Amos 5:14 - Exposition

He repeats his loving summons to repentance, as in Amos 5:4 , Amos 5:6 , showing that their only hope of safety lay in amendment of life (comp Zephaniah 2:3 ). Seek good, and not evil. Use that diligence and zeal in pursuing what is good which you have hitherto shown in the pursuit of evil. The Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken; or, as ye say. The Israelites fancied that, owing to their covenant relation to God, he would be always with them and ready to help them under any circumstances. Their prosperity under Jeroboam II , as Calmet remarks seemed an argument in their favour, proving that God blessed them, and that they had no cause for fear (comp. Jeremiah 7:4 , etc.; Micah 3:11 ; Matthew 3:9 ; John 8:39 ). But really God's help and favour were conditioned by their obedience.