Amos 9
BBCAmos 9:1
F. The Striking of the Lintel (9:1-10)9:1-4 The LORD is seen beginning His judgment at the altar, perhaps the false altar at Bethel. The people find no way of ultimate escape; the sword pursues them wherever they try to flee. Even hypothetical places of “refuge” would elude them: hell, heaven, on top of Mt. Carmel, the bottom of the sea, captivity before their enemies. The seriousness of God’s anger against them is seen in the words: “I will set My eyes on them for harm and not for good.” In no uncertain terms the people of Israel are told that they are in big trouble! 9:5-10 Who can withstand the Lord GOD of hosts with His almighty power? The layers of earth’s atmosphere and the strata of rock in the earth itself were built and founded by the same LORD. Israel is compared here to heathen Ethiopia and called “the sinful kingdom” by God Himselfstrong language indeed! They had forfeited any special place of privilege. He would punish the sinners but save a remnant as grain is sifted in a sieve; yet not the smallest grain would fall to the ground. Although most would be destroyed, those found worthy by the Almighty would be spared.
Amos 9:11
IV. THE FUTURE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL (9:11-15)9:11, 12 The restoration of Israel is described in verses 11-15. God’s promises to David will be fulfilled. While some people employ verse 11 to teach that Israel and the church are one and the same, and that the church now is the “repaired” tabernacle (lit. “booth,” figure of a deposed dynasty, NKJV marg.), it is surely to be taken in context to refer to Israel and all the Gentiles in the Millennial Kingdom. Scofield writes: The Davidic monarchy, pictured by a tabernacle . . . , was in a degraded condition. Cp. Isa_11:1. On the basis of this verse the Talmudic rabbis called Messiah Bar Naphli (“the son of the fallen”). But He will arise (Mal_4:2). 9:13-15 Crops such as grapes, wine, wheat, olives, and fruit will grow up with amazing speed, the cities will be rebuilt and re-inhabited, and God will plant the people, who will never be driven out of the land again.