Bible Commentaries

In this division the prophet gave a fivefold vision of judgment, introduced in the first four cases by the words, "The Lord God showed me." The last vision was of Jehovah Himself. The vision of the locusts declared judgment to be threatened, and restrained in answer to intercession.

The vision of the fire had the same significance. The prophet saw the devowing fire and interceded. His intercession was answered by Jehovah's repentance, and the judgment was restrained.

The vision of the plumbline is different. Jehovah was seen standing by a wall, testing it with a plumbline. Having done so, He appealed to the prophet. No charge was made, but it is evident that as Amos beheld, he realized all the irregularities the plumbline revealed. There was no intercession. Doom was determined. So long as prophecy was mingled with messages of mercy, it was tolerated by the people. Directly that element was missing, hostility broke forth. Amaziah was an impostor, and yet held the position of priest of Bethel. He reported to Jeroboam what Amos was saying, advising his exile. Moreover, he attempted to appeal to the fear of Amos, and advised him to flee to Judah. The answer of Amos was full of dignity, born of the consciousness of the divine authority of his commission. He declared that he was no prophet, but that Jehovah had taken him and spoken to him, thus he had become a prophet in very deed. Then, answering Amaziah, he declared that God's judgment would overtake Amaziah.