Amos 9 reminds me that sometimes in life we are shaken down to our foundation. Very often, in those times, we are presented with a choice. The final chapter of Amos asks us, how will you react on that day? It is important to understand where this chapter begins, “I saw the Lord standing by the altar“. It would be more comfortable to believe it was the altar of idolatry, but he is clearly referring to the Temple in Jerusalem, the place where the sacrifice was offered in atonement for sin. The glory of God had departed from the building because the people no longer honored God there. “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Bring them down on the heads of all the people… none will escape“. The symbolism is that without the sacrifice, all must face judgment. The Temple without atonement was useless. Some bury themselves in work, or climb to the top of their profession, or study the flaws of humanity. Likewise, these faithless people did everything they could to avoid that day “Though they dig down to the depths below…Though they climb up to the heavens above… Though they hide from my eyes at the bottom of the sea… I will keep my eye on them for harm and not for good“. Have you been hiding from God?
Next Amos reminds us that God is the Creator and not part of His creation, “The Lord, the Lord Almighty He touches the earth and it melts, and all who live in it mourn“. Every aspect of nature is proof of the Designer. Magnify a single hair or flower petal and marvel at the beauty and order. And yet, even this earth is temporary, “He calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land the Lord is His name“. Do not miss the hope buried amidst the judgment, “Yet I will not totally destroy the descendants of Jacob… as grain is shaken in a sieve, and not a pebble will reach the ground“. Sometimes shaking is necessary to remove the useless junk.
The book of Amos ends with a promise of abundant restoration, “In that day… I will restore David’s fallen shelter I will repair… and restore… and will rebuild it as it used to be…and all the nations that bear My name“. The land will be so fertile there will be continuous planting and harvest, “and I will bring My people Israel back from exile… They will rebuild… They will plant vineyards and drink their wine… and eat their fruit… I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them“. Friend, are you in need of hope? 1 Corinthians chapter 15 offers a word of hope, and that word is resurrection. How important is that? The apostle Paul says, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised… And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins“. Salvation is not built on the fact that Jesus was good, but that Jesus is God. Paul adds, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead“. In Romans 8:34 the apostle Paul adds, “Christ Jesus who died more than that, who was raised to life is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us“. Remember what Jesus said doubting Thomas, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed“. Have you been shaken to your foundation? Stand firm in the promise of restoration through the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ.