Read Amos 9:11–15
Questions from the Scripture text: What will the Lord do, to what, on the day in question (Amos 9:11)? What will the tabernacle of David possess (Amos 9:12a)? Whom else, will they possess, and by what will they be called (verse 12b)? Who says this (verse 12c)? What is His relation to this occurrence? What does He say are coming (Amos 9:13a)? Who will overtake whom (verse 13b)? And who, whom else (verse 13c)? What will the mountains and the hills do at this time (verse 13d–e)? What will YHWH do to whom (Amos 9:14a)? What does He call them? What will they build (verse 14b)? And do what with them? What will they plant (verse 14c)? And do what with them? What will they make (verse 14d)? And do what with them? And what will YHWH do to them (Amos 9:15a)? What won’t happen (verse 15b–c)? Says Whom (verse 15d)?
What is as sure as the wrath that was about to come upon Israel and Judah? Amos 9:11–15 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the perfect and eternal blessedness of Christ’s kingdom is as sure as YHWH Himself is sure.
In the historical moment into which Amos prophesied, there was not just sin but total breach of the covenant that had to be addressed between Israel (and Judah) and the Lord. But the Lord had sworn by Himself when making the gospel promises, including Israel’s part in bringing them about (cf. Hebrews 6:13–18; Genesis 22:15–18). Not even the sin of Israel could stop this from being fulfilled. In fact, it was the sin and failure of Israel to which the Lord responded not only by sending Christ as our propitiation and righteousness, but sending Him as Prophet, Priest, and King of a new covenant, the final and glorious age in the church and the kingdom in this world. So, this little book that has been full of judgment closes with the glories of the coming kingdom of Christ—“that day” not meaning something that must wait for the resurrection, but something that has already begun at Pentecost.
The Power of Christ’s Kingdom. Though the kingly line of David has become like a tent (Amos 9:11), the Lord would raise it up in greater power than it had ever seen. This is now literally true, as the Son of David, according to the flesh, sits upon the throne in glory. He rules over all the earth, and all His enemies are being made a footstool for His feet.
The People of Christ’s Kingdom. It is not surprising that the kingdom would rule over Edomites (Amos 9:12), whose wickedness and punishment are representative of all the nations (cf. Amos 1:11–12). What is surprising is that this possessing of the nations doesn’t come by the dispossessing of the nations, but by bringing them under the banner of the Lord. No longer shall Israel alone be a nation “called by My Name.” It shall come to pass that all the nations will be called by the Name of YHWH. Only He could do such a thing, and He Who would do it is the One Who guaranteed it by His Word.
The Prosperity of Christ’s Kingdom. Israel had forfeited covenantal blessings like those in Deuteronomy 28:1–14, but Amos 9:13 describes something much greater than just a restoration of them. So much harvesting that it can’t be completed before it’s time for tilling again. So much vintage that the grapes can’t finish being trampled into wine before the spring sowing. And vineyards not only in the valleys and other, expected locations, but covering mountains and hills. Indeed, although it is a blessing when the Lord restrains the curse and gives His people plenty even in this age, the very best that we see is still a creation that is groaning in bondage (cf. Romans 8:18–22). The poetry here hints at something beyond the limits of the present creation—richness of material blessing that is appropriate to the Only-Begotten Son, and all of the adopted children of God (cf. Romans 8:23–30). For now, we receive our daily bread with gladness and simplicity of heart (cf. Acts 2:46), knowing that it is a small earnest of that which is yet to come, and that it comes to us in the same love and generosity that has given us God Himself in Christ and His Spirit.
The Peace of Christ’s Kingdom. No longer will others be sent by providence to execute the judgment prophesied in Amos 5:11. The blessed meek in Christ Jesus will inherit the earth (cf. Matthew 5:5). The days are coming when they will enjoy, unmolested, the fruit of all their labor (Amos 9:14, cf. Psalm 128:2).
The Permanence of Christ’s Kingdom. Finally, they themselves will be the enduring work of YHWH Himself. Just as what they plant will be wonderfully fruitful, it will be they themselves whom YHWH plants (Amos 9:15). This is as sure as He is. And He is YHWH, the God Who is. And He is the One Who has spoken this (verse 15d, cf. Amos 9:12c). And He is theirs (“your God,” Amos 9:15d). And, dear reader, if you are Christ’s, then He is yours!
What are some of the promises concerning Christ and His kingdom that you wish you more strongly believed and intensely felt? Since they are as sure as the Lord’s Word, what are you doing with His Word, in dependence upon His Spirit, to drive that hope home in your heart? What use do you make of the Word preached? What use do you make of meditation upon the Word? What use do you make of the Word sung?
Sample prayer: Lord, we thank You for the great and precious promises about the power, people, prosperity, peace, and permanence of Christ’s kingdom. Forgive us for when our hope is small. Truly, that exposes how little credit we give to Your Word, or how little we know it, or how little we esteem Christ and His present kingship. We shrink back from the ugliness of what must be the case. Come near, by Your Spirit, applying Your Word to our hearts, and gladden us in the hope of Your glory. Pour out Your love in our hearts, and make us to rejoice even now, and even in every tribulation. Make us to enjoy every little blessing as just the beginnings of what will be perfected in a New Heavens and a New Earth. And give us to count You Yourself, in Your Son, by Your Spirit, as our great and incomparable blessing, we ask in Jesus’s Name, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP72C “May Waving Grain on Hilltops Thrive” or TPH257 “Children of the Heavenly Father”