Matthew Poole and continuators on Amos 7

1 THus hath the LORD God shewed unto me, and behold , he formed grashoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth, and lo, it was the latter growth after the kings mowings .

Sometime this refers to what went before, here it refers to what the Prophet saw and is about to declare.

This is the first of five Visions or Prophetick Representations of what was coming upon this People for their sins. The Lord gave Amos a clear sight of the future calamity by this Vision.

I could not but observe, and it is worthy your observance too.

It is not said he called for them, but he formed, or created them, probably intimating somewhat extraordinary in them, either in their bigness or number, or rather sudden appearing of them. So the plague signified by them should suddenly come upon them.

In our Countrey grashoppers are not hurtful, but these in our Text were Locusts and so rendred, Isa. 33.4. and N[illegible: 1 letter]h. 3..17. and the word used by Amos here is Paraphras'd by the Heb. Criticks by a word that properly Notes Locust.

The shooting up of the first growth being too luxuriant they did either mow off the tops, or eat it down with Cattel, and this was done for preserving the Corn and increase of the Harvest, but if the second growth were cut off or eat up, it marred the whole Harvest, and these devouring Locusts were formed in such time as to do this, and so to bring a famine upon the land.

It is supposed that the first mowing of the luxuriant Corn in the blade was for the Kings use, and after this the second springing grew up to the Harvest. It may possibly intimate, that though the Kings of Israel did as 'twere mow the luxuriant Riches, yet they grew again, but when Assyrian Locusts come all is devour'd.

Marginal references: Or, green worms.

2 And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land , then I said , O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee , by whom shall Jacob arise ? for he is small .

Either visionally, the whole Scheme represented both Locusts, Grass, Herbs and Corn, and it represented the Grass as almost all eaten up and the Locusts ready to fall upon the Corn, and all that remain'd. Or else really, it was acted, and the Grass was devoured. Though the former seems most likely, I leave it to every ones judgment.

Amos interceded by Prayer for this People in this case.

And he sueth for Mercy, intreats for Pardon, hereby justifying Gods proceedings, and though this people for whom he prays is insensible of their condition, yet the prophet is deeply affected with it, and deprecates the displeasure of God, and implores his Mercy; to God belongs forgiveness, to them nothing but shame.

How shall any of Iacob escape, or if thou O God of Iacob dost cast him down, who will or can lift him up? he must needs perish if thou be still angry and shew not pitty.

Weak in strength, few in number, not able to resist his Enemies the Assyrians.

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

3 The LORD repented for this: It shall not be , saith the LORD.

This spoke after the manner of man, is to be understood as becomes the Immutability and omniscience of God, what a man when he repenteth doth, desisting from the thing, so God desisting or suspending his own Act doth tell us he repenteth.

This explains the former, That sore Famine like to be caused by these Locusts came not, Amos prevailed by Prayer and the Judgment was diverted.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span]

4 ¶ Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me, and behold , the Lord GOD called to contend by fire , and it devoured the great deep , and did eat up a part .

In Vision or Hieroglyphic, Vid. ver. 1. let. b.

Vid. ver. 1. let. c.

Declar'd he would judge as by fire.

Literally say some, God would from Heaven by fire punish. Others say metaphorically, by drought which should scorch up all fruits of the Earth, and dry up Fountains and Rivers. Or else by very sore, wasting, and irresistable judgments that like Fire should consume all, hereby denoting the Assyrian rage.

Eat up, i. e. Visionally, or in the Emblem.

Not literally, but as the other, ver. 2. in Hieroglyphic. So it appear'd to Amos.

Of the Land too, it seem'd to sieze on the Earth; now this in vision awakens the Prophet as before to pray earnestly.

6 The LORD repented for this: this also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.

These two verses are almost word for word the same with ver. 2. and 3. which see.

7 ¶ Thus he shewed me, and behold , the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumb-line , with a plumb-line in his hand .

Vid. ver. 1. let. b. c.

The Great God, who had long tried Israel and often spared.

Possibly it may denote his fixed purpose now to proceed to demolish this State.

Strongly, regularly and beautifully built, as art could build it.

Ready as an Artist to take the measures of this Wall to discover all the defects of it, and how much 'twas varied from what it was at first built. This shall be the last measuring it, and on this measuring what ever is faulty shall be pulled down though to the very Foundation. This was Visionally represented to the Prophet.

