Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Amos
Book: Amos
Chapter: 8
Overview:
The near approach of the ruin of
Israel.
(1-3) Oppression
reproved.
(4-10) A
Famine of the
Word of God.
(11-14)
1-3 Amos saw a
Basket of summer
Fruit gathered, and ready to be
eaten; which signified, that the people were ripe for
Destruction, that the
Year of
God's patience was drawing towards
a conclusion. Such summer fruits will not keep till winter, but
must be used at once. Yet these judgments shall not draw from
them any acknowledgement, either of
God's
Righteousness or their
own unrighteousness. Sinners
Put off
Repentance from
Day to
Day,
because they think the
Lord thus delays his judgments.
4-10 The rich and powerful of the land were the most guilty of
oppression, as
Well as the foremost in
Idolatry. They were weary
of the restraints of the sabbaths and the new moons, and wished
them over, because
No common work might be done therein. This is
the character of many who are called Christians. The
Sabbath Day
and
Sabbath work are a
Burden to
Carnal hearts. It will either
be profaned or be accounted a dull
Day. But can we spend our
time better than in
Communion with
God? When employed in
religious services, they were thinking of marketings. They were
weary of holy duties, because their worldly business stood still
the while. Those are strangers to
God, and enemies to
themselves, who
Love market days better than
Sabbath days, who
would rather be selling
Corn than worshipping
God. They have
No
regard to
Man: those who have lost the savour of
Piety, will not
long keep the sense of common honesty. They cheat those they
Deal with. They take advantage of their neighbour's ignorance or
necessity, in a traffic which nearly concerns the labouring
Poor. Could we
Witness the fraud and
Covetousness, which, in
such numerous forms, render trading an
Abomination to the
Lord,
we should not wonder to see many dealers backward in the service
of
God. But he who thus despises the
Poor, reproaches his Maker;
as it regards Him, rich and
Poor meet together. Riches that are
got
By the ruin of the
Poor, will bring ruin
On those that get
them.
God will remember their
Sin against them. This speaks the
case of such unjust, unmerciful men, to be miserable indeed,
miserable for ever. There shall be terror and
Desolation every
where. It shall come upon them when they little think of it.
Thus uncertain are all our
Creature-comforts and enjoyments,
even
Life itself; in the midst of
Life we are in
Death. What
will be the wailing in the
Bitter Day which follows sinful and
sensual pleasures!
11-14 Here was a token of
God's highest displeasure. At any
time, and most in a time of trouble, a
Famine of the
Word of God
is the heaviest
Judgment. To many this is
No affliction, yet
some will feel it very much, and will travel far to hear a good
sermon; they feel the loss of the mercies others foolishly
Sin
away. But when
God visits a backsliding
Church, their own plans
and endeavours to find out a way of
Salvation, will stand them
in
No stead. And the most amiable and zealous would perish, for
want of the water of
Life, which
Christ only can bestow. Let us
value our advantages, seek to profit
By them, and fear sinning
them away.