Definition: I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Amos 9:1. It’s a pretty intense passage about judgment and destruction. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a vision by the prophet Amos – he saw God standing on an altar and declaring that he would destroy the pillars (the lintel) of the doors of cities. He then instructed to cut them all in half, and ultimately, to slay the last remaining pillar with a sword. It’s a very dramatic warning about impending disaster. Let's unpack it word by word: “Amos 9:1 I saw the Lord standing upon the altar…” This is the starting point – Amos is witnessing something incredibly significant, a divine moment. “…and he said, Smite the lintel of the door…” The “lintel” was a massive, heavy beam that supported the roof of a building. God is telling Amos to destroy this structure. “that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them;” This means to completely collapse or break the supports of the lintel into pieces. “and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.” This is the shocking part! God declares that He will kill the last remaining pillar – meaning the last of the support structures. Importantly, it says "he who fleeth of them" won’t escape. It means those who are destroyed by this judgment will not find salvation or a way to live after it happens. What's the Big Meaning? This verse is often interpreted as a judgment prophecy about the destruction of Israel (and possibly all nations). It speaks of a time when God is sending His judgement upon a nation, and this specific action – destroying the support structures – will be a direct result. Important Context: Amos was a prophet who warned against injustice and the wickedness of his people. This verse is often seen as a foretelling of a devastating period of judgment for Israel. It's a stark warning about God’s power and His plan to cleanse the land. In short, it’s a dramatic declaration that God is coming to punish those who are wicked and causing trouble. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific biblical story or event?