Amos: Seek The Lord and LiveSample

What a change of mood in these last five verses! This is clearly not the same Day of Judgment that Amos has spoken about for most of the book. It is a day of hope. It may be helpful to list some of the different ways those of us living this side of the cross understand the Day of the Lord when reading an Old Testament prophet:

Near future

Day of judgment inflicted on Judah by Assyria (722 BC).

Hopeful future

Judah’s return from exile (539 BC).

Far future

Cross as the Day of Darkness (AD 33), after which nations bear God’s name in the church so that people from every tribe and nation become Christians.

Far hopeful future

We will be planted in the New Creation, never to be uprooted.

These five verses actually contain two promises. In verses 11–12, the Lord promises to restore His people. There’s a sense in which this has been the whole purpose of the book of Amos. The Lord warned Israel of destruction so that through this there might emerge a people genuinely trusting in Him. When the book of Amos was read by the neighbouring nation of Judah in the years following 722 bc, the purpose would have been the same: to produce a people trusting in the Lord. That purpose remains for us.

These two verses are quoted in the New Testament, at the council of Jerusalem in Acts 15:16–17, when the disciples discuss the terms on which Gentiles could enter the church. James cites them to say that the tent or shelter of King David was being repaired by the greater David, Jesus Christ. Here is a prediction that Gentiles would join the church equally with Jews through faith in Jesus. People of all nations would bear the name of Jesus.

Reflection

Have you had the great privilege of meeting with Christians from very different cultures and nations? It’s a wonderful blessing that, although we may appear very different, we are united in the one Saviour. What a joy that is.