GREAT HOPE/AMOS 9:1-15

I’m sure you have experienced the refreshing joy of good news after hearing some bad news. Listen in with me and experience the hope some in Amos’ day received in the midst of some very, very bad news. First, let’s consider ...

I) THE BAD NEWS–VV.1-10

A) Amos’ final vision is of God/Adonai standing next to the idolatrous altar where unacceptable sacrifices were made (v.1a). Then we hear God give the command for destruction to come upon the sinful kingdom of Israel–the ten northern tribes. What God was going to do is spelled out in v.1b. Verses 2-4 highlight the fact that there will be nowhere to hide from God’s wrath upon their sin. God is relentless in His pursuit of sinners to exact justice for wrong doing/sin against Him.

B) Something of the nature of God is given in verses 5 & 6. The Lord God has complete control over all the elements of the universe to use them as He pleases. As He is the One who created all that is, and "The LORD is His name." God was making His point, again, that He is not someone to be taken lightly, or even for granted. Israel took their privileged position with God among the nations for granted. This brought them to treat God with contempt, or as nothing more than a good luck charm. God humbled this arrogant people by comparing them to other heathen nations around them (v.7)–Ethiopians (Cushites), Philistines, and Arameans (Syrians). So much for their boasting now! Such arrogance brings their destruction (v. 8a-b). But, there is a note of hope sounded–not total destruction (v.8c). Through use of an analogy this hope is established in verse 9–a sieve through which not all of Israel will fall to destruction, there will be a remnant of those faithful to God spread throughout the nations. This is what the exile accomplished. And, then, verse 10 returns to the theme of destruction for the ungodly who are deceived into thinking that their privileged position will spare them. But, then, unexpectedly, Amos sounds a note of ...

II) GOOD NEWS–VV.11-15

A) With all the talk of God’s judgment upon His sinful people throughout the book of Amos for disobeying God’s covenant, then God has Amos end his messages to Israel, faithful Israel, with a message of great hope/good news. Though sin has devastated Israel, and brought the Davidic kingdom shame, God will raise it up (v.11). The future holds great benefits for Israel, her enemies, and the Gentile nations (v.12). This will be a time of great abundance (vv.13-14), and a possession of the promises of the land (v.15). Here’s the point: God keeps His Word/His promises! The enjoyment of which are conditioned upon faithfulness to His Word as we have seen throughout our study.

III) IMPLICATIONS

A) First, we need to be aware of the bad news that faces every one of us this morning. God is going to bring destruction, eternal destruction, upon all who continue to live life without regard to His will, His will that is revealed in His Word–the Bible. God’s on a seek and destroy mission of sinners which will bring guaranteed results–no sin, no sinner will go unpunished for wrongs done against God, either by flagrant violations of His rule or just plain ole ignorance of His rule. Amos teaches us that God is relentless in His pursuit of sinners to exact justice for wrong doing/sin against Him.

B) Amos teaches us that we dare not presume upon God’s blessings or love as did most in Israel. We may come to treat God with contempt because we have reduced Him to a "Sugar Daddy" of a god. In other words, God is here for our pleasures, and He requires very little of us in return for them. Such arrogance brought an end to Israel, and so too will it bring an end to any of us who live for self. Is there any hope for us?

C) Yes, and it comes through the process described in Amos–a sifting, a sifting of the heart. God uses His Word, Spirit, and difficulties in our lives to sift us to help us see what we are, ultimately, trusting in. Are we trusting in our own efforts to save us from God’s sure judgment, something guaranteed to end in failure? Or are we trusting in what Jesus Christ has done, as the Davidic King, to save us from God’s judgment, the only thing that guarantees eternal salvation? Of interest, in light of this point, is James’ use of Amos 9:11-12 in Acts 15:13-18. In the context of discussing Gentiles being saved, Peter stated that God used him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, and that they had responded by faith. Peter then stated that Gentiles were saved not through external works, like circumcision, but by faith through the grace of the Lord Jesus (Acts 15:7-11). James gives the final word on the matter, equating what was happening then with what Amos prophesied. Jesus who restored the fallen booth of David, in fulfillment of prophecy, now is shown to save both Jews and Gentiles–God’s plan of the ages now unfolds. So, as Gentiles, we too can be saved by faith through the grace of the Lord Jesus. The good news is that what our sins deserve, Jesus Christ has borne them all for those who come to Him by faith, and this faith is a gift from God. Exercise saving faith today and be saved from certain judgment!