Bible Commentaries
Amos 9

Verses 1-10

No possibility of escape (9:1-10)

In the final vision God causes a shrine to collapse on the heads of the worshippers. The picture is that of God’s judgment on the people of Israel because of their false religion (9:1). None will escape his judgment. No place is beyond his reach (2-4). He is the God of nature, the controller of the universe. He has the power to carry out his plans (5-6).
Some Israelites might object that this could not happen to them, because they are God’s chosen people. He brought them out of Egypt and he would not send them into a foreign country again. Amos points out that past blessings are not a guarantee of present safety. God directed the movements of other nations, not just Israel, but when people are sinful he will punish them, regardless of their nationality. In this matter Israelites have no advantage over people of other nationalities, such as Ethiopians, Philistines or Syrians. God will destroy Israel, but he will preserve the minority within Israel who remain faithful to him. Through these he will fulfil his purposes (7-8).
Amos gives a final picture of the certain judgment that is to fall on the sinful Israelites. As no pebble or other worthless matter falls through a sieve, so no sinner will escape God’s judgment. If people think that because they are Israelites they will not experience God’s judgment, they are only deceiving themselves (9-10).

Verses 11-15

9:11-15 HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Beyond judgment Amos sees God’s forgiveness. Captivity in a foreign land will bring to an end the old division between the northern state of Israel and the southern state of Judah. God will bring the reunited people back into their land, where they will live in security and prosperity under the rule of the restored Davidic dynasty. Israel’s rule will extend over other nations, here represented by Edom (11-12). The land will become so productive that grain will grow faster than farmers can harvest it. The reaper will not be able to finish his work before the next planting is due. Cities will be rebuilt and the people will live in happiness and safety (13-15).

The blessings that the prophet pictures here are far greater than those experienced by post-exilic Israel. In the New Testament Amos’s picture of the rule of the Davidic king over the nations is applied to the expansion of Christ’s kingdom among the Gentiles (Acts 15:13-18; cf. Ephesians 3:6). No doubt there will be an greater application in the future (cf. Romans 8:19-23; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 22:1-5).