CHAP. III.
pense? and if ye recompense me, 1 swiftly Prophecies of divine judgments to be executed upon the enemies and speedily will I return your recompense
people, 1-15; and of the subsequent peace, prosper
ity, security, and purity of Israel, 16-21.
FOR, behold, in those days, and in that time, b when I shall bring again
the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
3 And they have & cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might
drink.
upon your own head.
5 Because mye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly * pleasant things:
6 The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.
7 Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompense upon your own head.
8 And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hands of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sa
4 Yea, and what have ye to do with me; O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts beans, to a people "far off: for the LORD
of Palestine? will ye render me a recoma 2:29. Dan. 12:1. Zeph. 3:19,
20.
b Deut. 30:3. 2 Chr. 6:37,38. Ps. 14:7. 85:1. Is. 11:11, &c. Jer. 16:15. 23:3-8. 29:14. 30: 3,18. Ez. 16:53. 37:21,22,38: 14-18. 39:25,28,29. Am. 9: 14.
c Zeph. 3:8. Zech. 14:2,3. Rev. 16:14,16. 19:19-21. 20:8.
d 12. 2 Chr. 20:26. Ez. 39:11. Zech. 14:4.
e Is. 66:16. Ez. 38:22. Am. 1: 11. Ob. 10-16. Zech. 12:3, 4. Rev. 11:18. 16:6. 18:20,21. f Jer. 12:14. 49:1. Ez. 25:8. 35: 10. Zeph. 2:8-10.
g 2 Chr. 28:8,9. Am. 2:6. Ob. 11. Nah. 3.10. Rev. 18:13.
h Judg. 11:12. 2 Chr. 21:16. 28:17,18. Acts 9:4.
i Am. 1:6-10,12-14. Zech. 9. 2-8.
k. Ez. 25:12-17.
NOTES.
CHAP. III. V. 1, 2. 'The following prophecy 'relates to the latter times of the world, when 'upon their conversion, God shall deliver the Jews from their oppressors, and restore them 'to their own land.... Since all nations are summoned to answer the impeachment here 'mentioned; we may suppose the word "Is 'rael" to comprehend the faithful of all ages: 'and then we may observe that the judgments 'denounced against the church's enemies, are 'chiefly for their hatred and cruelty toward 'God's servants.' Lowth .
The restoration of the Jews, and the final decisive victory of true religion over all opposers, are the events more especially foretold. It does not appear that these predictions at all referred to any of the judgments, executed on the enemies of the Jews, after the Babylonish captivity: but it is evident that they are not yet fully accomplished, and that they coincide with various other prophecies. ( Marg . Ref . a-c. - Notes, Is. 34: 63:1-6.66:15–18. Ez . 38: 39: Dan . 11:40-45. Zech . 14:12-15. Rev. 11:13,14,15—18, v. 18.
[Practical Observations.]
hath spoken it . 1 Deut. 32:35. Is. 34:8. 59:18. Jer. 51:6. Luke 18:7. 2 Thes. 1:6.
m 2 Kings 12:18. 16:8. 18:15, 16. 24:13. 25:13-17. Jer. 50: 28. 51:11. Dan. 5:2.
n 1 Sam, 5:2-5.
* Heb. desirable. Dan. 11:38. o 3,8. Deut. 28:32,68. Ez. 27: 13.
† Heb. sons of the Grecians. p Is. 11:12. 43:5,6. 49:12. Jer.
23:8.30:10,11,16. 31:8. 32:37. Ez. 34:12,13. 36:24. 38:8. Zech. 10:6-10.
q 4. Judg. 1:7. 1 Sam. 15:33. Esth. 7:10. Matt. 7:2. 2 Thes. 1:6,7. Jam. 2:13. Rev. 13:10. 16:6,7. 19:2.
r Deut. 32:30. Judg. 2:14. 4: 2,9.
s Is. 14:1,2. 60:14.
t Job 1:15. Ez. 23:42. u Jer. 6:20.
9-17, υυ . 12-14.) Then and there he will plead the cause of his people, and avenge them upon those who had scattered them among the nations, and seized upon their land. ( Marg . Ref . d-f.- Notes , 3-8. Rev. 16:12-16, v . 16.)
The captivity of Judah , &c. (1) 'The proph'et's mentioning only the kingdom or tribe of Judah is a probable argument, that he was of 'that tribe, and lived after the captivity of the 'ten tribes.' Lowth .
