The Pulpit Commentary — Amos — Section 10

above n century (eh. ii. 4, G). The entire Hebrew people are also grouped together e.s forming the family of Israel which God redeemed from Egypt (eh. iii. 1). It is aa earthly kingdoms that destruction is denounced on both (eh. ii. 4, 6), but it is as one covenant people that they survive in a remnant, and aro restored (eh. ix. 11-16). 2. Their oppressors. God had made the neighbouring nations " the rod of his anger " (eh. iii. 11; v. 27; Isa. x. 4) to smite Israel. They accomplished hie purpose uncon- sciously, and impelled by evil motives of their own (vers. 3, 6, 9, 13; Isa. x. 7). Accordingly, their wars and oppressions, inflicted on Israel, were essentially wicked, and desening punishment in turn. It is thus that the wrath of man, which he punishes at last, God makes meanwhile to praise him by the unwitting execution of his will. 3. Those who resemble either. God acts on the same principles in all a.gee. He afflicts the Church for the sins of its members. To the insincere his judgments mean punishment only (Rom. i. 18). 'l'o the sincere but faulty they mean discipline also (2 Cor. iv. 17). To the Church as a whole they mean separation between tares and wheat (Matt. xiii. 29, 30). To the outside wicked, through whom they often come, they mean more sin now, and a heavier punishment at last (Luke xviii. 7). , I. THE TIME OF THE VISION. On this point we have information the most explicit. 1. Generally it was in the days of Uzziah and Jeroboam. During those reigns Judah and Israel vrere in the zenith of their career. It was, therefore, a vision of adversity when prosperity was at its height, of disastrous war when peace by conquest had been obtained with neighbouring powers, of both these ns punishment when idolatry and corruption were at their worst. This proves its genuineness, as it could not have been 1111ggested by the observed shadows of coming events. At the same time, it accounts for its comparative failure as a warning, the future predicted being so utterly unlike the present. 2. Specially it was "before the earthquake." "The presumption is natural that these words indicate not only the period but the motive of the composi- tion" (Lange). The approach of the earthquake was the occasion of the oral prophecy, and the occurrence of it the occasion of the written one. That the latter should con- tain a record of the fulfilment of the former (eh. vili. 8; ix. 6) is proof that in addition to being genuine the vision is authentic. Ver. 2.-Th.e thunder that both/rights and smites. These words are an echo of Joel iii. 16. We hence infer the continuity of the two prophetic messages. 'fhe one strikes the key-note, and the other takes up and continues the strain. I. DIVINE INTERVENTION. This is to end a period of quiescence. It is: 1. Inter- 11ention. "Utters his voice." The silence of God is often treated as equivalent to inaction (Ps. xxviii. 1; I. 21). So hie speech would mean his becoming active, whether for good or for evil. Here the breaking silence is for evil. God bears long with his open enemies, and longer still with his seeming friends. But inactivity does not show indifference nor inattention. It is simply forbearance, that will not strike till it must. Action delayed is no less certain. and will be no less vigorous for the delay. 2 . .Angry intervention. Shall" roar," llke a lion ready to devour. Not till his anger burneth sore does God break the silence. But when he breaks it ho does so emphatically. He thunders with his voice. His roar expresses wrath, and preludes a stroke; and is thus power and light in one (Job xxxvii. 6; xl. 9). 3. Forcible intervention. God's speech is followed by action. It is more ; it ie accompanied by action. It is more still; it ~ itself action. Cr~~!ve power, prese~ving power, _redeem- ing power, each goes forth 10 a word (Ps. xxxu1. 6, 9 ; Matt. 1x. 2). Chnst says, "Be clean," "Come forth;" and the sick are whole, and tho dead live at his word. In speaking, God acts. The thunder of his voice is loaded with the electricity of his power. 'l'be vehicle of the Divine active energy is, in fact, a word. II. GoD's BASIS OF OPERATIONS. God intervenes in character, and along established lir;es. He operates: 1. From Jerusalem. This is God's own city, the metropolis of his earthly kingdom. Nothing could be more appropriate. Going forth to war, the king marches from his capital. There he has his magazine, his arsenal, and his head- quarters. From thence he can bear down resietlessly on foes from whatever side, with all the resources of hie kingdom. 2. From Zion. God's seat and citadel within his city. The place he loves and chooses and honours above all others (Ps. lxxxvii. 2; cxxxii. 13; xlviii.12, 13). Here he has made his dwelling-place (Ps. lxviii.16; cxxxii. CIH, I, 1-lo.] THE BOOK OF AMOS. 9