JUDGMENT & RESTORATION - AMOS 9

 Amos 9

Vision of Destruction

9:1-4

This verse begins another vision given to Amos. Here he sees the Lord standing beside or on an altar. It would be one of the pagan altars, possibly at Bethel or Dan where the golden calves were. God will shatter the columns until the temple falls on the people worshipping there. The ones who escape will be killed with the sword. This is part of the invasion that will lead to the destruction of Israel and exile for the survivors.

There is no escape from God’s judgment, even if they dig down to Sheol or up to heaven. (2) He will find them no matter where they hide. He will strike them and send them into captivity. Some will die by the sword even while captive. 

God Declares Himself

9:5-6

The Lord identifies himself with his power. If he touches the earth it melts and people mourn. If he calls for the sea, the pour out over the face of the earth. All of creation is subject to his command. His name is Yahweh (the LORD). (6)

Israel Like Other Nations

9:7-10

Israel has lost it special place with God. It has become like Egypt, Philistia, and Syria. It is just another sinful kingdom. God dealt with them and now with Israel.He will destroy it. But, it seems he will leave a remnant. He said he will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob. But he will hake it and kill the sinful people in the nation. (10) 

Restoration Of Israel

9:11-16

In addition to the terrible judgment of invasion, death, and exile, God will bring a day of restoration. He will repair the booth of David. A booth is a fragile structure of branches, contrasted with the great structure of temples that will be destroyed.

However, this restoration will come through the line of David. That is a problem for this northern kingdom of Israel because its people have rejected the house of David and separated itself from Judah, David’s tribe and descendants. 

This restored entity will include all the nations called by God’s name. In those days, the land will be restored, ready to be plowed and planted. God will restore and all his people to rebuild. He will plant them and they will not be uprooted.

James, the brother of Christ and head of the Jerusalem church, at the conclusion of the Jerusalem council in Acts 15, says that the coming of the Gentiles to faith in Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promise to restore and build Israel, his people, in Amos 9. 

This fits perfectly with Paul’s later writing that the true Israel is the church and true Jews are believers in Christ. He wrote: “Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel before hand to Abraham, saying ‘In you shall all the nations be blessed’. So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. (Galatians 3:7-9)