Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Amos 8

Sinful times are here attended with sorrowful times, so necessary is the connexion between them; it is threatened here again and again that the laughter shall be turned into mourning. I. By the vision of “basket of summer-fruit” is signified the hastening on of the ruin threatened (Amos 8:1-8:3) and that shall change their note. II. Oppressors are here called to an account for their abusing the poor; and their destruction is foretold, which will set them a mourning, Amos 8:4-8:10. III. A famine of the word of God is here made the punishment of a people that go a whoring after other gods (Amos 8:11-8:14); yet for this, which is the most mournful judgment of all, they are not here brought in mourning. MHBCC 888.1