The Lord GOD of Hosts, He who touches the earth and it melts, and all its dwellers mourn--all the land rises like the Nile, then sinks like the river of Egypt-- The Lord GOD of HostsThis phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and supreme authority of God. "The Lord GOD" translates from the Hebrew "Adonai Yahweh," which underscores His lordship and covenant relationship with Israel. "Hosts" refers to the heavenly armies, indicating God's command over all celestial and earthly forces. Historically, this title reassures believers of God's omnipotence and His ability to execute judgment and deliverance. He who touches the earth and it melts
The imagery of God touching the earth and causing it to melt conveys His immense power over creation. The Hebrew word for "touches" (נָגַע, naga) implies a direct and intentional action. The earth "melting" symbolizes the overwhelming impact of God's presence, reminiscent of mountains melting in the presence of the Lord as seen in other scriptural passages (e.g., Psalm 97:5). This serves as a reminder of God's ability to bring about both physical and spiritual transformation. and all who dwell in it mourn
The mourning of the inhabitants signifies the universal recognition of God's judgment. The Hebrew root for "mourn" (אָבַל, abal) often denotes a deep, lamenting sorrow. This phrase reflects the historical context of Israel's impending judgment due to their disobedience, serving as a call to repentance and acknowledgment of God's righteous standards. all of it rises like the Nile
The comparison to the Nile River, known for its annual flooding, illustrates the overwhelming and unstoppable nature of God's judgment. The rising of the Nile was a familiar phenomenon to the Israelites, symbolizing both life-giving and destructive power. This metaphor highlights the certainty and magnitude of God's actions, urging believers to recognize His control over natural and historical events. then sinks like the Nile of Egypt
Just as the Nile's waters recede after flooding, this phrase suggests the temporary nature of God's judgment, followed by restoration. The cyclical rise and fall of the Nile were crucial for Egypt's agriculture, symbolizing both judgment and renewal. This imagery reassures believers of God's ultimate plan for restoration and hope, even amidst discipline, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of redemption. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Lord GOD of HostsThis title emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all creation. It reflects His role as the commander of heavenly armies and His sovereignty over the earth. 2. The EarthRepresents the physical world and its inhabitants, highlighting the impact of God's power on creation. 3. The NileA significant river in Egypt, known for its annual flooding, which symbolizes both life and destruction. The imagery of the Nile rising and sinking is used to describe the earth's response to God's touch. 4. EgyptA historical and symbolic place of bondage and idolatry, often used in the Bible to represent worldly power and opposition to God. 5. Mourning InhabitantsThe people who experience the consequences of God's judgment, reflecting the universal impact of His actions. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over CreationRecognize that God has ultimate control over the natural world. His touch can bring both blessing and judgment, reminding us of His power and authority. The Reality of Divine JudgmentUnderstand that God's judgment is real and affects all creation. This should lead us to live in reverence and obedience to Him. Symbolism of the NileReflect on the dual nature of the Nile as a source of life and destruction. Consider how God's actions can bring both renewal and devastation, depending on our response to Him. Call to RepentanceThe mourning of the earth's inhabitants serves as a call to repentance. We should examine our lives and turn back to God, seeking His mercy and grace. Hope in God's JusticeWhile God's judgment is severe, it is also just. We can find hope in knowing that God will ultimately set things right and bring justice to the earth. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the title "The Lord GOD of Hosts" in Amos 9:5 enhance our understanding of God's character and authority? 2. In what ways does the imagery of the Nile rising and sinking help us comprehend the impact of God's judgment on the earth? 3. How can the historical context of Egypt's plagues inform our understanding of God's power and judgment in Amos 9:5? 4. What practical steps can we take to live in reverence and obedience to God, knowing His sovereignty over creation? 5. How can we find hope and assurance in God's justice, even amidst the reality of His judgment as described in Amos 9:5? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 7-12The plagues of Egypt demonstrate God's power over creation and His ability to bring judgment upon a nation, similar to the imagery in Amos 9:5. Psalm 46This psalm speaks of God's power over the earth and His ability to bring both destruction and peace, paralleling the themes of divine sovereignty and judgment. Isaiah 24Describes the earth's response to God's judgment, with the earth mourning and languishing, similar to the imagery in Amos. People Amos, Aram, Assyrians, Cushites, David, Ethiopians, Jacob, SyriansPlaces Caphtor, Carmel, Edom, Egypt, Kir, Nile RiverTopics Armies, Drowned, Dwell, Egypt, Flood, Hosts, Inhabitants, Melt, Melteth, Melts, Mourn, Mourned, Nile, Overflowing, Rise, Rises, Riseth, River, Sink, Sinketh, Sinks, Sorrow, Striking, Subsides, Sunk, Therein, Touch, Touches, Toucheth, WhollyDictionary of Bible Themes Amos 9:5 1235 God, the LORD
5194 touch Library A Revival Sermon
But, my dear friends, while this promise will doubtless be carried out, and every word of it shall be verified, so that the hill-tops of that country shall again bear the vine, and the land shall flow with wine, yet, I take it, this is more fully a spiritual than a temporal promise; and I think that the beginning of its fulfilment is now to be discerned, and we shall see the Lord's good hand upon us, so that is ploughman shall overtake the reaper, the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all he hills …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860The Prophecy of Obadiah.
We need not enter into details regarding the question as to the time when the prophet wrote. By a thorough argumentation, Caspari has proved, that he occupies his right position in the Canon, and hence belongs to the earliest age of written prophecy, i.e., to the time of Jeroboam II. and Uzziah. As bearing conclusively against those who would assign to him a far later date, viz., the time of the exile, there is not only the indirect testimony borne by the place which this prophecy occupies in …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Letter ix. Meditation.
"Meditate upon these things."--1 TIM. 4:15. MY DEAR SISTER: The subject of this letter is intimately connected with that of the last; and in proportion to your faithfulness in the duty now under consideration, will be your interest in the word and worship of God. Religious meditation is a serious, devout and practical thinking of divine things; a duty enjoined in Scripture, both by precept and example; and concerning which, let us observe, 1. Its importance. That God has required it, ought to …
Harvey Newcomb—A Practical Directory for Young Christian Females The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Interpretation of Prophecy.
1. The scriptural idea of prophecy is widely removed from that of human foresight and presentiment. It is that of a revelation made by the Holy Spirit respecting the future, always in the interest of God's kingdom. It is no part of the plan of prophecy to gratify vain curiosity respecting "the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts 1:7. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God"--this is its key-note. In its form it is carefully adapted to this great end. …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Power of God
The next attribute is God's power. Job 9:19. If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong.' In this chapter is a magnificent description of God's power. Lo, he is strong.' The Hebrew word for strong signifies a conquering, prevailing strength. He is strong.' The superlative degree is intended here; viz., He is most strong. He is called El-shaddai, God almighty. Gen 17:7. His almightiness lies in this, that he can do whatever is feasible. Divines distinguish between authority and power. God has both. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Doctrine of the Last Things.
A. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. B. THE RESURRECTION. C. THE JUDGMENT. D. THE DESTINY OF THE WICKED. E. THE REWARD OF THE RIGHTEOUS. THE DOCTRINE OF THE LAST THINGS. Under this caption are treated such doctrines as the Second Coming of Christ, the Resurrection of both the righteous and wicked, the Judgments, Final Awards, and Eternal Destiny. A. THE SECOND COMING OF CHEIST. I. ITS IMPORTANCE. 1. PROMINENCE IN THE SCRIPTURES. 2. THE CHRISTIAN HOPE. 3. THE CHRISTIAN INCENTIVE. 4. THE CHRISTIAN COMFORT. …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible Baptism
Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them,' &c. Matt 28: 19. I. The way whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemptions, is, in the use of the sacraments. What are the sacraments in general? They are visible signs of invisible grace. Is not the word of God sufficient to salvation? What need then is there of sacraments? We must not be wise above what is written. It is God's will that his church …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Links Amos 9:5 NIVAmos 9:5 NLTAmos 9:5 ESVAmos 9:5 NASBAmos 9:5 KJV
Amos 9:5 Commentaries
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