Amos 7:5 Meaning and Explanation
“Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Again Amos intercedes, begging the LORD to cease, for Jacob is too small to endure.
What Does Amos 7:5 Mean?
Once more Amos steps into the breach: "O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee." This time he does not ask for forgiveness but for the staying of the blow -- let it stop before it consumes everything. The intensity of the fire calls forth an equally urgent plea. The prophet will not let the vision pass without raising his voice for his people.
His ground is unchanged: "by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small." He has no new merit to offer, only the same appeal to the smallness and frailty of Israel. There is something deeply pastoral in this repetition. Amos sees his nation's guilt clearly, yet his first instinct is not to condemn but to shield. He keeps pointing God back to the helplessness of those who cannot save themselves, trusting that mercy answers weakness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amos 7:5
What does Amos 7:5 mean?
Again Amos intercedes, begging the LORD to cease, for Jacob is too small to endure.