V. 3--8. These verses represent the indignities and cruelties, which have been exercised on the Jews in different ages; and which will at length be all brought into the account: and whilst one special time of retribution is predicted, terror is spoken to all those in every age, who are guilty of these or similar crimes. The enemies of the Jews took them captives and enslaved them: yet they valued them so little, that they made them the stake in games of chance; nay, they used to sell a boy or girl into perpetual bondage, for the hire of a harlot, or for wine to indulge themselves in drink
14:14-20. 16:17-21. 19:11-21.) The pre-ing. ( Marg . Ref . g.-- Note , Am. 2:6--8.) But
ceding chapter led us, in the series of prophe- cy, to the establishment of Christianity, the de- struction of Jerusalem, and the dispersion of the unbelieving Jews. This was called "the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem," from which God will bring them back by their conversion to Christ; and this event will be attended, or followed, by the more complete calling of the Gentiles into the church. At that period the Lord will gather, in his providence, all the nations which continue at enmity with his people, that, by warring against them, they may bring destruction on themselves. "The valley of Jehoshaphat" may either mean the valley, in which the Lord destroyed the nu- merous enemies of that prince; (2 Chr . 20:26- 28.) or, alluding to the word "Jehoshaphat" which signifies The LORD hath judged , it may refer to the judgment, which God will denounce and execute on his enemies. ( Note , VOL. IV 95
what right had any of the oppressors of the Jews, (of which Tyre, Zidon, and the Philis- tines are mentioned, because of their vicinity to Canaan,) thus to intrude upon the inherit- ance which God had reserved for his people Israel? If they meant to retaliate on Israel for the judgments, which God had executed by them on their progenitors; he was determined speedily "to return their recompense upon their own heads." They plundered his people to enrich themselves, or the temples of their idols; and they sold the people also to be con- veyed into far distant nations: but the Lord purposed and engaged to restore them from their dispersed state, to avenge them on their oppressors, to give his worshippers the ascen- dency, and to enable them to reduce their foes to a state of similar debasement and misery ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . h. 1. m--p.-- Notes , Is. 14:1,2. 33:1. Jer . 49:1. Ez . 25: 26:2. 35: Am . 1: [753
9 Proclaim ye this among the Gen-|| 14 Multitudes, i multitudes in the valley tiles: * prepare war, wake up the mighty of decision: * for the day of the Lord is men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up.
10 Beat your plow-shares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together reund about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LorD.
12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: • for there will I sit to judge all the heathen
round about.
13 Put ye in the sickle, for vest is ripe: come, get ye down; press is full, the fats overflow; wickedness is great.
Ps. 96:10. Is. 34:1. Jer. 31:10. 50:2.
Heb. sanctify. Ez. 21:21,22. y Is. 8:9,10. Jer. 46:3,4. Ez.
38:7.
near in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the || Hope of his people, and the Strength of the children of İsrael.
17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be the har-holy, and there shall no strangers pass for the through her any more.
for their
36. 2 Thes. 1.7. Rev. 19:14. d 2,14. 2 Chr. 20:26. Ez. 39: 11. Zech. 14:4,5.
e Ps. 2:8,9. 7:6. 76:8,9. 96:13. 98:9. 110:5,6. Is. 2:4. Ez. 30: 3. Mic. 4:3. Rev. 19:11.
f Deut. 16:9. Mark 4:29. 14:15,16.
Rev.
g Jer. 51:33. Hos. 6:11. Matt. 13:39.
h Is. 633. Lam. 1:15. Rev. 14:17-20.
i Gen. 13:13. 15:16. 18:20.
6-12. Ob . 10–16. Zeph . 2:4-7. Zech . 9:1-6. 12:2-5.)-There are no events recorded in history, which entirely correspond with these predictions: perhaps the ruin of the Pagan Roman empire, which had destroyed Jerusalem and dispersed the Jews, might be adverted to; but the grand accomplishment seems to be yet in futurity, and the event alone can fully clear them up. The enemies and persecutors of the Christian church may be included in the interpretation, but Israel as a nation is especially intended.- Grecians . (6) Javanim , Ioni ans, Marg.-Note, Gen. 10:2-5.
V. 9-17. This is a challenge, publicly proclaimed, to the enemies of Israel and of the church, to excite themselves and each other to a combined assault. Let not only such as had been trained up to arms, and were warriors inured to battle, draw near; but let the husbandmen change their instruments of tillage into swords and spears; let the feeble and timid assume courage and affect strength; and let the heathen collect all their forces to battle against the worshippers of JEHOVAH. ( Marg . Ref . z.-Note, Is . 2:2-5, v . 4.)-'Peaceful times
18 And it shall come to pass in that
j Is. 34:2-8. 631-7. Ez. 38: 8-23.39:8-20. Rev. 16:14- 16. 19:19-21.
