Read: Amos 9
In a final
vision Amos sees the Lord standing by the altar, He is about to initiate the
people’s destruction from the very place that they expect to hear a word of
peace or blessing. The altar will be
destroyed and none shall escape (vs. 1-4).
This is accomplished by God who is described as Creator and Sustainer of
the universe (v. 5-6). Israel had become
like the pagan nations (vs. 7) and will be utterly destroyed (v. 8-10) but yet
they will not be completely destroyed.
What little good remains will be sifted like grain nevertheless the
sinners will not escape but will die (vs. 9-10). With all the doom and gloom in the book of
Amos it has a hopeful ending with a glimpse of a brighter future for Israel. The restoration of the tabernacle of David is
foretold in which even the remnant of Edom and the Gentiles, who are called by
His name, are included (vs. 11-12). James
applied this prophecy to the church and the inclusion of Gentiles in Acts
15:13-17. What a hope for the people! The final vision of the book is one of a
glorious time when God will restore His land, when the harvest will be
bountiful and Israel will be firmly planted in the hand of God with nothing
able to uproot it again. We are still
longing for the complete fulfillment of this prophecy!
Prayer and Journaling
1. In the book of Amos we learn that God rules over
nations and holds them accountable. This
is still true today. Spend some time in
thanksgiving prayer for God’s sovereignty.
What struggles are you having in your life that you can trust to the
sovereignty of God? Thank Him for this
too!
2. Another lesson from the book of Amos is that our
walk with God has to be expressed in love and concern for the poor and
oppressed. Over the past five
devotionals what has God been saying to you about this? How can you grow in loving God by taking care
of the weak and the needy?
3. The last chapter of Amos is filled with hope and
promise for Israel. God is a God of hope. How does this portrait of God give you confidence
when things seem hopeless?
