Matthew Poole and continuators on Amos 3

1 HEar this word , that the LORD hath spoken against you , O children of Israel , against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt saying.

With ear, and mind, consider it well, for this is to hear indeed,

which is spoken, and the thing decreed too of God.

The Lord who did shew you greatest kindness, and whom you have repaid with greatest ingratitude, the Everlasting God, who changeth not, hath determin'd and declared his determinate purpose;

or to, or concerning, for if menaces are words against them, yet Advice, Exhortations, and Promises are to, and concerning those to whom they are spoken.

Subjects of Ieroboam ad now King of the Ten Tribes.

And let the two Tribes consider too how far they are concern'd in the Prophets reproving for sin, calling to repent of sin, and threatning if they do not repent.

Vid. cap. 2. ver. 10. let. o. p.

2 You only have I known h of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities .

This possibly may intimate Gods choosing them when they were but a small Family as in Abraham's day, and when other Families were as considerable as that of Abraham was; the growth of which into a mighty Nation was from the favour and blessing of God performing his promises to their fore-fathers; and this will aggravate their Apostacy from God, which in the next words he threatens to punish.

Here is an ellyptick speech, for God doth not punish his peculiar people, because they are so near and dear to him, but for that being so, they had forgotten their duty and obligations to God, and had abus'd all these his mercies.

My hand shall punish certainly whoever are the means, and whatever is the manner, of which you shall hear more, but I will certainly visit for it

All your Idolatries, and sins against the precepts of the first Table, and all your injustices and sins against the second Table; all your desertings of the Law of Piety and justice; None of their works shall ever be forgotten, Amos 8.7.

Chosen, made near to my self, adopted to be my peculiar ones, to be Sons and Daughters to me; to you only have I revealed my whole will, and given you my Law for your Rule and Direction, and my promises for your encouragement, and requir'd you have no other Gods before you.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] Math. [illegible: 1 letter] 22. Luke [illegible: 1 letter] 47. Rom. [illegible: 1 letter] 1 Pet. 1.; [illegible: 1 letter]eb. visit up.

3 Can two walk together except they be agreed?

Here the Prophet threatens this people, that God would begin his visitations, and their punishments in his forsaking them, and doth by this interrogatory endeavour to convince them that they could not with any reason except better from him; It could not be they should long have Gods presence with them, or that he should walk among them, and bless them while they walk so contrary to him; They could not in reason hope that there should be any friendly commerce, where was so little agreement and friendship; a retaliation they must expect from the Lord; he will forsake them who have forsaken him.

4 Will a lyon rore in the forrest when he hath no prey? will a young lyon cry out of his den if he have taken nothing?

In this verse by a double similitude Amos certifieth the Iews of near, and inevitable punishment; first by similitude of a Lyon roaring at sight of his prey, which seldom escapes when the Lyon roareth against it: The Lyon usually is so nigh to his prey when he roareth, that he leapeth on it presently, and teareth it. So here God would have sinning Israel know that their sins had provok't him to wrath, and that his judgments were near at hand: Nay nearer yet, like a prey drag'd by the old Lion into the Den for the young Lyons to feed on, so was their case, their Enemies, the Assyrians should as certainly devour them as the young Lyons in the Den do devour the prey which is brought to them. If the departure of God from them affect them not, perhaps the fierceness of Lyon-like Enemies may affect them.

Marginal references: Heb. give [illegible: 1 span].

5 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth where no gin is for him ? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all ?

A Sparrow properly, one kind put for all sorts.

These are taken by nets spread on the earth for that end, and these nets are watched by the Fowler, attending till the Birds are within the shrape, then he draws the Net over them: So here, for your sins, O Israel! God will spread his Net, he will as a watchful Fowler attend and keep his eye upon you, and cast the Net over you.

These are taken by nets spread on the earth for that end, and these nets are watched by the Fowler, attending till the Birds are within the shrape, then he draws the Net over them: So here, for your sins, O Israel! God will spread his Net, he will as a watchful Fowler attend and keep his eye upon you, and cast the Net over you.

Flatter not your selves as if you should finally escape because you have so long been safe and prosperous; though the Fowler doth long wai[illegible: 1 letter], he will not take up the snare before all the prey, or some of it at least be taken in it, so the Lord against whom you have sinned, and who hath spread his Net for you, will certainly let it lye till you are taken in it.

Shall a trumpet be blown in the city and the people not be afraid ? shall there be evil in a city , and the LORD hath not done it?

When an alarm is sounded, by which notice is given of danger approaching, of an Enemy invading the Land.

