Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary

Amos

Amos 1

Chapter Contents

Judgments against the Syrians, Philistines, Tyrians, Edomites, and Ammonites. MHBC 881.1

GOD employed a shepherd, a herdsman, to reprove and warn the people. Those to whom God gives abilities for his services, ought not to be despised for their origin, or their employment. Judgments are denounced against the neighbouring nations, the oppressors of God's people. The number of transgressions does not here mean that exact number, but many: they had filled the measure of their sins, and were ripe for vengeance. The method in dealing with these nations is, in part, the same, yet in each there is something peculiar. In all ages this bitterness has been shown against the Lord's people. When the Lord reckons with his enemies, how tremendous are his judgments! MHBC 881.2