The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-09-13

Verses, z-6-commentary on the Days
4 lesson.
i Introduction The book Of Amos was
the earliest written of all the prophecies.
It is naturally divided into three paris:
a. Introductory (chaps. !, ~: The pro
phecies against Damascus, Philistia, Tyre,
' Edom. Anmon and Moab7-the six eneniies
Of the chosen people and finally against
Judah tchap Q. 4, 81. are preparatory tc
full description Of the SINS q 81. lsraei. Z.
Israel's sins and the impending ruin
| (chaps 3s6). g. "A series Of i've visions
/ (chaps 7-9); interrupted (chap. Z: lO-lz)
4 BY an account of the alteration between
! Amos and Amaziah Amos was an unedu.
Gated man, but he bad that culture sndN
| training which comes from living close to
! God, and his prophecy shows that he WAS
I Moses.
| Commentary. A lamentation for r.
rael Tvs. 1-3). Because Israel continues to
show no signs Of repentance, Amos sees
that certain and speedy destruction Will
come upon the nation. He accordingly
proceeds to sing funeral dirge. Israel
was spiritually dead; like fallen virgin,
she had debased herself and lost her pur-
1ty. She was PROSTATE on the ground, I'M
able to rise having none to assist her. 1he
prophet also declares that the strength Of
the nation was TO be reduced to one-tenth
Of what 1t then was. Such an announce
ment as this, made in the height Of the
prosperity secured BY Jeroboam III, would
naturally be a, startling one to those who
heard it, II
II. An exhortation to seek God (ys. 4
81. 4. Seek We Me-" Cease your rebel
lion against me; return to Me with all
your heart, and though consigned to
death, We shall be rescued and live. De-
desperate. Shall live" Shall escape The
threatened destruction. S. Seek not
Bethel" At Bethel was one of the gold
en- calves Jeroboam had set up. AT this
time it was the most popular sanctuary
lied by the King (chap. 7: 49, Gilgal
This was an important church centre
about nine miles northwest Of Bethel.
Here, as well as at Bethel was school
Of the prophets. At Gilgal were carved
images. TO Beer-sheba.0 Situated in
the extreme southern part Of JUDAH This
city had evidently become centre for
against journeying thither. Into captiv-
ity." The prophet shows them that all
hope from these idolatrous affairs ii vain.
Gilgal and Bethel are doomed and heath
en- deities cannot save them. g. House
of Joseph That is, the ten tribes OF
was the ancestor of two Of the chief
tribes
Iii. Israel's deplorable condition (vs. z
I eTurn Judgment 1sraels crying sim
is neglect Of eivil justice and oppression
Of the poor. fWormwood.D An Intensely
bitter, unpalatable plant 1t is ALWAYS
used as a symbol for whatever is nause-
Gus and destructive In their civil courts
brides were taken ". l2), Righteousness
was east down r. " to the earth. and
instead Of bringing relief to the oppressed,
they brought bitterness and greater OPP
preston
8. Verses s and 8 are intended "a I'M
press the Israelites with the power and
majesty Of Jehovah, the creator and rul-
er of the universe. They are introduced
abruptly and interrupt the connections
between verses and 10. The seven
stars" The Pleiades, a group Of stars in
~ the seven stars. Orion Al eonstels
lation noted for its three bright stars IN
q straight line. "Turneth, maketh" That
ls, causes morning to follow night and
brings the day to an end in night The
two clauses describe Jehovah as the an.
thor OF the regular alienation Of day and
night. That calleth,y etc. BY evapor-
alton "the waters are collected into
clouds and then are Immediately poured
out in showers upon the face Of the earth.
8. That strengtheneth,v etc See r. v.
Who takes the part Of the poor and OPP
pressed against the oppressor. Sudden de-
struction comes upon the mighty, so that
them.
10. Hate him. The prophet again
takes up the subject under consideration
in verse 7. They cannot bear an upright
magistrate, and will not have righteous
laws executed In the gate" The place
where the. elders" or magistrates sat and
where justice was administered ". ~.
IL tsrFreasl dino ,, Tha noor zvara ~,