Vere. 13-15.-Greed of territory. The history of the Ammonites is full of indications of their natural qualities and of their conduct towards Israel. They were an unprincipled and cruel people, and were continually at war with their neighbours. Their settlement on the eastoftheJordan brought them into constant conflict with the Jews, and from the Book of Deuteronomy down to tho.t of Nehemiah references to Ammon occur from which we gather that they were an idolatrous, restless, pitiless, lustful, and treacherous tribe. The incident upon which Amos founds this prediction was an incursion which the Ammonites made into Gilead during the reign of King Uzziah. I. GREED oF TEBRITOBY IS A NATIONAL BIN. How many a nation has been possesaed with a selfi8h desire to "enlarge its border" I When population increases, emigration and colonization may become necessary, and may be for good. What is blamed is the desire for a neighbour's land, the extirpation or subjugation of friendly neighbours, in order to obtain room for expansion or increase of 111.l!.ury or of power. II. GREED OF TERRITORY LEADS TO NEFARIOlJB 0BUELTY. The instance here mentioned is no doubt an extreme one; it shows convincingly that Ammon had no sense of humanity, compassion, or decency. Alas I the o.nnale of our race o.fford too many an instance of the cruelty to which ambition leads. The history of the Spaniards in America is a sufficient proof of the awful lengths to which conquerors will go when urged by greed of power or of gold. And settlers even from our own land have not seldom been guilty of most indefensible cruelty and oppression towards the natives of the territories they have acquired. For the protection of 11,borigines it ho.e bee11 necessary to awaken public opinion, to institute special laws. Men plead necessity or expediency in defence or in extenuation of conduct which is a reproach to any people. !II. GREED OF TERRITORY AND 1TB FRUITS ARE NOT lJNNOTIOED BY HIM WHO BlJLEB OVER ALL. "The earth is the Lord's." He has "given it to the children of men." But when he bol.olds sordid greed animate men to robbery, nnd not to robbery only but to iuhumanity and vile cruelty, his indignation is aroused. Amoe makes use of the fire, the tempest, the whirlwind, to set forth the retribution which must overtake the capital of Ammon, its king and princes. But the Lord reigneth over all lo.ads. The vioieut 6hall not always prosper. The day shall come when their schemes shall lie defeated, and they themselves be le.id low in the dust.-T.
Ver. 1.-The true teacher. "The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa.n In the little village of Tekoe., six miles south of Bethlehem, the young peasant Amos lived. He was a lad of humble birth and lowly occupation. Sometimes he trimmed the sycamore trees, and sometimes drove the cattle to and from their pasture. But he heard the voice of God everywhere, and saw his works in all the scenes around him; for he was devout, and feared tho Lord exceedingly, Although he lived in Judah, his heart was stirred with the thought of the sins committed in the neighbouring kingdom of Israel, and of the judgments which would ultimately ensue. It was a time when hrael had every sign of prosperity. The warlike Jeroboam 11. was on the throne, and his frequent victorit•~ gave hie kingdom power, wee.Ith, and security 20 THE BOOK OF AMOS. [OH, I, 1-16.