John Calvin Commentary Amos 6:6-7

"that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief oils; but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. Therefore shall they now go captive with the first that go captive; and the revelry of them that stretched themselves shall pass away." — Amos 6:6-7 (ASV)

Amos now reproaches the chiefs of both kingdoms for drinking wine in bowls, that is, in vessels either elegantly formed or precious. Some think “silver” is to be understood as “in vessels of silver,” but there is no need to regard anything as understood in the Prophet’s words. The meaning is that those men were sufficiently convicted of brutish stupidity, because they did not forsake their indulgences when God manifested His terrible vengeance. Since God then did what tended to humble them, their madness and blindness were conspicuous enough. For they indulged themselves, drinking wine according to their usual custom, when they ought to have turned, as we have said, to fasting, lamentation, and mourning, to sackcloth and ashes.

They drank wine in bowls, and further, they anointed themselves with the chief ointments. Christ, we know, was anointed at least twice (Luke 7:38; Matthew 26:7), and this practice was not blamed in David, nor in King Hezekiah, nor in others. Since, then, anointing was not in itself sinful, we see that the Prophet must have something particular in view. He meant to show that when God manifested tokens of His wrath, those conscious of having done evil had no other recourse than to humbly abstain, like guilty persons, from all indulgences. This was so that by fasting and mourning, they might stir up God's mercy. Since the Israelites had not done this, the Prophet expostulated with them. There is no need to seek any other interpretation of this passage.

For he immediately adds that they grieved not for the bruising of Joseph. These words are to be read in connection with the former and should be applied to the whole discourse. The Prophet then does not specifically blame the Jews and Israelites because they drank wine in bowls, because they anointed themselves with the best and most precious ointment, because they rested on ivory beds, because they stretched themselves out on their couches, or because they ate the best meat; but because they securely indulged in such delights and grieved not for the distress of their brethren, for God had miserably afflicted the whole kingdom before their eyes.

How much had four tribes already suffered? And how much the whole land and those who lived in the country? Should God have spared these chiefs any longer? It is indeed certain that those who were still free from these calamities were especially culpable. Since they did not consider the wrath of God, which was evident enough before their eyes, it was a proof of completely insane stupidity and showed that those who still indulged themselves were utterly out of their minds.

So now we understand the full meaning of the Prophet; and therefore he says, They shall emigrate at the head of the emigrants, that is, “When there shall be an emigration, they shall be the first in order of time. I have until now indulgently spared you; but as I see that you have abused My forbearance, you shall certainly be the forerunners of others; for you shall go first into captivity. And My severity shall begin with you, because I see that I have until now lost all My labor in attempting, kindly and paternally, to call you to repentance. You shall now then migrate at the head of the emigrants.”

And come shall the mourning of those who extend themselves, סרוחים, saruchim; that is, “You indeed lie down (as he had said before), you extend yourselves on your couches; but mourning shall come to you. You think that you can escape punishment when you rest quietly on your beds; but though your chambers are closed, though you move not a finger, yet mourning shall come to you.” We now see the connection between the words mourning and resting in idleness and indulgence. The word סרח, sarech, indeed properly means to recline; and hence some render the passage, “Mourning shall rest on you,” but the more accepted meaning is, Mourning shall come on you while reclining. Though then they stretched themselves out on their beds, so that they might pleasantly and softly recline and rest themselves, yet mourning would come to them, that is, would enter into their chambers.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that since You show Yourself at this day to be justly offended with us, and our own consciences reprove us, since dreadful tokens appear by which we may learn how much and in how many ways we have provoked Your wrath—O grant that we may be truly touched by the consciousness of our evils, and, being afflicted in our hearts, may be so humbled that, without any outward affliction, we may wholly submit ourselves to be reproved by You, and at the same time flee to that mercy which is laid up for us, and which You daily offer to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.