And if this daring contempt of the commandments of God was highly reprehensible even in itself, it became perfectly inexcusable if we bear in mind that Israel was indebted to the Lord its God for its elevation into an independent nation, and also for its sacred calling. For this reason, the prophet reminds the people of the manifestations of grace which it had received from its God (Amos 2:9-11). Amos 2:9. "And yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and who was strong as the oaks; and I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath. Amos 2:10. And yet I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years in the desert, to take possession of the land of the Amorite." The repeated ואנכי is used with peculiar emphasis, and serves to bring out the contrast between the conduct of the Israelites towards the Lord, and the fidelity of the Lord towards Israel. Of the two manifestations of divine grace to which Israel owed its existence as an independent nation, Amos mentions first of all the destruction of the former inhabitants of Canaan (Exodus 23:27., Exodus 34:11); and secondly, what was earlier in point of time, namely, the deliverance out of Egypt and guidance through the Arabian desert; not because the former act of God was greater than the latter, but in order to place first what the Lord had done for the nation, that he may be able to append to this what He still continues to do (Amos 2:11). The nations destroyed before Israel are called Amorites, from the most powerful of the Canaanitish tribes, as in Genesis 15:16; Joshua 24:15, etc. To show, however, that Israel was not able to destroy this people by its own strength, but that Jehovah the Almighty God alone could accomplish this, he proceeds to transfer to the whole nation what the Israelitish spies reported as to their size, more especially as to the size of particular giants (Numbers 13:32-33), and describes the Amorites as giants as lofty as trees and as strong as trees, and, continuing the same figure, depicts their utter destruction or extermination as the destruction of their fruit and of their roots. For this figure of speech, in which the posterity of a nation is regarded as its fruit, and the kernel of the nation out of which it springs as the root, see Ezekiel 17:9; Hosea 9:16; Job 18:16. These two manifestations of divine mercy Moses impressed more than once upon the hearts of the people in his last addresses, to urge them in consequence to hold fast to the divine commandments and to the love of God (cf. Deuteronomy 8:2., Deuteronomy 9:1-6; Deuteronomy 29:1-8).

Jonah 1:7 Parallel Commentaries

every.

Judges 7:13,14 And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream to his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and...

Isaiah 41:6,7 They helped every one his neighbor; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage...

and let.

Joshua 7:14-18 In the morning therefore you shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be...

Judges 20:9,10 But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it...

1 Samuel 10:20,21 And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken...

1 Samuel 14:41,42 Therefore Saul said to the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped...

Esther 3:7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot...

Psalm 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots on my clothing.

Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Matthew 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet...

Acts 1:23-26 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias...

Acts 13:19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

for.

Joshua 7:10,13 And the LORD said to Joshua, Get you up; why lie you thus on your face...

Joshua 22:16-20 Thus said the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel...

1 Samuel 14:38,39 And Saul said, Draw you near here, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin has been this day...

Job 10:2 I will say to God, Do not condemn me; show me why you contend with me.

and the.

Numbers 32:23 But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

Joshua 7:18 And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah...

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness...