Another matter, “it will be, because [ekev]” – this is what the verse said: “Gilad is mine, Manasseh is mine” (Psalms 60:9). What is Gilad? Reish Lakish said…they were from the sons of Judah.2The midrash alludes to Reish Lakish’s explanation of the verse without citing it in full. The full version is found in Bemidbar Rabba 14:1.
Another matter, “Moav is my washbasin” (Psalms 60:10) – Rabbi Shimon ben Ḥalafta said: The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘I will place a cauldron of punishment on the fire for Moav.’ What is, “I will cast my shoe on Edom”? (Psalms 60:10). The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘When everything is prepared for repentance, I will stomp Edom’s winepress with the heel [baakev] of my foot.’ When will “it be, ekev”?
It will be when “you heed.” The Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: ‘My children, do not believe that I am treating you like a slave whose master seeks to sell him [because he is] deficient, for whatever [price] he can fetch. Rather, I will bring suffering upon you until you prepare your heart [to return] to Me.’ Rav Aḥa said: The Holy One blessed be He took an oath that He would never forsake Israel.
From where is this derived? As it is stated: “Therefore [lakhen], so I will do to you, Israel” (Amos 4:12), and lakhen is nothing other than an oath, like the matter that is stated: “Therefore [velakhen], I have taken an oath to the sons of Eli” (I Samuel 3:14). Until when will I afflict you? Until the end [haakev]. “Because [ekev] I will do this to you” (Amos 4:12) – until you observe My mitzvot completely [ad haakev].