Amos 6:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Instead, as Scripture states, they “reaped” on the high places “under the oak and the fir tree and the branching tree” (Hosea 4:13), serving the host of heaven. As a result, the Almighty, deeply offended, declared to Jeremiah, “But thou shalt not pray for these men, nor ask that they may be pardoned, neither shalt thou come unto me for them” in prayer and supplication, “for I will not hear (thee).” He justified His disgust by saying, “Dost thou not see what these do in the cities of Judah, and in the paths of Jerusalem? Their sons gather wood, and their fathers kindle fire, and their wives knead flour, that they may make unleavened bread for the host of heaven, and pour libations unto strange gods, that they may provoke me to anger” (Jeremiah 7:16-18). Thus, the inhabitants of Jerusalem have belittled Zion.

It is fitting to label them as fierce, similar to those who dwell in Samaria and rely solely on themselves; they believed they could triumph over their enemies, enjoy endless blessings, and secure their happiness without God. However, how tragic it is to stoop to such folly, disregarding love for God, clinging to falsehoods, committing injustices, and believing they can attain goodness apart from His providence! For "every gift is good, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17). Therefore, it is truly commendable to seek Him as our hope and support. The leaders of ungodly doctrines, who pride themselves on their rhetoric and the flawed reasoning of worldly wisdom, also demean Zion, referring to the Church. They, above all else, are the most concerned with this issue.

The opportunities for understanding will be opened, and the Israelite community shall enter in. All shall journey past Halanu and see, then transition into great Emath, and descend to Geth, a significant city among foreign nations; the limits of their territories surely cannot compare to yours. This indicates their ingratitude and failure to acknowledge the numerous blessings they received, for which they ought to have expressed profound gratitude and offered songs of thanks. He not only rescued them from grievous and unbearable oppression but also led them into the promised land for their forefathers, vanquishing many formidable nations experienced in warfare. David once proclaimed to God regarding Israel, “The grapes out of Egypt thou hast brought forth: thou hast cast out tongues, and planted them also” (Psalms 79:9). Consequently, they are rightly reproached for their ingratitude and for provoking the Benevolent One through their immoral conduct.

Thus, it is stated that they seized the beginnings of nations and claimed the land as their own, owing to God’s intervention in overthrowing their enemies and displaying His incomprehensible power against those who resisted. To help them recognize the vastness of the land they inherited, rich in resources and goodness, he urged them to examine the boundaries of neighboring nations. He instructed them to visit Emath Raba (the great) and Geth of the foreigners, emphasizing how their limits exceeded theirs. Various kingdoms existed, such as those of the Moabites, Edomites, and Ammonites, but none held any significance like those of Damascus and the Philistines. There were two cities falling under the influence of Damascus, eastward, both named Emath; one was larger and more important, while the other was smaller. It is believed that the greater Emath corresponds to present-day Antioch, while the lesser is associated with the city of Epiphanius Antiochus, also known as Epiphanes.

At that time, Geth was a principal city in present-day Palestine, inhabited by the Habakim and Philistines, as Israel had not yet displaced them. Therefore, it is described as "in Geth the foreigners." He instructed them to investigate carefully whether they reside in a land that is vaster, better, and superior to all others. It should be noted that the Hebrew text mentions Halana first: "Go, he says, to Halana, and to Emath, and to Geth." Halana was a city under Persian rule, known today as Lysippa. Given that the Hebrew text also references the Persian kingdom, this may explain why Stephen referred to Babylon rather than Damascus.

The evidence of their ingratitude is clear: having inherited a broad and fertile land, they failed to express gratitude to God, disregarding the honor of Zion. Instead, some denigrated it while others relied on the mountain of Samaria. This rebuke appears to extend even to those who, having believed, marvel at Greek wisdom, mistakenly considering their views superior while gravitating toward those who distort the truth and misinterpret the Church’s teachings. The exhortation resonates with them: "Go to the great Emath and to the Geth of the foreigners, and see if their limits are greater than yours.” Indeed, the divinely inspired Scriptures, which illuminate the truth and convey knowledge of sound doctrine, and elevate the faithful towards virtue, surpass the trivialities of Greek discourse. The word of truth transcends the confines of heresy; those who oppose it find themselves drowning in shallow and murky speculations. Conversely, those who embrace pious doctrine and delve into the radiant splendor of truth venture into the expansive sea of contemplation, capturing "every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). When the Corinthians strayed from the sacred mandate delivered to them, Paul implored them by saying, "Our mouth is opened to you, Corinthians; our heart is opened to you, Corinthians; our heart is enlarged," warning them not to be yoked together with the unfaithful (2 Corinthians 6:11-14).

Those previously mentioned, the elites, the leaders of nations, the wealthy in Zion, and those relying on the heights of Samaria. Therefore, move to the principal city of Jerseia, carefully observe, and then travel to the great Emath, known today as Antioch. The term "great" contrasts with the smaller Emath, known as Epiphany. The initial waypoint for those heading to Mesopotamia is termed "Emmas," which, despite the alteration of its name, retains signs of its original designation. The surrounding area is called "Reblatha," where, in the presence of Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah’s sons were executed, and his eyes were put out. And he instructs, "Go down to the Geth of the Philistines." You who reside on Mount Zion and Mount Samaria, descend to the dwellers in the plains and to all their esteemed realms, including the cities of Gaza, Ascalon, Azotus, Akkaron, and Geth. Investigate if their boundaries expand beyond yours. In examining this, take note of whether you or they dominate the more extensive lands. You, a remnant of Israel set aside for the day of captivity, are approaching wickedness as you seek the unjust ruler, Babylon’s king. Despite this impending judgment, you remain reclined on luxurious beds and indulge in pleasures. Your feasting is not for nourishment but for indulgence, as you seek the finest cuts and tender meats. Your delight is in music, akin to David’s service to God, twisted for personal enjoyment. You drink wine from bowls, not to quench thirst but to satisfy your carnal desires. And the oils you apply are not for relief but for opulence. In your indulgence, you disregard those in ruin, treating them as mere beasts, lost in their plight.

The prophet Ezekiel also conveys this message through the image of shepherds: they consume the sheep’s milk and clothe themselves with wool while neglecting to tend to the wounded, strengthen the weak, or seek the lost (Ezekiel 34:3-4). Each historical consideration reflects deeper meanings; thus, heed the words directed towards Israel, detached from Me, who place hope in Samaria’s heights, looking to their strongholds. Emath Rabbah symbolizes this as you quietly descend into the abyss, where those intoxicated fall — this is represented by Geth and the Philistines. Reflect on the finest cities in all kingdoms, and consider if their reach is wider than yours. Assess the philosophies of nations, Egyptians, Indians, and Persians; their boundaries align with Scriptural limits, for "their voice has gone out into all the earth, and to the ends of the world their words" (Psalm 18:5).

What vices propel you toward this impending darkness? "You who approach the day of evil," you prepare yourselves through sin, not surmising the truth that each day depends on your actions. Remember the wise words of Ecclesiastes: do not long for past days, as it is foolish to believe yesterday was better without inquiring wisely about the present (Eccl. 7:11). These are they who touch false Sabbaths. Just as there is a fleshly circumcision and a circumcision of the heart, revealing the duality in those known as Jews, so too are there holy Sabbaths rooted in truth, contrasted with those rooted in falsehood, relying on the stagnant letter that kills.

When it states, "sleep on beds of ivory," it implies that a true servant of the Lord, training for spiritual battles, rests upon the bare ground, like Jacob (Gen. 28), using a stone rejected by builders as a pillow, transformed into the cornerstone (Luke 20:17). Conversely, those who indulge in earthly pleasures, bound to their comforts, rest upon luxury that is lifeless and driven by whims. Such vices captivate their senses, leading to lethargy. They desire not the sustenance essential for spiritual fortitude but instead indulge in the richest and softest meats, choosing lambs and calves raised on milk.

Furthermore, their revelry invokes no true worship; let the discerning reader clarify that scriptural praises do not align with mere applause but reflect sincere worship of God. In contrast, those who indulge regard the fleeting as static; amid the world's chaos, everything is transient and ever-changing. We find in secular literature reflections of this transience, such as time slipping away and years passing swiftly. Life is marked by a relentless progression through the stages of human existence until we encounter the ultimate end.

The phrase "they drink strained wine" applies to heretics who selectively embrace parts of Scripture, muddling the pure teachings. They obtain the markings of leadership while stripping the texts of clarity. These false teachers care little for the fate of those misled, reveling instead in the despair of others. The particular notion that they deemed their musical instruments as steady, not transient, adds a profound insight not found in the original text, perhaps reflecting a deeper commentary on their hollow pleasures, rather than mere translation, revealing a moral reflection on their vices and indulgences.