AMOS CHAPTER 9 (PART 1): LONG VIEW OF DESTINY
What is described?
What literally happened?
What is revealed about God’s character?
Amos 9 is found to have 2 parts. The first part (verses 1-10) shares a vivid depiction of the judgment that will come upon Israel. The second part (verses 11-15) gives hope for restoration.
In verses 1-10, we see that God is done with sinful Israel and done with the sinful nations. God is not only dealing with Israel (the north), but Judah (the south) is not far behind. There is a mention of Edom again which is a nation that was utterly destroyed… showing that God’s eyes also see the sinfulness of all people. Keep in mind the whole book of Obadiah is dedicated to communicating about the destruction of Edom. Edom’s destruction is a symbol that God will destroy sinful humanity (Edom = nations).
However, God will save the nations ultimately. We know this is the point of the passage because James stands in Acts 15 and quotes Amos and connects the dots between judgment and restoration and the Messiah: “After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’ Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
God conquers nations/peoples in two ways. He utterly destroys them by not forcing Himself on them giving them over to their own ways. He does judge after His love is rejected or they bend their knee to God in repentance. Namely, to Jesus. We can know this because of the proclamation in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the conqueror of nations as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Those outside His rule perish because they have no life in Him.
SUMMARY & APPLICATION: What is revealed about God’s character?
Yes, God judges, but He also has a long view of the destiny of nations which ultimately rests in the hand of Jesus. In God’s boundless grace, He has restored the House of David and brought forth a Savior. That Savior, Jesus of Nazareth the Christ, now sits at the right hand of God the Father forever. Jesus is not just for the Jews (He is for them), but He also calls all nations to Him who will place faith in Him. This grace comes after the judgment.
Mercy (hope they don’t deserve) is proclaimed.
TMB & BMD
Dwelling In Scripture 