Introduction
VISIONS PICTURING THE EXECUTION OF JUDGMENT, Amos 7:1 to Amos 9:15.
With chapter 7 begins the third division of the Book of Amos. Its distinctive characteristic is the presence of five visions, by means of which the prophet seeks to enforce, if possible, the contents of the discourses in the preceding parts, laying special emphasis upon the certainty and finality of the judgment. Two visions the swarm of locusts and the devouring fire describe a calamity which had already caused much suffering, and was threatening complete destruction, when Jehovah, in his mercy, averted the final catastrophe (Amos 7:1-6). The third vision the master builder with the plumb line does not picture the calamity itself, but portrays Jehovah as decreeing the utter destruction of the house of Israel (Amos 7:7-9). The three visions are followed by an historical section (Amos 7:10-17), in which Amos narrates how the announcement of the judgment stirred the antagonism of the chief priest at Beth-el, who attempted to drive Amos back to Judah. The prophet could not be silenced; he justified his presence by an appeal to the call he received from Jehovah, and repeated his threat, adding a personal woe upon the chief priest and his family. The fourth vision the basket of summer fruit announces that the time of mercy is past; the end has come upon Israel (Amos 8:1-3). To this vision Amos adds fresh denunciations of Israel’s sins and announcements of judgment (Amos 7:4-14). The fifth vision the smitten sanctuary differs in form from the preceding four, but its purpose is the same, to make clear that Jehovah is determined to make an end of the “sinful kingdom” (Amos 9:1-6). The prophet combats again the misapprehension that their former choice by Jehovah can be regarded as a permanent safeguard (Amos 7:7-8), and once more he predicts judgment, now calling special attention to its disciplinary purpose, promising the preservation of a sound kernel (Amos 7:9-10). The book closes with promises of a bright future to this faithful remnant (Amos 7:11-15).
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