Amós 9

Amós 9

Morgan - “It is now declared that the reason of the divine judgment is not revenge, but the only way in which it is possible to usher in the restored order on which the heart of God is set.” Note that some commentators assert that Amos 9:9-10 refers to the Great Tribulation (Mt 24:21+), also know as the Time of Jacob's Distress (Jer 30:7+), or the time of great distress (Daniel 12:1+). THOUGHT - CAVEAT - THE FOLLOWING THOUGHTS ARE VERY SUPPOSITIONAL! There are three phrases in Amos 9:9-10 that do potentially allow such an interpretation that Amos 9:9-10 is a picture of the coming time of Israel's distress at the end of this age: (1) "I will shake the house of Israel among all nations" - Ostensibly this could be interpreted as referring to the final time of the end when Israel will be "shaken" - read Zech 12:1-4+. (2) "All the sinners of My people will die by the sword" - This could refer to the horrible Time of Jacob's Distress when 2/3's of Israel will be killed as prophesied in Zech 13:8+. (3) "But not a kernel will fall to the ground" - Again ostensibly this would parallel Zechariah's description of a believing remnant of Israel in Zech 13:9+ which describes 1/3 of Israel is left after the Lord's judgment of Israel. In sum, Amos 9:9-10 does have some descriptions that might allow one to equate it with the Great Tribulation, etc, but I am personally not certain that was the original intent. After this time of Israel's future testing will the promises of Amos 9:11-15 will be fulfilled. So this could be the time to which James refers when he says "after these things." ESV Study Bible comment on Amos 9:11-15 - God has committed himself to bless his people, and eventually the world, through the family of David (2 Sam. 7:15-16; Ps. 72:17). In that context, Israel’s fortunes (Amos 9:14) would be restored. The abundance described in Amos 9:13-15 stands in stark contrast to the ruin and destruction that fell on Israel after God repeatedly warned them, appealing to them to come to repentance (Amos 4:6-11). Again, the point is that God does not intend for judgment on Israel to be final, but to be a tool through which blessing may ultimately come...Amos 9:11 - In that day reminds the reader of the Day of the Lord that the Israelites confidently expected. If it was to be a day of destruction instead of blessing (Amos 5:18-20), that did not mean it was to be God’s final word on the subject. (ESV Study Bible, The: English Standard Version) I will raise up the fallen booth (tabernacle) of David - Notice the "I will" (raise up...wall up...raise up...rebuild in Amos 9:11; restore in Amos 9:14; plant in Amos 9:15) statements in this passage, reflecting God's sovereign pleasure and power. This is the promise keeping God speaking to Israel, who He has just judged and condemned. In the midst of this judgment, because of His covenant love, God remembers mercy (cf "His unchanging love" - His hesed/chesed/heced in Micah 7:18+). And so He gives a prophecy promising restoration of future glory to the nation of Israel, a prophecy that will be consummated when the Messiah returns to set up His glorious Kingdom and reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. Then the fallen booth of David will be raised up. Gary Smith on the fallen booth - This structure which is fallen/falling is a prophetic metaphor of the present and future state of the Davidic kingdom. Instead of a powerful and secure kingdom, as in the time of David’s united monarchy, it was and will be more like a dilapidated little hut. But God will rebuild and restore it to its former glory. Scofield on fallen booth - 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). David Levy comments - "The word tabernacle refers to the royal house of David, which the Lord established forever in the Davidic Covenant (2 Sa 7:11-16). But sin brought the Davidic dynasty to decay and decline, to become only a shadow of its once-great power. With the destruction of Judah in 586 B.C. (Jer 22:24–30), the rule of the house of David ceased.' When the Messiah returns to set up His Kingdom, the Davidic Kingdom will be reestablished (Ezek 37:24–25). “In that day [the Lord will] raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches [repair the city wall] of it; and ... raise up his ruins [rebuild Israel], and ... build it as in the days of old [days of Solomon]” (Amos 9:11). At that time the boundaries of Israel will be expanded to include all the land promised to Abraham (Gen. 15:18). Israel will possess the remnant of Edom and all the surrounding nations who trust in the Lord (Amos 9:12)., These nations will enjoy the Messiah’s blessing and protection along with Israel. Israel has not known peace with her Gentile neighbors over the centuries, but in that day she will have peace because it will be accomplished by the Lord (Amos 9:12).(Friends of Israel Magazine article) Sunukijan - God will reestablish David's "tent" over both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. A "tent" (lit., "booth") or awning was made by setting up a simple frame and spreading branches over it. Its primary purpose was to shelter those under it, whether troops in the field (2 Sam. 11:11; 1 Kings 20:12-16), a watchman at post (Jonah 4:5), or pilgrims at the Feast of Booths (also called the Feast of Tabernacles, Lev. 23:33-42). David's dynasty, which had been a protective canopy over all the people of Israel, had "fallen" with the great schism of the 10 Northern tribes from the 2 Southern tribes (1 Kings 12). This booth had been broken in two. But God promised to unite the two kingdoms once again under Davidic rule (cf. Jer. 30:3-10; Ezek. 37:15-28; Hosea 3:4-5). He will restore the sheltering tent, repair its broken places, building it as it used to be. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Gary Smith writes that "The word tabernacle refers to the royal house of David, which the Lord established forever in the Davidic Covenant (2 Sa 7:11–16). But sin brought the Davidic dynasty to decay and decline, to become only a shadow of its once-great power. With the destruction of Judah in 586 B.C. (Jer. 22:24–30), the rule of the house of David ceased. When the Messiah returns to set up His Kingdom, the Davidic Kingdom will be reestablished (Ezek. 37:24–25). “In that day [the Lord will] raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches [repair the city wall] of it; and ... raise up his ruins [rebuild Israel], and ... build it as in the days of old [days of Solomon]” (Amos 9:11). (Mentor Commentary - Amos) Henry