51 Listen to this word which I take up for a lamentation over you, O house of Israel. 2 “The virgin of Israel has fallen;
She shall rise no more.
She is cast down on her land;
there is no one to raise her up.” 3 For thus says the Lord Yahweh:
“The city that went forth a thousand shall have a hundred left,
and that which went forth one hundred shall have ten left to the house of Israel.”
4 For thus says Yahweh to the house of Israel:
“Seek me, and you will live; 5 but don’t seek Bethel,
nor enter into Gilgal,
and don’t pass to Beersheba:
for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity,
and Bethel shall come to nothing. 6 Seek Yahweh, and you will live;
lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph,
and it devour, and there be no one to quench it in Bethel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Amos 5:1-6
Commentary on Amos 5:1-6
(Read Amos 5:1-6)
The convincing, awakening word must be heard and heeded, as well as words of comfort and peace; for whether we hear or forbear, the word of God shall take effect. The Lord still proclaims mercy to men, but they often expect deliverance from such self-invented forms as make their condemnation sure. While they refuse to come to Christ and to seek mercy in and by him, that they may live, the fire of Divine wrath breaks forth upon them. Men may make an idol of the world, but will find it cannot protect.