©1997 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
4. Vision of the Summer Fruit (8:1–14) 5. Vision of the Lord (9:1–10) ©1997 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
AMOS—NOTE ON 8:8 tossed about and sink again, like the Nile of Egypt. Like the Nile, which annually provided water and rich soil deposits for farmers by greatly overflowing its banks, so judgment would overflow the land.
AMOS—NOTE ON 8:9 the sun go down at noon. Probably referring to the total eclipse of the sun c. 763 B.C. as a picture of God's coming judgment.
AMOS—NOTE ON 8:10 sackcloth. See note on Joel 1:8.
AMOS—NOTE ON 8:11–12 During prosperity, the nation rejected the prophets (cf. 7:10–17); in captivity no word from the Lord could be found (cf. 1 Sam. 28:6ff.).
AMOS—NOTE ON 8:14 Samaria . . . Dan. Jeroboam I built altars at both locations in an effort to keep Israel from going to Jerusalem to worship (1 Kings 12:26– 29). Beersheba. See note on Amos 5:5.
AMOS—NOTE ON 9:1 The fifth vision opens with the Lord standing beside the altar in Bethel, commanding that the temple be torn down, thus falling upon the worshipers. He would spare none.
AMOS—NOTE ON 9:2–4 Desperate to escape, none will successfully hide from the hand of judgment. Righteous David found solace in the omnipresence of God (Ps. 139:7–10; cf. Jer. 23:23–24); the wicked find only his wrath (cf. Rev. 20:13).
AMOS—NOTE ON 9:3 Carmel. A mountainous region, rising 1,800 feet above the Mediterranean, known for its many caves and forests. See note on 1:2.
AMOS—NOTE ON 9:5–9 Lest anyone question the Lord's power, they are reminded of his omnipotence revealed in creation and in his sovereign rulership of the nations. Other nations have been transplanted from their homelands; why not Israel?
AMOS—NOTE ON 9:5 the Nile. See note on 8:8.
AMOS—NOTE ON 9:7 Kir. See note on 1:5.