Or, concision. Phil. 3:2. or, threshing.
k 2:1. Ps. 37:13. 2 Pet. 3:7. 1 2:10,31. Is. 13:10. Matt. 24: 29. Luke 21:25,26. Rev. 6: 12,13.
m 2:11. Is. 42:13. Jer. 25:30. Hos. 11:10. Am. 1:2. 3:8.
n 2:10. Ez. 38:19,20. Hag 2: 6. Heb. 12:26,27. Rev. 11:13, 19. 16:18.
|| Heb. place of repair, oг,
harbor. Ps. 18:2. 61:3. 91:1,2. Prov. 18:10. Is. 33:16,21. 51:5, 6,16.
0 1 Sam. 15:29. Ps. 29:11. Zech. 10:6,12. 12:5-8.
p 21. 2:27. Ps. 9:11. 76:2. Is. 12:6. Ez. 48:35. Mic. 4:7. Zeph. 3:14-16.
q Dan. 11:45. Ob. 16. Zech. 8 :3.
r Is. 1:3. Jer. 31:23. Ez. 43: 12. Ob. 17. Zech. 14:20.
Heb. holiness.
s Is. 35:8. 52:1. Nah. 1:15. Zech. 14:21. Rev. 21:27.
pious. ( Marg . Ref . f-i.- Note , Rev. 14:14-20.) There can be no doubt that Joel predicted the same events, which John long afterwards did, in the passage referred to. Immense multi- tudes would be collected into "the valley of de- cision ," or " concision ," or " threshing ;" ( marg .) where their cause would be decided, and their doom pronounced, and executed in the ap- proaching day of the LORD, which would be attended with most alarming prodigies. ( Marg . Ref . j, k.- Notes , Ez . 38: 39:1-10,11-16, υυ. 11,16.
Dan . 11:40-45.) The Lord would roar as a lion against them out of Zion; as they were to be punished for their hatred to his cause, and their injuries to his people. ( Marg . Ref . m.) Then the whole visible creation would be thrown into the most violent com- motions, as if the final dissolution of all things were come: but in the midst of all these ter- rors, the Lord would enable his people to hope and rejoice in his mercy, truth, and powerful protection, and thus strengthen them against their fears and temptations. ( Marg.and Marg . Ref . 1. n, o.- Notes , Jer . 4:19-27. Nah . 1:2-6.
Matt . 24:29-31.) They should know and ex-
'are described by contrary expressions of turn-perience his gracious presence in his church;
and he would render her holy as well as se- cure; and preserve her from the injuries and intrusions heathens, infidels, such as were strangers to the power of godliness. ( Note , 1,2.)-Nothing took place, in the inter- val between the captivity and the coming of Christ, either in respect of the nations which fought against the Jews, or the purity and peace of Jerusalem, at all answerable to this energetic language. Strangers, one after an- other, took Jerusalem, and even polluted the temple; and after the coming of Christ, the Romans destroyed both, and they have ever since been "trodden under foot of the Gen- tiles." But the scriptures, referred to, shew that almost all the prophets foretel the same final
ing "swords into plow-shares, and spears 'into pruning hooks."" Lowth . "The mighty ones, ," the Lord was called upon to cause to come down, may either mean those potentates, that he would bring down as ap- pointed to the slaughter; or those whom he would employ as the executioners of his ven- geance. Some explain it of angels, as minis- ters of his vengeance. His enemies would come down to battle, expecting victory and triumph; but he would bring them down as criminals to be judged, condemned, and ex- ecuted. As their wickedness had been great, and they were ripe for judgment; the Lord would order his angels, or his servants, to put in the sickle, 10 reap the harvest, and to gather and tread the vintage, which would be very co-victory of the church, over all the nations
that oppose it; about the time when the Jews shall be converted, and restored to their own land; and just before the millennium, when "the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ." (Notes, Rev. 11:15-18. 19:11-21.) For, by comparing this prophecy with those in the
27:25.
Or, even I the LORD that dwelleth, &-c. 17. Rev. 21:3.
Revelation of John, where Israel is not sep-pears from the prediction, "that a fountain
arately mentioned, we may learn, that the destruction of the enemies of the church, and the triumphs of true religion in general, are predicted, and not exclusively the restoration of Israel, and the destruction of his enemies. The sublime description cannot but lead the reader to think of the end of the world, the day of judgment, and the heavenly Jerusalem: yet events preceding the millennium are evidently predicted.
