THE VISION OF THE RIPE FRUIT, FOLLOWED BY A FIFTH ADDRESS 1-3. The vision. 4-14. The address, denouncing dishonest traders (Amos 8:4), threatening earthquakes, eclipse, mourning, a painful sense of abandonment by God, an utter destruction of the superstitious (Amos 8:7). 1-3. Notwithstanding the... [ Continue Reading ]
TO MAKE THE POOR OF THE LAND TO FAIL] i.e. to exterminate those who are in lowly circumstances. 'They make a solitude and call it peace.' 5. The NEW MOON was originally a more important festival than the SABBATH. For points in its observance see 1 Samuel 20:6; 2 Kings 4:23; Isaiah 1:13; Hosea 2:13,... [ Continue Reading ]
FEASTS] religious, not secular. The CLOTH of camel's or goat's hair was bound round the loins with a cord. Shaving the head was a sign of mourning (Leviticus 21:5; Isaiah 22:12). This day would end as badly as it began.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORD which they craved was not one of spiritual instruction, but of guidance out of trouble: cp. 1 Samuel 3:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM SEA TO SEA] i.e. from the Mediterranean to the Dead Sea. 14. The SIN, or, rather, the 'guilt' of Samaria, is the idolatrous object worshipped by the Samaritans, either the calf at Bethel (1 Kings 12:29; Hosea 10:5), or the Asherah at Samaria (2 Kings 13:6). THE MANNER] RV 'the way of Beer-she... [ Continue Reading ]