Chapter 6

Starts with a "woe" to those comfortable in Judah and Israel, who think they are safe and protected.  Look to nearby nations, and see if you are any different.  Are you better than these?  If not, why would you feel so safe?

A second woe in vs. 4.  This one is about those who eat, drink, and are merry, and do not grieve for the state of Israel or Judah.  These are people who have wealth and comfort and are awash in leisure time.  They have servants to fill every need, they have the best of food and drink, and they have no concern at all about the state of their country, about the anger of their God, but look only to themselves.  This says they will be first into captivity.

2023 - Hmm...this is interesting.  We see in vs 4 that a woe goes out, and then the reasons for it are given.  Look at vs 5...

5 who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, [Amo 6:5 ESV].  This appears to be a direct indictment of instrumental music.  I have never heard of it.  I have never noticed it before.  There is some variation of translation in other  Bibles, but the majority state it this way.  How interesting...

8 The Lord GOD has sworn by himself, declares the LORD, the God of hosts: "I abhor the pride of Jacob and hate his strongholds, and I will deliver up the city and all that is in it." [Amo 6:8 ESV]

This seems fairly permanent.  Assyria takes Israel (Samaria) about 10 years later or so.  They had more than enough time to repent.  Look how quickly and totally Ninevah repented.  But Israel did not.

Then this verse:

9 And if ten men remain in one house, they shall die. [Amo 6:9 ESV]

The invaders will be so intent on killing those in Israel, so thorough in wiping out the inhabitants, that they will take the time to search out groups as small as 10 in hiding, and kill them.  This will be an intense  conquest, leaving no stone unturned in order to be complete.  Perhaps to prevent any later retaliation or rebellion.

And here is another that leaves little doubt:

14 "For behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel," declares the LORD, the God of hosts; "and they shall oppress you from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of the Arabah." [Amo 6:14 ESV]

"Do horses run on rocks?", "Do you plow the sea with oxen"?  "You rejoice in Lo-debar".  Lo-debar means "nothing".  They were full of pride and thought all the good that came to them was their own doing.  They are pleased with their success, and have forgotten God, and all his commands.