Prepare war . (9) "Sanctify war, &c." Marg . (Note, Is . 13:2-5.) From thisexpression many
blems: it will be, as if the mountains should of themselves distil wine and milk in abundance; and every part of the land should be well watered, and exceedingly productive. ( Marg .
Ref . t, u. - Notes , Is . 30:23-25. 41:17-20. 43: 14-21.44:3-5.55:1-3,12,13.) Spiritual blessings are principally to be understood, as it apshould come forth of the house of the LORD , and water the valley of Shittim." ( Notes , Ezek . 47:1-12.) 'So the holy waters ( Ez . 47:) are 'described, as running from the altar as far as 'the Dead Sea, the east part of which bordered 'on the country of Moab, within whose border 'was the valley of Shittim.
Lowth . ( Num . 25: 1.)-'In this verse, (18) either the times of the 'Messiah are described; or we have a descrip'tion of Jerusalem, after its final restoration, 'when a golden age shall commence among its inhabitants, and when the knowledge of God gaged in on religious pretexts, and be a kind of diffused from it.- Egypt . (19) There shall be proclaimed crusade , or holy war , for the extir- 'a signal difference between Egypt and Idupation of restored Israel, and of the true 'mea, whose people shall be lost in the mass church of God: and indeed this does not ap- 'of other nations, and whose sovereignty shall 'not be restored; and Judah and Jerusalem, 'whose inhabitants shall be reinstated after 'their captivity; and on their future return, 'shall dwell for ever in their land, JEHOVAH 'displaying his glory among them.' Bp .
New . combe. The word blood , (21) may signify polThe valley of Jehoshaphat . (12) Joel... in- lution in general. ( Is . 4:4. Ez . 16:6.)-But the 'forms us, that the battle of the nations shall words chiefly import, that God will pardon 'not only be fought between the two seas, but 'the Jews the great crime of shedding the "in the valley of Jehoshaphat:" and St.
John 'blood of Christ, upon their sincere repent'predicts very definitely, that the saine battle 'ance; the guilt of which they had imprecated 'shall not only be fought in a land which ex- 'on themselves and their posterity; ( Matt . 27: 'tends 1600 furlongs; but in a certain place of 25.) and had felt the effects of God's displeas'that land called Armageddon. The "valley of 'ure on that account, for many ages.' Lowth .-Jehoshaphat" therefore, and "Armageddon" The promulgation of the gospel, and the progare one and the same region.
Now the word ress of the work will be attended by the ruin Jehoshaphal signifies the judgment of the of such nations and persons, as shall persist in ' LORD ; and the valley of the battle is indif- opposing them; on whom vengeance will be 'ferently styled by Joel, "the valley of Jehosha- taken for all the violence and persecutions, and "the valley of concision or de- which they have committed. ( Marg . Ref . z--b. 'struction." It is plain, therefore, that this is --Notes, Is. 34: 63:1--6.
Ez . 29:2--7.) 2 From 'not the proper , but only a descriptive name of this period the church will continue in a state 'and furnishes us with the literal proper name the Lord will then purify her from all the er'of the region, which is thus to be made the rors, abuses, and pollutions, which have hith'scene of the just the just judgment of God. Armaged- erto defiled and deformed her. For he "dwell'don signifies, the destruction of Megiddo. Fa- Fa -eth in Zion," among his people, and will at ber, Vol. II. p. 381. ( Notes , 1,2. Dan . 11:44,45. length render his cause triumphant. ( Marg .
conclude, that the war spoken of will be en- 'and his Christ, shall a second time be widely
pear at all improbable, from comparing the several prophecies already referred to. But as the fulfilment is yet future, I would by no means be confident as to the particulars of this last conflict, by which the glorious millennium will be introduced.
'the place.... Here then St. John steps forward, of peace and prosperity to the end of time:
Rev. 16:12-16, ν. 16.)
V. 18-21. At the time here foretold, a most abundant communication of divine influences will attend the administration of God's ordinances; there will be a rapid increase of converts, who will grow in grace, fru fruitfulness, and consolation in an extraordinary manner; and the gospel will spread very speedily sp dily into into the remotest corners of the earth. These events are predicted under significant em
and Ref . c, d.-- Notes , Is . 12:4--6. Ez . 48:30-35, v. 35.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1--8.
The appointed period of the troubles, to which the church and the believer are exposed, is frequently "a day of vengeance" on their enemies and persecutors: and all who have
scattered, plundered, or injured the servants of God, will certainly be called to a severe account.--While men spend upon one vice what they gain by another, they rapidly "treasure up wrath against the day of wrath," and shew the atrociousness of their impiety and proffigacy.-Enmity to God, and persecution of his people, have generally been connected with the most degrading sensuality.
