Amos 5:4

4 For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel, "1Seek Me 2that you may live.

Amos 5:4 Meaning and Commentary

Amos 5:4

For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel
Or "yet" {a}, notwithstanding all this, though such judgments were threatened and denounced, and such desolations should certainly come, in case of impenitence, and an obstinate continuance in a course of sin; yet hopes are given of finding mercy and kindness upon repentance and reformation, at least to the remnant of them; see ( Amos 5:15 ) ; seek ye me;
seek my fear, as the Targum; fear and reverence, serve and worship, the Lord God; return unto him by repentance; seek to him by prayer and supplication; acknowledge your sins, and humble yourselves before him, and implore his pardoning grace and mercy: and ye shall live;
in your own land, and not be carried out of it; live comfortably, in great plenty of good things; and live spiritually, enjoying the favour of God, and his presence in his ordinances, and live eternally in the world to come.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 (yk) "attamen", Grotius.

Amos 5:4 In-Context

2 She has fallen, she will not rise again - The virgin Israel. She lies neglected on her land; There is none to raise her up.
3 For thus says the Lord GOD, "The city which goes forth a thousand strong Will have a hundred left, And the one which goes forth a hundred strong Will have ten left to the house of Israel."
4 For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel, "Seek Me that you may live.
5 "But do not resort to Bethel And do not come to Gilgal, Nor cross over to Beersheba; For Gilgal will certainly go into captivity And Bethel will come to trouble.
6 "Seek the LORD that you may live, Or He will break forth like a fire, O house of Joseph, And it will consume with none to quench it for Bethel,

Cross References 2

  • 1. Deuteronomy 4:29; Deuteronomy 32:46, 47; Jeremiah 29:13
  • 2. Isaiah 55:3
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