Amos 9

By an other vision and the explaining thereof, together with the power and majesty of God, the unavoidable destruction and transportation of the Israelites, is further confirmed verse. 1, &c. because of their degenerating unthankfulness and great security, 7. 10. with a promise notwithstanding of saving a chosen remnant, 8, 9. and the setting up of the Kingdom of the Christ, for the deliverance, and everlasting assured blessedness of all the elect, both Jews and Gentiles, 11.

1. I saw the LORD [viz in a vision, wherein God showed unto the Prophet, that he would not spare his own temple, temple worship, Priests and heads of the people, but would go on and execute his judgements cap a pe, as they say, from the highest to the lowest] stand, [Heb. put, set, or standing] upon the Altar: [understand that of the burnt-offerings (according to most opinions) whereby God intimated, that he stood upon parting or removing. Compare Ezekiel 10:4. though others hold it to be meant of the idolatrous Temples and Altars of Israel, as at Bethel, Dan, &c. If so be that the Prophet was indeed fain to fly into the land of Juda, according to what is here related above chapter 7. 12. it may well be that this vision was showed him there, towards the Temple of Solomon : others conceive, the Prophet never fled for it, from chapter 7. 15.] and he said; [viz. the LORD unto an Angel, that was to execute his judgement; or, unto the Prophet himself. Compare Ezekiel 9:1, &c. & 43. 3.] Smite that Button [or, apple, pome-granate, that may have stood above on the top of the Temple, or Portal, as is otherwise usual in such magnificent structures] that the posts may shake, [or, the thresholds, to show, that God would ruin and raise all down to the ground, from the top to the bottom] and cleave them all through the head; [Oth. Wound them, which are the head of all i.e. the chief and principal ones,] and I will slay their hindmost [hereby some understand the rest of the common people. Oth. The residue, or remnant, posterity. See Psal. 37. on vers. 37.] with the sword; [viz. of the Babylonians and Assyrians] the fleeing among them [or, with or of them] shall not flee away, nor the escaping among them be saved. [i.e. they that think to save themselves by flight, or, such as otherwise used to shift away and make their escape, they shall not be able to do it now; and so in the sequel. See above chapter 1. 14, 15, 16. and chapter 5. 19.]

2. Though they digged into hell [See Job 16:6. Psal. 139. 8. with the annotate. By this and the two following verses, the LORD doth intimate, that they shall not be able to escape his punishing hand in any place whatsoever, in regard that with his being, Almighty Power and Government, he is always everywhere present] my hand shall fetch them hence: and though they mounted up into heaven, I shall cause them to come down thence.

3. And though they should hide themselves on the top of Carmel; [See 2 Kin 19. on vers. 23. Heb.head of Carmel] I shall trace them and fetch them thence, [Heb. take them & c. See Jer. 37. on vers. 17.] and though they should hide themselves from before mine eyes [imagining I should not be able to see and find them out] in the bottom of the sea, I shall command a serpent thence, which shall bite them. [i.e. I shall so order and dispose it by my providence, that it shall do, as if it were by express charge and command. See Leviticus 25:21. and compare 2 Kin. 18. 25. with the annotate and so in the sequel, of the sword verse 4. of the calling of the waters. Vers. 6.]

4. And though they should go into captivity before the face of their enemies, [Meaning at least by that means, to have past the danger of perishing by the sword] I shall command the sword thence, to slay them. And I will set mine eye against them for evil and not for good. [See Jer. 24. on vers. 6. and compare Leviticus 17:10. and Jeremiah 44:11, with the annotate]

5. For the Lord LORD of hosts [The Prophet further confirmeth this prophecie by the describing the Power and the Majesty of God the author thereof, lest they should imagine it an impossible thing for him to make it good by the aforesaid execution. Compare above cha. 4. 13. and chapter 5. 8, 9.] is he who toucheth [or, shall touch &c.] the Land, i.e. if he do but touch a sinful Land with his punishing hand or finger, etc. Compare Psal. 39. 12. with the annot.] that it melteth, and all that dwell therein mourn: and (that) it [to wit, the Land. See above chap 8. on vers. 8.] rise up altogether like a River, and be drowned, as (by) the River of Egypt.

6. That buildeth his upper-rooms in Heaven, [Compare Psal. 104. vers. 3. 13. with the annotate. Heb. stairs, or ascents, degrees; whereby one body goeth up into the upper-rooms, or chambers] and his Troop [or, host, Army, close joined company, as 2 Sam. 2. 25. or bundle; whereby one may not unfitly understand all the creatures of God, whom he keeps, as it were, in a bundle, or small Troop close together, to be always ready and at hand, everywhere, and especially on earth, to perform his will and pleasure. Compare gen. 2. 1. 1 Kings 18:15. with the annotate.] the same he hath founded on earth: [Oth. Above, understanding by the word bundle the Elements whereof the earth is as the foundation] that calleth the waters of the seas, [See above chapter 5. on vers. 8.] and poureth them forth upon the ground of the earth, [Heb. face of &c.] LORD is his Name.