But how wonderful is it, that men can sport with the miseries of their own species! can give a momentary worthless gratification a decided preference to the most important and permanent interests of their neighbors! and can subject even those, who were incapable of offending them, to the extremity of hardship and anguish, without reluctance, from such mean and base motives!
The Lord will review all these infamous transactions in due time: he will utterly disregard all the compensations, which oppressors would make for their crimes, by ostentatious liberality or hypocritical shews of piety: and their opposition to his will can avail nothing; but "swiftly and suddenly will he return their recompense upon their own heads." He will make them refund their treasures, which they have gotten by sacrilege, persecution, oppression, and cruelty; or by selling his rational creatures, or his worshippers, for slaves as cattle, tearing them from their beloved relatives, and removing them far from their borders.
They cannot be sure, but that they may fall into the hands of those, whom they have thus cruelly injured: and perhaps their wrongs may be retaliated on them or their children; and their ill-gotten estates may descend with this encumbrance to their heirs.
V. 9-20.
certainly be inflicted on all impenitent oppressors, and sinners of every description, when the Lord shall call the nations to his tribunal. As men ripen for his judgments, they are cut down, like the harvest or vintage, by the executioners of his vengeance: and the whole multitude will shortly be assembled to hear the righteous sentence denounced against them. He, who now reigns on a throne of grace, as a merciful Savior, will then avenge himself on the despisers of his grace, and the opposers of his cause; and his wrath from mount Zion will be more tremendous, than that from Sinai.
But amidst all the trials of life, 'in the hour of death, and in the day of 'judgment, the Lord will be the Hope and Confidence of his people, and the Support and "Strength of the children of Israel." Various degrees of peace, prosperity, and purity have been, and will be, found in the church on earth; and we should look forward in hope and with earnest prayers, for those glorious days, which are foretold: but in heaven alone will perfect holiness and felicity be enjoyed.
No strangers will enter the church triumphant, to defile those happy regions; no sin, temptation, or infirmity will then disturb our peace: for the Lord will fully cleanse every one of the blessed company, previous to their admission; that he may manifest his presence and love with them for evermore.
May we then be 'numbered with his saints in glory everlast'ing:' and while we wait on earth for this our rest and inheritance; may our prayers be incessantly poured forth for the predicted enlargement, peace, and purity of the church, and our talents and influence employed to the utmost, in forwarding every scriptural plan and effort, for the promoting of that most
Most dreadful yet deserved punishment will blessed event.
THE
BOOK OF AMOS.
THOUGH this prophet was of Tekoa, a city in the tribe of Judah: (2 Chr . 11:5,6.) ... yet he 'dwelt in Israel, and prophesied chiefly against that kingdom. He was a shepherd, and 'herdsman, and a gatherer of sycamore-fruit; (7:14.) but rural employments were general 'and honorable among his countrymen. However, in the words, "I was no prophet, neither 'was I the son of a prophet," he seems to distinguish himself from those who were educated 'in the schools founded by Samuel.
He borrows many images from the scenes in which he 'had been engaged; and gives them force and dignity, by the eloquence and grandeur of his 'manner. We shall find in him many affecting and pathetic, many elegant and sublime 'passages. No prophet hath more magnificently described the Deity; or more gravely rebuked the luxurious; or reproved injustice and oppression with greater warmth and a 'more generous indignation. An eminent judge and master of style, ( Bp .
Lowth ,) pronounces 'him nearly equal to the very first prophets in elevation of sentiments and loftiness of spirit, 'and scarcely inferior to any in splendor of diction and beauty of composition.' Bp . Newcombe. -Amos was contemporary with Hosea: but it is supposed by the inost competent judges, that he began to prophesy before him, and continued in his office a much shorter tinie. He has been confounded with Amoz , the father of Isaiah; but the names in the original are very different.
He delivered prophecies against several of the neighboring nations, and against Judah; but he exercised his ministry chiefly in Israel. In coincidence with the other prophets, he foretold the captivity and dispersion of the whole house of Israel, their preservation in this dispersed state as a distinct people, the coming and kingdom of Christ, the conversion of the Gentiles, the final triumphs of the church, and the future restoration of Israel: and that part of these predictions, which has been most wonderfully accomplished, is a sure pledge for the fulfilment of all the rest.
Two of his prophecies are expressly quoted in the New Testament; (Com. 5:25-27. with Acts 7:42,43.-and 9:11,12. with Acts 15:15-17.) in both of which his prophetical character is strongly attested.