Amos 6

1 vae qui opulenti estis in Sion et confiditis in monte Samariae optimates capita populorum ingredientes pompatice domum Israhel

2 transite in Chalanne et videte et ite inde in Emath magnam et descendite in Geth Palestinorum et ad optima quaeque regna horum si latior terminus eorum termino vestro est

3 qui separati estis in diem malum et adpropinquatis solio iniquitatis

4 qui dormitis in lectis eburneis et lascivitis in stratis vestris qui comeditis agnum de grege et vitulos de medio armenti

5 qui canitis ad vocem psalterii sicut David putaverunt se habere vasa cantici

6 bibentes in fialis vinum et optimo unguento delibuti et nihil patiebantur super contritione Ioseph

7 quapropter nunc migrabunt in capite transmigrantium et auferetur factio lascivientium

8 iuravit Dominus Deus in anima sua dicit Dominus Deus exercituum detestor ego superbiam Iacob et domos eius odi et tradam civitatem cum habitatoribus suis

9 quod si reliqui fuerint decem viri in domo una et ipsi morientur

10 et tollet eum propinquus suus et conburet eum ut efferat ossa de domo et dicet ei qui in penetrabilibus domus est numquid adhuc est apud te

11 et respondebit finis est et dicet ei tace et non recorderis nominis Domini

12 quia ecce Dominus mandabit et percutiet domum maiorem ruinis et domum minorem scissionibus

13 numquid currere queunt in petris equi aut arari potest in bubalis quoniam convertistis in amaritudinem iudicium et fructum iustitiae in absinthium

14 qui laetamini in nihili qui dicitis numquid non in fortitudine nostra adsumpsimus nobis cornua

15 ecce enim suscitabo super vos domus Israhel dicit Dominus Deus exercituum gentem et conterent vos ab introitu Emath usque ad torrentem Deserti

Amos 6 Commentary

Chapter 6

The danger of luxury and false security. (1-7) Punishments of sins. (8-14)

Verses 1-7 Those are looked upon as doing well for themselves, who do well for their bodies; but we are here told what their ease is, and what their woe is. Here is a description of the pride, security, and sensuality, for which God would reckon. Careless sinners are every where in danger; but those at ease in Zion, who are stupid, vainly confident, and abusing their privileges, are in the greatest danger. Yet many fancy themselves the people of God, who are living in sin, and in conformity to the world. But the examples of others' ruin forbid us to be secure. Those who are set upon their pleasures are commonly careless of the troubles of others, but this is great offence to God. Those who placed their happiness in the pleasures of sense, and set their hearts upon them, shall be deprived of those pleasures. Those who try to put the evil day far from them, find it nearest to them.

Verses 8-14 How dreadful, how miserable, is the case of those whose eternal ruin the Lord himself has sworn; for he can execute his purpose, and none can alter it! Those hearts are wretchedly hardened that will not be brought to mention God's name, and to worship him, when the hand of God is gone out against them, when sickness and death are in their families. Those that will not be tilled as fields, shall be abandoned as rocks. When our services of God are soured with sin, his providences will justly be made bitter to us. Men should take warning not to harden their hearts, for those who walk in pride, God will destroy.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 6

This chapter seems to be directed both to the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and the ten tribes of Israel, under the names of Zion and Samaria, and to the principal men in both; who are reproved and threatened for their carnal security and self-confidence, being in no fear of the evil day, though they had no reason for it no more than other people, Am 6:1-3; are charged with wantonness, luxury, intemperance, and want of sympathy with those in distress, Am 6:4-6; therefore are threatened to be carried captive first, and their city to be delivered up; which, for the certainty of it, is not only said, but swore to, Am 6:7,8; and a great mortality in every house, and the destruction of all houses, both great and small, Am 6:9-11; and since a reformation of them seemed impracticable, and not to be expected, but they gloried in their wealth, and boasted of their strength, therefore they should be afflicted by a foreign nation raised against them, which affliction should be general, from one end of the country to the other, Am 6:12-14.