7. Are ye not unto me as the children of the Moores [Heb. Cuschjim] O children of Israel, saith the LORD: [implying, that he had indeed exalted Israel, of his grace above other Nations, above chapter 3. 2. but that of themselves, and in regard of their wickedness and unthankfulness, they were now no better or more to be valued in his sight, then the contemptible and accursed posterity of church, the son of the Cham. See Genesis 10:6.] Have not I brought forth Israel out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines out of Caphtor [see Gen. 18. v. 14. where the Philistines and Caphtorim are put among the posterity of Mitzraim the son of Cham. Genesis 10:8. and compare further, deut. 2. 23 & Jeremiah 47:4. with the annot.] and the Syrians [Heb. aram that is, Syria, and consequently the Syrians. See Gen. 10, on vers. 22.] out of Kir? [see 2 Kings 16. on vers. 9. and above chapter 1. 5. where it is said that the Syrians should be carried away captive unto Kir. Here it should seem, speech is of their being delivered out of Kir; whereof there is no other mention made elsewhere; as indeed divers histories are to be hand in the prophets, which though no where else related in Scripture, were well enough known in their times. The sense of all is, as if the LORD should say, It is true indeed I did deliver you out of bondage of Egypt, and possess you of the land of Canaan, but ye are as little thankful to me for it, as the Philistines and Syrians, for my having delivered them out of Kir and Caphtor: or the LORD implies, that by reason of Israels unthankfulness, he looked no otherwise now upon their deliverance, then if he had delivered so many heathen people as Moores, Syrians & c.]

8. Behold the eyes of the lord LORD, [i.e. mine eyes: see above vers. 4.] are against this sinful Kingdom, [i.e. wholly given up to sin. See Psal. 1. on vers. 1. This seemeth to have regard to Israel or the ten Tribes and Juda together, both their Kingdoms being destroyed. Some take it thus; against a sinful Kingdom etc. but with Jacob I will deal more favourably then with others. See Jeremiah 30:11.] to destroy it from the earth: [Heb. face of the earth] but that I will not wholly destroy,[Heb. destroying destroy] the house of Jacob, [saving a remnant of grace, and blessing the same singularly, as followeth vers. 11, &c.] saith the LORD.

9. For, so, I give command, [See above chapter 6. 11.] and I will shake the house of Israel among all the Heathens; even as (seed) is shaken in a sieve; [or, fanne] and [or, but, yet] not a little stone shall fall on the ground. [i.e. nothing of any weight or substance, but only the light and paltry chaff: the likeness is taken from the small stones which now and then are found among the corn. Oth. Small grains, as if he had said; I will so shake them all, that none of mine elect ( compared with the wheat) shall come to be lost.]

10. All sinners of my people [see above vers. 8. and Psal. 1 vers. 1.] shall die by the sword: they that say; The evil [viz. of punishment] Shall not come near [or about] us, nor come before (us)[or, surprise, occur, meet us. Compare above chapter 5. 18. and 6. 3. with the annot.].

11. On that day [i.e. after the foresaid destruction &c.] will I set again the decayed Tabernacle of David: [i.e. then will I restore the Kingdom of David, changing the same into a spiritual and everlasting Kingdom, under the same Messiah. See Act. 15. vers. 16, 7. whence it doth plainly appear that this and the like prophesies must be understood spiritually] and I will hedge up the gaps thereof, [viz. of the Tabernacle of David] and set up again that which is broken down of her, [Heb. its breakings down, destructions, i.e. Rubbish, broken stones, mortar, ruins,] and will build them, as (in) the days of old.

12. That they may hereditarily possess, [They viz. the spiritual Israel, my church, whereof Christ is the head] the remnant of Edom and all the Heathen, [i.e. all the chosen Gentiles, even some of their greatest enemies typified by Edom, who should be brought under the obedience of Christ, and to the Communion of his church, by the Preaching of the Gospel and operation of the holy Ghost. See Isaiah 19:25.] which are called after my Name: [Heb. upon whom is called. See of this phrase, Isaiah 4:1. and Jeremiah 7:10. with annotat. The sense is, which heathen people I will take in to be my people and children, and call them to have Communion with me, whereof they shall make a cheerful profession. Compare Isaiah 44:5. Hosea 1:10. and chapter 2. 22. Acts 2:39. Romans 9:25, & c.]] saith the LORD that doth this.

13. Behold the days come, saith the LORD; that the plowman shall reach to the reaper, and the grape presser unto the seed-sower: [Heb. the drawer or, him that draws, or, holds forth the seed i.e. drawing throws it into the ground; or, draws it forth out of the sack, for to sow. See Psal. 126. 6. The meaning is, there shall be plenty of all things. See Leviticus 26:5. whereby the riches and abundance of spiritual gifts and blessings in Christs kingdom are typified. Compare Hosea 2:14, 20, 21. with the annotate.] and the mountain shall drop with sweet wine, [see Joel 3 on verse 18.] and all the hills shalt melt [i.e. seem to melt, through the abundant bringing forth of wine, milk, oil &c as if they flowed with them.]

14. And I will turn the captivity and power of satan, by their Saviour Christ] and they shall rebuild and inhabit the desolate cities, [compare Isaiah 65:21, 22, c] and plant vine yards, and drink the wine thereof: and they shall make gardens, and eat the fruit thereof.

15. And I will plant them in their land, [i.e. in my church, both the military here and the triumphant thereafter, the Celestial Canaan] and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land, that I have given them saith the Lord thy God.