Friday, April 17, 2015

What did God say about the future of Israel?

Read Amos 9.

Though repeatedly warned of the coming judgment, many people said, "Disaster shall not overtake or meet us" (v.10).  In simple terms, they did not believe what God said.  But their feelings did not change the facts.

The destruction of the nation was so certain that in this fifth vision the LORD personally appeared to Amos.  Not only would the structure where the northern kingdom worshiped be destroyed, but the enemy would pursue the people to kill them (vv.1-2).  The people will run for their lives but God detailed for them that they will not be able find a place of safety anywhere (vv.2-4).

Nineveh had long forgotten the days of Jonah and their historic national repentance.  Assyria became even more evil and brutal in their treatment of its enemies.  However, God makes sure in this message that it is He who is in control.  He brought the Jews from Egypt and established them on this land.  These are His people and the judgment against them is from Him (vv.5-8).

What about the unconditional promises the LORD made to Abraham and his descendants?

At the end of verse 8, God said, "...except I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob."  Not everyone in the nation was unrepentant.  "All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword" (v.10a).  God does not forget.  He will deal with the sin and keep His promises.  There remained and remains a future for the Jews.

The last five verses provide the turning point to the prophecy of Amos.  There is coming a future day for Israel when the following will take place:
1. "I will raise up the booth of David that has fallen."
The reign of an earthly Davidic kingdom though gone, will be reestablished.  As a tent or awning, that rule will cover the entire land; no longer a divided kingdom.
2. I will "repair its breaches."
There was and is so much brokenness.  The regathering and reuniting of the the nation under a single king is their future hope.
3. I will "raise up its ruins."
The palaces, the Temple, buildings and homes were all leveled.  And, as predicted in Revelation, there is even greater destruction to come.  But God is personally assuming the responsibility here to see that one day the land will not lie in ruins.
4. I will "rebuild it as the days of old."
The last king to reign over a united kingdom of Israel was Solomon.  Those were the days of that glorious Temple, luxurious structures in Jerusalem, and the world looked to the nation as the people of God.  The LORD will see to it that this reputation is rebuilt.  And, not just for the Jews, but "...all the nations who are called by my name."
5. "I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel."
In agricultural terms, the nation's restored prosperity is amazingly described.

As an exclamation point to these prophecies, God declared, "...they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them."

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