follow the Prophet, Man and Word combined, upon his Ministry to the people.For reasons given in a previous chapter, there must always be some doubt as to the actual course of the ministry of Amos before his appearance at Bethel. Most authorities, however, agree that the visions recounted in the... read more
III. THE FIVE VISIONS OF THE PROPHET CHAPTER 7 Three Visions and the Opposition Against Amos 1. The vision of locusts (Amos 7:1-3 ) 2. The vision concerning the fire (Amos 7:4-6 ) 3. The vision of the plumbline (Amos 7:7-9 ) 4. Opposition against Amos (Amos 7:10-17 ) Amos 7:1-3 . In the first vision Amos saw how the Lord prepared locusts (not grasshoppers as in the A.V. They started in with their destructive work, just as they did in the day of Joel. Then Amos interceded in behalf of... read more
AMOS GENERAL OVE RV IEW OF THE BOOK The opening verse shows that Amos, like Hosea, was a prophet sent to Israel, though his home, Tekoa, was in Judah. He was contemporary with Hosea for a while, though the latter prophesied longer than he. After the introduction (Amos 1:1-3 ) there follows a series of messages concerning Gentile nations (Amos 1:4 to Amos 2:3 ), each beginning with the words “For three transgressions.., and for four, I will not turn away the punishment,” an orientalism,... read more
Interrogative Parables Amos 6:0 , Amos 7:0 We now come to one of the "Therefores" which are so characteristic of this practical prophet. He builds up his reasoning well; then he plunges into his conclusions. He is emphatically a great preacher, never concluding without a rousing application. We have considered what apostate men have done, and we move into this practical "Therefore" with abundant intelligence. We have seen men recklessly at ease in Zion, and trusting to the mountain of... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Amos 7:1-9
7:1-9:10 VISIONS OF JUDGMENTGod’s patience before judgment (7:1-9)Farmers paid their taxes by giving the king the first reaping of their harvest. After this a second crop grew up, which provided the main harvest for the people. It was this second crop that Amos, in his vision, saw threatened with destruction from a plague of locusts. If God judged Israel in this way, it might never recover. When Amos pleaded on Israel’s behalf for God’s mercy, God answered his prayer (7:1-3). God later answered... read more