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Scott's Reference Library
Amos 5:6 through Amos 5:7 (NIV)
6 Seek the LORD and live,
or he will sweep through the house of Joseph like a fire;
it will devour,
and Bethel will have no one to quench it.
7 You who turn justice into bitterness
and cast righteousness to the ground
10 you hate the one who reproves in court
and despise him who tells the truth.
11 You trample on the poor
and force him to give you grain.
Therefore, though you have built stone mansions,
you will not live in them;
though you have planted lush vineyards,
you will not drink their wine.
12 For I know how many are your offenses
and how great your sins.
You oppress the righteous and take bribes
and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts.
13 Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times,
for the times are evil.
14 Seek good, not evil,
that you may live.
Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you,
just as you say he is.
15 Hate evil, love good;
maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy
on the remnant of Joseph.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-6
The convincing, awakening word must be heard and heeded, as well as words of
comfort and peace; for whether we hear or forbear, the word of God shall take
effect. The Lord still proclaims mercy to men, but they often expect deliverance
from such self-invented forms as make their condemnation sure. While they refuse
to come to Christ and to seek mercy in and by him, that they may live, the fire
of Divine wrath breaks forth upon them. Men may make an idol of the world, but
will find it cannot protect.
VERSES 7-17
The same almighty power can, for repenting sinners, easily turn affliction and
sorrow into prosperity and joy, and as easily turn the prosperity of daring
sinners into utter darkness. Evil times will not bear plain dealing; that is,
evil men will not. And these men were evil men indeed, when wise and good men
thought it in vain even to speak to them. Those who will seek and love that
which is good, may help to save the land from ruin. It behoves us to plead God’s
spiritual promises, to beseech him to create in us a clean heart, and to renew a
right spirit within us. The Lord is ever ready to be gracious to the souls that
seek him; and then piety and every duty will be attended to. But as for sinful
Israel, God’s judgments had often passed by them, now they shall pass through
them.