Any City, but particularly in a frontier City, in which were Watchmen on the Walls and Towers to give notice of an Enemy, Isa. 52.8. Ezek. 3.17. and 33.7.

Affected with the danger, to weigh how great 'tis, how near 'tis; whether it be best to prepare to resist it, or to fly from it, such like Affections doth the Alarm of War work in the minds of men ordinarily, and there is good reason for it. But though God hath sounded the alarm, yet brutish, stupid, and sinful Israel; fear not, neither consult what the best course to prevent the danger

of affliction and sorrow, such as plague, famine, &c.

Or any where else.

The Eternal, holy, and righteous Governour of all in Heaven and on earth.

Either immediately by his own hand, or mediately by the hands of those he imploys; the evil of punishment he will execute and bring upon Israel; he will by the hands of the Assyrians in due time execute.

Marginal references: Or, run together.; Isa. 5.7.; Or, And shall not the LORD do somewhat.

7 Surely the LORD God will do nothing , but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets .

Since that, or, for as much as,

Usually the Lord doth no great thing for or against his people, neither brings great Judgments upon them for sin, nor bestows great good upon them for their encouragement to duty.

But he foretelleth the one and the other by his prophets to his people, that they may by repentance prevent the evil threatned, and by constancy in obedience attain the good promised.

His purpose and determinate Counsel which would never be known aforehand if he did not reveal it.

Who fear the Lord, and do his Will in the midst of worst of times; they are holy men of God to whom the Lord revealeth his will.

By office called of God to this, and by gifts fitted for this, and by extraordinary assistance carried through this work.

Marginal references: Gen. 6.13. and 18.17. Psal. 25.14. Joh. 15.15.

8 The lion hath roared , who will not fear ? the Lord GOD hath spoken , who can but prophesie .

God hath threatned, and as a Lion roareth when near his prey; so God hath terribly threatned what is near to be done; Amos lived and prophesied in Ieroboams time about the 3150th year of the World, and these threatned judgments began to come upon Israel, when the conspiracies and usurpations of Shallum, Menahem, &c. filled all with blood and confusions about 3177th year of the world.

What wise man, who that is solicitous for his own good and safety, or that hath any affections for the good of others, will do less than reverence and fear, and prevent by a speedy repentance.

This is plainly what was before figuratively set forth, God had spoken to his Prophets but dreadful things against Israel.

They dare not conceal them, Amos cannot but speak what he had heard. Ier. 1.17. Acts 4.19. and 5.25.

9 ¶ Publish in the palaces at Ashdod , and in the palaces in the land of Egypt , and say, Assemble your selves upon the mountains of Samaria : and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof .

You Prophets whom I have sent to threaten the sins of my people Israel, now invite strangers to come and observe what just cause I have to do what I threaten.

One of the principal Cities of the Philistines, cap. 1. ver. 8. let. l. and Zeph. 2.4. let those that are in the Court at Ashdod, and have a mind to travel a while out of their own land, let them know what strange sights they may see in their neighbour land.

Let the young Noble-men of Egypt come too, yea let as many as will come;

by an appointment (if it may be) let them meet together, and make their observations, and then judge between their doings and their sufferings. My Judgments and the causes of them.

Either the whole Kingdom of Samaria, or the Ten Tribes, or else it may denote the great men and Cities of Samaria; let Egyptians and Philistines in their Travels up and down over the Kingdom of Israel associate themselves with the great men, and converse in the Cities.

Take an exact view of all done by them and in them.

The seditious counsels, and rebellious conspiracies begun amongst them on the Death of Ieroboam 2d, and continued one after another for many years like mad men, bent on ruining one another to the undoing of all; besides all former violences of Baashi, Zimri, Omri and Iehu, who took the Kingdom out of the hands of their Masters; Those of Shallum, Menahem, Pekah, and Hoshea acted in the times Amos pointeth at.

Multitudes of oppressed ones in those times, when the Usurpers took it to be their interest to crush all they fear'd or suspected.

Samaria the chief City of the Kingdom, and in other Cities; yea, rather through the whole Kingdom of Samaria.

Marginal references: Or, oppressions.

10 For they know not to do right , saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces .

Who oppress others, do it as unlearn'd Lawyers and Judges do, they are shamefully ignorant of the Law of God.

What is equal between man and man they will not consider, nor do they care whether it be done or not.

As men lay up wealth in their treasures, they fill their houses.

Perverting judgment, first condemning the innocent, next seising all as forfeited by Law; so they did no doubt in those times of Rebellion and usurpations, sequestrations and decimations, &c. were then too.

The true name of all their proceedings however palliated.

