Amos 5:6

"but don’t seek Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and don’t pass to Beersheba; for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nothing."

Key Reflection

In Amos 5:6, the prophet exhorts his listeners not to seek out religious sites like Bethel and Gilgal, nor venture as far as Beersheba, because these places will face dire consequences. For the original audience, Bethel was a significant religious center, but it would be captured and destroyed, while Gilgal, though less prominent, would also fall into captivity, symbolizing the broader judgment coming upon Israel for their spiritual complacency and idolatry.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Seek ye the Lord and ye shall live -Literally, “seek the Lord and live;” being united to Him, the Fountain of life. He reimpresses on them the one simple need of the creature, “seek God,” the one true God as He revealed Himself, not as worldly people, or the politicians of Jeroboam’s court, or the calf-priests, fabled of Him. “Seek Him.” For in Him is all; without Him, nothing. Lest He break out like fire in Bethel -Formerly the Spirit of God came vehemently down upon SansomJudges 14:6,Judges 14:19;Judges 15:14and Saul1 Samuel 10:6;1 Samuel 11:6and David1 Samuel 16:13, to fit them as instruments for God; as did the Evil spirit, when God departed from Saul1 Samuel 18:10.

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