Amos 7:1
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Amos 7:1
1 Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings.
Chapter Context
Amos 7 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of fellowship, salvation, prayer. Written during the prosperous period of Jeroboam II (c. 760-750 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Economic prosperity masked serious social injustice and religious hypocrisy.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-17: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Amos and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Amos 7:1
1 Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings.
Analysis
Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me (koh hir'ani Adonai YHWH, כֹּה הִרְאַנִי אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה)—this introduces the first of five symbolic visions (7:1-9, 8:1-3, 9:1-4) revealing God's intentions toward Israel. The phrase "showed me" (hir'ani, from רָאָה ra'ah, "to see") indicates prophetic vision—God visually reveals His purposes to Amos, who then reports them.
He formed grasshoppers (yotzer govai, יוֹצֵר גֹּבַי)—the verb yatsar (יָצַר, "formed/fashioned") is used of God creating Adam (Genesis 2:7) and forming Israel (Isaiah 43:1, 44:2, 21). Here God "forms" or "creates" a locust swarm (govai, likely young locusts/grasshoppers). This connects to covenant curses: Deuteronomy 28:38, 42 threatens locust devastation if Israel violates covenant. The timing matters: in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings (bitkillot la'alot halaqesh vehineh-leqesh achar gizei hamelekh)—the "latter growth" was the second crop after the king took his portion. Locusts devouring this crop meant total loss—the people would starve.
Verse 2 continues: Amos intercedes, and God relents ("The LORD repented for this: It shall not be"). This vision teaches several truths:
- God's judgments are warnings, not inevitable fate—repentance can avert them
- prophetic intercession matters—Amos's prayer moved God
- God's "repentance" (relenting/changing course) doesn't contradict His immutability but demonstrates His responsiveness to human repentance and intercession (Exodus 32:14
Jonah 3:10).
Historical Context
Locust plagues were devastating in the ancient Near East, capable of destroying entire harvests in hours (Exodus 10:1-20; Joel 1:4). The "king's mowings" refers to the royal tax—kings claimed first portion of crops (1 Samuel 8:15). The second growth fed the people; if locusts destroyed it, famine resulted. Amos's vision shows God forming judgment, but his intercession delays it. This pattern continues through chapters 7-8: God shows judgment, Amos prays, God relents—until finally God declares, "I will not again pass by them any more" (7:8, 8:2). Israel's persistent impenitence exhausted divine patience.
Reflection
- How do God's warnings of judgment demonstrate His mercy in providing opportunity for repentance?
- What role does intercessory prayer play in averting or delaying divine judgment?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H136 - The LORD / Lord