The Final Vision: Amos 9:11-15
God is a God of diversity unified under the umbrella of people trying to follow His ways. When He created, He created a rich and diverse world. He appreciates variety.
Amos’ final vision is one of restoration. The prophetic books often contain messages of hope at or near the end, although it is not a requirement to do so. Because Amos has focused on dark imagery and themes of judgment, it is nice to hear this message of hope from God. God’s point is judgment is not the end.
Judgment leads somewhere. If judgment were the end, God would be an angry God looking to demonstrate our true evil nature. That isn’t the case, though. God wants relationship with us knowing we are flawed. Like a loving parent, God uses punishment and consequence to evoke change. That change leads to patience, endurance, hope, and relationship.
What is the ultimate vision God has? What comes after the judgment? God restores His people. The Assyrians may come. The Babylonians may come after them. Both groups violently plunder the Hebrew people of their wealth, but they will not be the last voice the Hebrew people hear. God will restore His people to joy and fulfillment. They will enjoy the fruit of the land again.
Be careful with God’s words. There are several clues so small they are easily overlooked if we make this passage about what we want to hear. First, God says He will restore the booth of David. The Hebrew word for booth is a word meaning a temporary or seasonal shelter. God does not indicate a desire to reestablish the monolithic dynastic kingdom. God wants to reestablish a kingdom that can go where it is needed.
Remember the Hebrew history. Abraham stayed a nomad; Lot went to the city. Abraham stayed true; Lot needed rescue. Consider the creation of the kingdom. God created the judges to protect the people; the people wanted a king instead. Once they had a king, the elite developed and all the problems Amos prophesied against came. When humans build edifices instead of relationships, the world wins our hearts. God is interested in relationship, not opulence.
Consider the kingdom established by Jesus. Jesus never built a church. He never collected opulence. He went where people needed Him and taught about God through relationship. Jesus is more like a booth than a king, yet His kingdom endures.
Another clue comes in the following verse. God uses the word nations when He speaks of those called by His name. God isn’t interested in labels. God couldn’t care less about nationality or denomination. Anyone in relationship with God is His regardless of appearance, gender, where they live, how they do communion, or how they baptize. This is also demonstrated through Jesus, who went to anyone: Gentile, Jew, male, female, elite, or slave. God is a God of diversity unified under the umbrella of people trying to follow His ways.
