A brief exposition on the XII. smal prophets: the first volume containing an exposition on the prophecies of Hosea, Joel, & Amos. By George Hutcheson, minister at Edenburgh.

Verse 1. THe words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel, in the days of Ʋzziah King

of Judah; and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash King of Israel, two yeers before the earthquake.

The inscription of this Prophecy, holds forth first, That Amos who carried this message, was but a meane man of Tekoa in Judah, (of which 2. Chro. 11, 5, 6. Jer. 6.1.) and of a mean employment, being but an Herdman and of the meanest sort; not one who had herds which were kept and fed by others, (as the word here used somtime signifieth, 2. Kings, 3, 4.) but one who was either a mean servant to others, or at best, a mean man who fed his own cattel, as appeareth from Chap. 7.15. Secondly it holds forth that he was sent especially to Jsrael, though he deale also with others upon occasion. And thirdly that he re∣ceived his Divine message, and began his preaching in the days of Ʋzziah and Jeroboam the second, two years before that earthquake of which mention is made onely here and Zech. 14.5. Some conceive it to have been in the year of Ʋzziahs death, and that it is hinted at Isa. 6.1, 4: Others, that it was at the time of his presuming to offer incense, 2. Chron. 26.16. as another testimony (beside his leprosie, 2. Chron. 26.20.) of divine displeasure a∣gainst his course; But at whatever time it was, this is cer∣tain, that hereby the Lord gave warning of great and dreadful commotions and alterations that were to be a∣mong these Nations, as accordingly came to passe on Israel after the death of Jeroboam the second. Doct. 1. The word of the Lord ought not to be rejected in the mouth of meanest instruments; nor is their authority to be suspected or con∣demned because they are meane; for Amos who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, hath the words which he saw concerning Israel. 2. Albeit that men ought not to usurp the mini∣sterial calling, nor leave their mechanick and servile em∣ployments, to intrude themselves upon it, (for, Amos had an extraordinary calling) and albeit men who are called to that office, ought not to tempt God, by neglecting law∣ful means appointed for their enabling to discharge their calling, (for, the endowments of Amos, who was, not bred for that calling, Chap. 7.14 were by extraordinary dis∣pensation) Yet such as are called of God, and are conscious to themselves of much insufficency and inability, though

they use means; such I say have notable encouragment to come to God for teaching and furniture in an ordinary way, who hath given such proofe of his fulnesse in raising up and instructing this herdman to be his extraordinary Ambassadour. 3. Such as give but ill entertainment to the messages they receive, may get rougher messages sent unto them; and such as despise eminent and discreet mes∣sengers, God may send such to them as will use them more roughly; for Israel had many notable Prophets both before and at this time, who being despised, he employes this herdman, who was not onely hatefull to them, as being a Jew and a base man, and so it might lay their pride when God sent such a one unto them; but God makes use of his rustick and rude humour, that they might be dealt with plainly and roughly, who now through their own obsti∣nacy were become like the brute beasts which Amos had kept before. 4. Such as are called of God, were they never so mean, may boldly and on all hazards declare his minde to a sinfull people; and their courage is a testimony of their calling, witnessing against all despisers; for as Amos durst deale freely with Israel, and tell the words which he saw concerning Israel; so the Lord did convince Israel that he was called by him, in that he durst leave his own coun∣try, and trusting in God, durst deale freely with this flourishing Kingdom, according to their deservings. 5. It is a great snare to a wicked Nation, when they prosper notwithstanding their wickednesse; and there is need in such a case, that the wrath of God pursuing sin be frequent∣ly inculcate from the word, that men may not deceive them∣selves; therefore is Amos (as well as Hosea) sent with these hard tidings; in the days of Ʋzziah, and in the days of Jeroboam &c. Both of which had prosperous reignes, at least for a time, 2. Kings 14, 23, 24, 25, &c. 2. Chron, 26. 3, 6, 7. 6. When the Word of the Lord is not regarded, it is just with him to preach to a people by his judgements, and by unnatural and extraordinary signes and wonders, to let them know his anger; so much may be gathered from this Earthquake which was a terrible stroak and warning to that people who beleived not, and therefore is taken special notice of here, and long after. Zech. 14.5.