8 And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou ? and I said, A plumb-line . Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel , I will not again pass by them any more.

Who did before shew Amos the Emblem in Landskip or Vision.

This God asketh not as if he were ignorant what Amos saw, or as if he would be informed whether he saw aright, but it is introductory to that follows.

Or perpendicular to which Masons first build, and frame Walls of Houses, and by which they do at any time measure them whether they stand upright, or any way belly out, and decline.

I will exactly measure my people Israel, the whole Fabrique of the Ten Kingdoms. I will take a particular view of all, and how far 'tis right, or how far 'tis out of Order.

I will no more forbear, but I will pull down all that is faulty, though I pull up the very Foundations, and this is confirm'd in what followeth.

Marginal references: See 2 [illegible: 1 span] 13. Isa. 34.[illegible: 1 span] Lam. 2.8.; chap. 8.2.

9 And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate , and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste ; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword .

The Temples on high Mountains built to Idols, or for the Worship of God, though he forbad them.

The Father is here named, but his Children are intended all the seed of Isaac; I cannot, though some do, think the Prophet alludes to Isaac's being offered upon a High Mountain.

Shall be rased to the Foundation, or left to moulder and fall with length of time, and assaults of storms and weather.

This explains the former, and speaking after the custom of those times the Prophet calls the Idol Temples Sanctuaries, whether in Dan and Bethel or elsewhere.

God will, but not immediately, rise up: He will stir up some or other to do what he threatens.

In the days of Zec[illegible: 1 letter]ariah (son of Ieroboam) murthered by Shallum.

First of a Conspirator Shallum, next of Civil War.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter] Kin. 15.10.

10 ¶ Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel , sent to Jeroboam king of Israel , saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel : the land is not able to bear all his words .

After that Amos had expresly and peremptorily foretold the ruin of Idolatry and Kingdom of Israel for their sins.

It appears not what Family he was of, nor is it much material we should know, 'tis probable he might be of some mean Family, or possibly an Apostate Priest of the Tribe of Levi.

By way of Eminency, no common Priest, but the chief Priest.

To the Calf at Bethel, and tis like he was Praefect or Governour for the King in the Civil Affairs of that City and Countrey.

Gave information by Messengers sent.

The second of that name of Iehu's Race the third from Iehu.

At that time living and on the Throne of Israel.

He accused the Prophet of High Treason, and conspiring to raise War against his Soveraign.

Openly, and publickly, or hath endeavour'd to raise all Israel into Sedition or Rebellion against their own King.

Either thus, if what he threateneth should come to pass 'twill be ruin and utter desolation to all. Or thus; The People are incensed so much against this Prophet for his harsh predictions, that he must be made an Example to quiet and content them.

What he saith will come, if it doth come will certainly ruin all, high and low, and a well order'd Government may not bear such a Prophet. Thus far the general Accusation.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter] Kin. 12.32.; [illegible: 1 letter] Kin. 14.23

11 For thus Amos saith , Jeroboam shall die by the sword , and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land .

So Amaziah falsely reports the Prophet.

He no where said so, nor did he insinuate so much, but spake of his house distinguish'd from his Person, as ver. 9.

This indeed he foretold, but did no more contribute to it, or contrive it, than the Physician doth who foretels the death of an uncounsellable Patient, sick of a mortal Disease.

This is added to signifie the greatness of the Captivity.

12 Also Amaziah said unto Amos , O thou seer , go, flee thee away into the land of Judah , and there eat bread , and prophesie there .

It is probable enough that this Arch-Priest of Bethel did send this advice, or gave it to the Prophet so soon as he had accus'd the Prophet to Ieroboam, and perhaps he thus intended to insinuate a great good Will towards the Prophet, presuming the Prophet knew nothing that Amaziah had accused him.

Whether this be spoken in scorn, or giving him the respect due to a Prophet, I determine not.

Be advised, stay not here, but with all speed flee out of the Kingdom, get thee into Iudah whence thou camest, there thou mayst be safe.

Thou wilt never get thy Bread here by this kind of Preaching, in Iudah 'tis likely thou mayst get thy livelihood by thy Prophetick art; thither go.

There thou mayst▪ freely declaim against our Vices, and predict our fall, which we do as little, as thou dost much believe.

13 But prophesie not again any more at Bethel , for it is the kings chappel , and it is the kings court .

As a Friend I advise thou do not, and as having Authority from the King, I do declare thou shalt not Prophesie in Bethel:

Where I am by the Kings Authority empowred to give Licence, or impose silence, and to see that none but fit persons preach before the King, who doth there pay his Devotions,

where all his Nobles attend him, and where no ordinary, obscure, and uncourtly Doctor may appear, beside such preaching so near to the Kings Court, will be speedily punisht, therefore as thou lovest thy self Amos follow my advice, and let the Kings Court, and this Country hear no more of thee.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span] 2.12.; [illegible: 1 span] Sanctuary.; [illegible: 1 word] house of [illegible: 1 letter]ingdom.

14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah , I was no prophet , neither was I a prophets son , but I was an herdman , and a gatherer of sycomore fruit .

So soon as this false accuser had under the vizzard of friendship given advice, and withal intimated his resolution to use his Authority to make Amos desist if he did not do it voluntarily; Amos gives him answer

readily, boldly, and yet smoothly, and out-shoots the Court Pontif in his own bow.

Not fearing his person or his power.

Not originally, or by succession, or by study, or by any humane designation and preparation; as many have been,

My Father was no Prophet, nor was I bred up in the school of the Prophets, such as 2 Kings 2.3, 5, 7, 15. and 4.38. and 6.1. Though you call me seer, whether ironically or seriously, I matter not, but assure you I am not such by Art, or Trade, or for a livelihood.

By breeding, choice, and occupation I was and still am an herd-man, and have my concerns in that mystery in or near Tekoah in Iudah, on which I can live, though I prophesie without stipend or salary, I needed not to run into the Prophets work for my bread.

The Tree and Fruit is known by one Name, Palestine abounded with both, and the Fruit was sweet, not large, yet good for food for man, or cattel, as some Fruits are with us; on these I could still, as I formerly did, live, and be content.

Marginal references: 1 King. 20▪35.; chap. 1.1.; Or, wild figs.

15 And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me , Go , prophesie unto my people Israel .

The great and jealous God whom you oppose by Idols,

by an extraordinary power of his Spirit took me off from my old, mean and private employment and recess, and I could not withstand him.

Commanded whether by voice from Heaven, or extraordinary irradiation of his mind, or impulse of the Divine prophetick Spirit comes all to one, his Authority is Divine.

Out of Iudah.

As a Prophet instruct, threaten, promise, invite, and foretel.

The Ten Tribes which with like civility are called by Amos Gods people as he called Seer.

A description of a shepheards employment;

Marginal references: Heb. from behind.

16 ¶ Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD : Thou sayest , Prophesie not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac .

When forbidden, Amos undaunted prophesieth to him that forbad him.

Amaziah who hast accused, yet pretendest to wish and advise my safety,

Who sent me, whom thou contradictest, from him I have somewhat to say to thee, and of much concern also to thee.

Usest thy power to silence me,

Preach not Sedition, or what tends to it under pretence that God speaks it against Israel, if thou canst speak good of us, and to us, this may be good for thee, but if thou wilt speak sad news against us, it will not be believed, it may hurt thee, it will do no good to others.

Distil not, Vid. Ezek. 21.1, 7. and Mic. 2.6.

The posterity of Isaac, this explains the former, and is an Hendiadis, or elegant ingemination.

17 Therefore thus saith the LORD, Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city , and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword , and thy land shall be divided by line : and thou shalt die in a polluted land , and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land .

Because thou hast so directly, and strenuously oppos'd the Lord,

which to a man of sense is a great affliction.

A common whore,

A notorious one that plays not the Adulteress in secret at home, but so that all take notice of it, and brand her for it;

Which in all likelyhood doth intimate their slaughter by Shallum when he slew Zechariah Ieroboam's Son, with whom no doubt but his friends fell, among which this Family was, or else by the sword, of Menahem, who slew Shallum.

Thy Estate, which no doubt was large, shall be shared among the Souldiers and Courtiers of Menahem.

Thy dishonour by a lewd Wife, thy childless solitariness, and thy Poverty shall come on thee e're thou die, its probable he fled to save his Life.

Among the Heathen, where thou mayest be sure my word was true.

Ten Tribes.

See ver 11. let. f. g.

Marginal references: See Jer. 28.12. and 29.21, 25.