Amos 8, Thoughts on Israel from Amos 7-9

The emphasis in the closing chapters is on the certainty of what God says He will do, both in judgment and in hope.  There is a conversation between the prophet Amos and the LORD in 7:1-9, the conclusion of which is, severe judgment on Israel is going to happen!  The “plumb line” shows that it is deserving, so don’t fall back on the “what a cruel God” foolishness that so many profess.  Israel has stubbornly disobeyed the LORD and gone against the covenant they made. 

In 7:10-17 the prophet makes clear that what he has said is not his word but the word of the LORD.  There will be dead bodies everywhere (8:1-3), a scene that reminds us of what happened Oct. 7 in Israel.  The sins mentioned back in Amos 2 are repeated in 8:4-6.  But also notice 8:7-8 where God calls out Israel for her great pride.  I have mentioned this before, that in Israel there is a strong emphasis on what we must do and what we have done.  Israel is proud of her military, her medical advancements, and many other scientific accomplishments.  The impression one gets is that Israel is going to make her way in this world on her own, not in submission to her God.

These sins will bring Israel to great mourning (8:9-10).  Her lack of attention to God’s word will lead to a time when there is a “drought” of God’s word (8:11-12).  The result of this misplaced faith is that Israel will lack the strength and resources she needs in the day of trouble.

Thus, Amos concludes (9:1-10) that judgment will come and there will be no place to hide.  It will cover Israel, from the entrance of Hamath in the far north to the Arabah in the south. 

However, in 9:8a the LORD declares through Amos, Yet I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob.  Those words tell us there will be tremendous destruction, but not complete destruction.  What we hear in 9:11-15 has not yet happened.  This is the point when Amos’ eyes are lifted beyond the immediate context and set on the hope of Israel, her Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Son of David (Amos 9:11; Luke 1:32; Rom. 1:3; Rev. 5:5).  Through Christ Israel will possess the nations (Psalm 2:7-9; Dan. 7:13-14,26-27).  Israel will be back in the land, being prospered by the LORD. 

Israel’s day of hope is as sure as her day of judgment.