Amos 6 The voluptuousness of Israel, Amos 6:1–6, shall be punished with desolation, Amos 6:7–11. Their perversion of justice and vain confidence shall end in affliction, Amos 6:12–14.

Woe! this compriseth many and great sorrows, all that God intends against these sinners. To them that are at ease; who live in abundance, eat, drink, sleep, and are secure, that think to-morrow shall be as this day, and neither fear nor believe the threatened judgments of God.

Pass ye unto Calneh; run over the history of that great and ancient city; as, Go to Shiloh, Jer. 7:12. It was built by Nimrod, Gen. 10:10, and after a long growth to power, wealth, and security, through near one thousand three hundred years, was at last ruined, as is probable, in the civil wars…

Woe to you that flatter yourselves that the day of darkness and misery foretold is far off! See Poole “Ezek. 12:27”. These were great ones too, that the prophet here threateneth, who thus postponed the day of Israel’s and Judah’s calamities.

The woe is to be added to them that, either out of laziness or luxury, and to please the flesh, lay themselves to rest upon beds of ivory; on beautiful, rich beds, bought with the gain of bribes and oppression.

Woe to them that, in a time of deepest morning, do entertain themselves with songs, and with greatest skill sing to their musical instruments, as if they had no greater thing to mind! Viol; or lute, or gittern, one kind put for every one used in their feastings at this time of Amos.

The prophet continues the woe still to these riotous feasters; the jovial, banqueting, dancing, and singing judges. That drink wine in bowls; not in little vessels, not in moderate glasses or cups, as beseemed sober men, but in great vessels, called bowls; and it is likely they drank these filled…

Therefore; for this sin of unseasonable feasting added to all former sins; much like that Isa. 22:14. Now shall they go captive, who ruled others, and whose character you have Amos 6:1–3;c., who put far from them the evil day, &c., these shall certainly be carried captive.

The secure, incredulous, and atheistical among the judges of Israel are here spoken to especially, and the prophet assures them that God had sworn by himself that they should be punished, and in the manner he had foretold.

It shall come to pass; the thing is decreed, and shall take effect. If there remain, or escape the enemies’ sword, or the famine of Samaria, besieged three years. Ten men in one house; many men, for it is a certain number expressed, though an uncertain be understood.

A man’s uncle, or some near kinsman, shall take him up, instead of those mercenaries who were wont to do this, and were paid for it; but now none of these to be had, the next to the dead must, as well as he is able, take him up on his shoulders, and carry him, i.e.

For, behold; consider this well: it seems to be the continued speech of him who took care of the dead, Amos 6:10. The Lord commandeth; God, provoked by our sins, hath sent out thy enemies; war, famine, and pestilence all come commissioned of God, and when the arrow is shot it will hit and kill.

Shall horses run upon the rock? would it not be dangerous to horse and rider? If prophets and pious men exhort, threaten, or advise, they endanger themselves, it does no more good than if you would run your horse on the slippery precipices of rocks. Or, all is lost labour on these hardened sinners.

Ye which rejoice, glorying with a joy and satisfaction, with hope and confidence, in a thing of nought; in your victories, alliances, fortifications, and idols, all which draw you away from God, and from seeking him as he will be found.

But; notwithstanding all your boasts and carnal confidences. Behold; observe and weigh well what is said. ir will raise up; awaken, call together, strengthen, succeed, and prosper in the attempt against you.