This intimates to us that the greatest among them were chief Actors herein, vid. Zeph. 1.9. but as they stored up violence, they also treasured up misery and desolation too, as the Heb. elegantly imports.

Marginal references: Or, spoil.

11 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, An adversary there shall be even round about the land : and he shall bring down thy strength from thee , and thy palaces shall be spoiled .

Because of all the violence and rapine with other crying sins multiplyed against God in the midst of them.

The Assyrian with united Forces

on all sides shall beset thee, the whole Land shall be but as one besieged City, out of which none or so few as next to none shall escape,

Lay low all thy fortresses, break all thy power, kill thy valiant men, destroy thy Armies, and by force take thy strong holds.

Where thou laidst up thy spoils gotten by violence and oppression; there thy Enemy shall find them, and take them away as lawful plunder, and when thy riches are carried out, they shall burn the palaces themselves too.

12 Thus saith the LORD, As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs , or a piece of an ear : so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria , in the corner of a bed , and in Damascus in a couch .

As the Shepherd doth hardly res[illegible: 1 letter]ue a small part of a sheep or Lamb, when the Lion hath seised and torn it.

The fiercest, strongest, and boldest Creature, not a Bear or Wolf,

which are parts the ravening Lyon less regardeth, and last eateth.

Less considerable than the Legs,

Some of the Children of Israel, or some of the Ten Tribes, but the poorer, meaner, and more worthless of them

shall escape when Samaria is taken.

Lying in some dark corner, and on a piece of a bed as the poor do in most places.

The chiefest City of Syria taken by Tiglath-Pilneser much about the time when he wasted Israel in aid of Abaz against Resin and Pekah.

Some few of the poorer among them also shall escape, pitied by the Enemy when he findeth them weakly and sick upon their Couch.

In brief, this verse foretels how few, and with what difficulty they shall escape, who are not swallowed up of the approaching Judgments, and it is elegantly expressed in the following similitude.

Marginal references: Heb. delivereth.; Or, on the beds feet.

13 Hear ye , and testify in the house of Jacob , saith the Lord GOD , the God of hosts .

Prophets.

Publickly declare, and witness, make what proof you can of this thing.

To the Ten Tribes as first and most nearly concerned herein, and to the two Tribes also, who as guilty of many and great sins, so are in danger of many and great judgments, and these hastning on them▪

Assure them the message comes from the Lord God.

Who is Lord of all, and hath all Power in his hand, when he commands all the hosts of Creatures attend to execute his commands, so that what he threatneth, he will surely execute.

14 That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him , I will also visit the altars of Beth-el , and the horns of the altar shall be cut off , and fall to the ground .

In the appointed time, and within compass of a little time too, God will in his set time make quick work with them;

The many and great transgressions of the Ten Tribes, these God will as he hath foretold by his Prophets severely punish and in particular their Idolatry

erected unto the Calves, and on which they offered Sacrifices to those Idols by Iereboams appointment at first, and by the continued commands of their Idolatrous Governours. It is possible there might be: Altars to other Idols too, see 2 Chron. 34.4. and Hos. 8.11. and 10. ver. 1. which see.

Antiently called Luz, but after Iacob on his comfortable vision did change its name into Bethel, 'twas in the Tribe of Benjamin, and one of the two places Ieroboam first set up his Idolatrie in.

Whether more sacred part in their account I know not, but who fled to the Altar and laid hold on the horns of it, found them a Sanctuary 1 Kings 2.28. but these now should not be safety to themselves.

The Altars shall be pulled down,

be cast out as common, and trodden under foot with contempt.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 span].

15 And I will smite the winter house with the summer house , and the houses of ivory shall perish , and the great houses shall have an end , saith the LORD.

By the greatness of the desolation it shall appear that God did smite though by the Assyrian; or perhaps it may refer to the Earthquake foretold two years before it came, cap. 1. ver. 1. let. m.

Which probably was in the chief City, where the rich and great men retired in the Winter time as more for their delight than the Country horrid and cold, and stript of its Glory.

The houses of pleasure, where the Nobles and rich men of Israel spent the summer time.

Not built with, but beautifyed with Ivory, or the Elephants Tooth called here, and elsewhere by way of eminency the Tooth.

By the violence of the Enemies, these stately houses shall be ransackt first, and pull'd down next, and left in rubbish:

Or many, for the word includes both. The Magnificent Palaces of Princes, and the Nobles of Israel

shall cease for ever either be utterly wasted, or cease to be theirs whose once they were.

All this shall infallibly come to pass, and be fulfilled in due time.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span] Jer. [illegible: 1 span]; 1 [illegible: 1 span]