Stairway in heaven not to heaven?

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Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...Image via Wikipedia
"It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name." (Amos 9:6)
 
The text above is a rather remarkable description of God written by a simple "herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit" (Amos 7:14), Amos, whom God called to prophesy against the sinning people of Israel. 

They needed, among other things, a better appreciation of the mighty works of the one true God who had called them as His special people.
 
Note, Amos says, "he that buildeth his stories in the heaven." The word for "stories" is usually translated "stairs," and the picture seems to be that of a great palace in heaven, with a giant stairway leading up to the very throne of God. Perhaps the "stories" are the heavens themselves (the Bible mentions at least three). 

Remember that, when the Lord Jesus went back up to be seated at the right hand of the Father, He "ascended up far above all heavens" (Ephesians 4:10). And, of course, it was God who built these stories!
 
He has also "founded his troop in the earth." The word for "troop" is rendered in various ways in various translations, but seems to mean a group of entities bound together to function as one. 

It is used to refer to a united band of soldiers, but also to a "bunch" of hyssop, for example. In the context here, it seems to refer to all God's marvelous creations on earth (lands, plants, animals, etc.) which unitedly testify to the wisdom and power of God.
 
Then note the remarkable pre-scientific insight about the amazing hydrologic cycle whereby God has arranged for "the waters of the sea" to be elevated to the skies, translated by the winds inland, where He then "poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name."
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