For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts.
Amos was a herdsman and fruit gardener of Tekoa called to prophesy to the northern kingdom at Bethel and Samaria against idolatry and depravity during the reign of Jeroboam II just after his great successes. The verse belongs to that time when prosperity brought luxury built through violence and robbery. Excessive luxury and drunkenness brought about Israel's impending downfall.
The Lord himself commands the striking of the great house with breaches and the little house with clefts. That judgment reaches both great and small across the land. Justice between people is a divine foundation of society. Privilege implies responsibility, and failure to recognize it will surely bring punishment. Nations and individuals must live up to the light given them, and elaborate worship insults God when will and conduct do not conform to his requirements.
The smiting is the especial punishment of pride, vain show and aristocracy. It falls on being at ease in Zion, putting far away the evil day, chanting and worldly music, drinking and anointing with luxury without grief for affliction. It falls on rejoicing in a thing of naught while boasting in strength. The great and small proud church buildings and high towers of Babylon with their builders shall perish together in the soon-coming day of the Lord's wrath and fury, and the prophecy has reference to the present time.
Amos was a herdsman and fruit gardener of Tekoa called to prophesy to the northern kingdom at Bethel and Samaria against idolatry and depravity during the reign of Jeroboam II just after his great successes. The verse belongs to that time when prosperity brought luxury built through violence and robbery. Excessive luxury and drunkenness brought about Israel's impending downfall.
The Lord himself commands the striking of the great house with breaches and the little house with clefts. That judgment reaches both great and small across the land. Justice between people is a divine foundation of society. Privilege implies responsibility, and failure to recognize it will surely bring punishment. Nations and individuals must live up to the light given them, and elaborate worship insults God when will and conduct do not conform to his requirements.
The smiting is the especial punishment of pride, vain show and aristocracy. It falls on being at ease in Zion, putting far away the evil day, chanting and worldly music, drinking and anointing with luxury without grief for affliction. It falls on rejoicing in a thing of naught while boasting in strength. The great and small proud church buildings and high towers of Babylon with their builders shall perish together in the soon-coming day of the Lord's wrath and fury, and the prophecy has reference to the present time.