Amos 9:1
I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said:
What it says
The Lord stands by the altar and commands it to be struck so that collapse falls upon the people.
What it is doing
This verse opens the chapter with direct, temple-centered judgment.
In context
1I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said: 2Though they dig down to Sheol, 3Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, 4Though they are driven by their enemies into captivity, 5The Lord GOD of Hosts, 6He builds His upper rooms in the heavens 7“Are you not like the Cushites to Me, 8Surely the eyes of the Lord GOD 9“For surely I will give the command, 10All the sinners among My people