Amos 9

“I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the Lord GOD of hosts is he that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourn: and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include earth, buildeth, calleth. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD . Have not I brought up Israel…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth…” Naming Jacob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that…” Naming Edom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD , that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.