51 Hear this word that I am bearing to you, A lamentation, O house of Israel: 2 'Fallen, not again to rise, hath the virgin of Israel, Left on her land—she hath no raiser up.' 3 For thus said the Lord Jehovah: The city that is going out a thousand, Doth leave an hundred, And that which is going out an hundred, Doth leave ten to the house of Israel.
4 For thus said Jehovah to the house of Israel: Seek ye Me, and live, 5 And seek not Beth-El, and Gilgal enter not, And Beer-Sheba pass not through, For Gilgal doth utterly remove, And Beth-El doth become vanity. 6 Seek ye Jehovah, and live, Lest He prosper as fire 'against' the house of Joseph, And it hath consumed, And there is no quencher for Beth-El.
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.