Amos-9
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Remember the following two
truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the
LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Davarim -
Deuteronomy Chapter 31, verse 6.
JPS-1917 version of the Torah.
חִזְקוּ וְאִמְצוּ, אַל-תִּירְאוּ וְאַל-תַּעַרְצוּ מִפְּנֵיהֶם: כִּי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, הוּא הַהֹלֵךְ עִמָּךְ-לֹא יַרְפְּךָ, וְלֹא יַעַזְבֶךָּ
“Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be affrighted at them; for יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheycha (God), He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee’”.
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Introduction:
Amnos - Amos Chapter 9 presents a
powerful closing oracle from the prophet Amos. It moves from a vivid vision of יְהוָה - the LORD at the altar and
a declaration of unavoidable judgment, through images that show there is
nowhere to hide from divine justice, to a surprising turn toward restoration
and hope for the remnant of Israel. The chapter balances אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s sovereignty and
holiness, the certainty of judgment for persistent sin,
and the
promise of renewal for those whom אֱלֹהִים preserves. This passage
is often used in study to explore how Divine justice and mercy coexist, and how
judgment can lead to eventual restoration!
Let
us now read Amnos - Amos Chapter 9: Using JPS-1917 version
of the Tanakh.
1. “I
saw יְהוָה - the LORD
standing beside the altar; and He said: Smite the capitals, that the posts may
shake; and break them in pieces on the head of all of them; and I will slay the
residue of them with the sword; there shall not one of them flee away, and
there shall not one of them escape.
2. Though they dig into the nether-world, thence
shall My hand take them; and though they climb up to
heaven, thence will I bring them down.
3. And though they hide themselves in the top of
Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from My
sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall
bite them.
4. And though they go into captivity before their
enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them; and I will
set Mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.
5. For יְהוָה - the LORD, the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of hosts, is He that toucheth
the land and it melteth, and all that dwell therein
mourn; and it riseth up wholly like the River, and sinketh again, like the River of Egypt;
6. It is He that buildeth
His upper chambers in the heaven, and hath founded His vault upon the earth; He
that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth; יְהוָה - the LORD
is His Name.
7. Are ye not as the children of the Ethiopians
unto Me, O children of Israel? saith
יְהוָה - the LORD.
Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt,
and the Philistines from Caphtor, and Aram from Kir?
8. Behold, the eyes of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה -the LORD Elohim are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it
from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the
house of Jacob, saith יְהוָה - the LORD.
9. For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the
house of Israel among all the nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet
shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.
10. All the sinners of My
people shall die by the sword, that say: 'The evil shall not overtake nor
confront us.
11. In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of
David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof, and I will raise up
his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old;
12. That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and
all the nations, upon whom My name is called, saith יְהוָה - the LORD
that doeth this.
13. Behold,
the days come, saith יְהוָה - the LORD, that the plowman
shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes
him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop
sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.
14. And I will turn the captivity of My people Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and
inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they
shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
15. And I will plant them upon their land, and they
shall no more be plucked up out of their land which I have given them, saith יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD
thy Eloheycha (God)”.
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From hereon, I will provide explanations and details of this remarkable chapter!
Detailed explanation and meaning in detail:
1.
Vision and the certainty of judgment (verses 1-4).
Verse 1: Amos sees יְהוָה - the LORD standing by the altar and hears a command to “smite the capitals” and break the posts. The altar and its fittings symbolize the religious life of the nation. The command to strike the capitals and posts indicates that the very structures of worship and leadership are subject to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s judgment. The language is decisive: none will escape.
Verses 2-4: These verses emphasize the inescapability of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s judgment. No depth (the nether-world), height (heaven), remote places (Carmel), or the sea will hide people from אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s reach. The images show that human attempts to flee, by death, by ascent, by hiding, or by exile that cannot evade אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s sovereign action. The mention of commanding the serpent or the sword illustrates אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s control over both natural and human instruments of punishment. The repeated “though” structure underscores that every refuge is known and controlled by אֱלֹהִים.
2. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s power over creation and nations (verses 5-7).
Verse 5: אֱלֹהִים is described as the one who touches the land and it melts; the people mourn. This image links ‘Divine action’ to ‘natural upheaval earthquakes’, ‘floods’, or other disasters as signs of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s intervention. The comparison to the River of Egypt (the Nile) suggests sudden, overwhelming movement.
Verse 6: אֱלֹהִים is the cosmic builder, establishing chambers in heaven and founding the vault of the earth, who calls the waters and pours them out. This verse emphasizes אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s cosmic sovereignty: the same אֱלֹהִים who controls the heavens and seas is the one acting in history.
Verse 7: אֱלֹהִים reminds the Israelites of His past acts, bringing Israel up from Egypt and other nations from their lands, highlighting that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s dealings with nations are purposeful. The rhetorical question about the Ethiopians (children of Cush) underscores that to אֱלֹהִים all peoples are alike; Israel’s special status does not exempt them from accountability.
3. Judgment tempered by preservation of a remnant (verses 8-10).
Verse 8: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s eyes are upon the sinful kingdom and He will destroy it, yet He will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob. This introduces the theme of judgment with mercy, destruction for sin, but preservation for the people’s continuity.
Verse 9: The image of sifting Israel among the nations like corn in a sieve suggests purification and testing. Even though Israel will be scattered, not the least grain will fall אֱלֹהִים will preserve a remnant. This is a key theological point: exile and dispersion are not total annihilation but part of a refining process.
Verse 10: A warning to those who presume on safety, those who say “the evil shall not overtake nor confront us.” The fate of such complacency is death by the sword; complacent confidence in security is exposed as false.
4. Promise of restoration and the Davidic hope (verses 11-12).
Verse 11: אֱלֹהִים will raise up the fallen tabernacle of David, close its breaches, and rebuild it as in former days. This is a promise of restoration of Davidic rule or blessing, a restoration of leadership, worship, and national integrity.
Verse 12: The restored people will possess the remnant of Edom and other nations; God’s name will be called upon them. This suggests a reversal of fortunes: those who once oppressed Israel will be subdued, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s people will be re-established.
5. The vision of abundance and final restoration (verses 13-15).
Verse 13: The imagery of the ploughman overtaking the reaper and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed paints a picture of such agricultural abundance that the normal cycles are transformed harvests are so plentiful that work overlaps. Mountains dropping sweet wine and hills melting are poetic ways to describe overflowing blessing.
Verse 14: אֱלֹהִים will turn the captivity of Israel; they will rebuild ruined cities, plant vineyards, drink their wine, make gardens, and eat their fruit. This is concrete, everyday restoration homes, food, and community life restored.
Verse 15: אֱלֹהִים will plant them on their land so they will no more be plucked up from the land He gave them. The promise is one of permanence and divine faithfulness: the gift of land is reaffirmed and secured by אֱלֹהִים.
6. Major themes and practical reflections:
Sovereignty and reach of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s authority extends over the cosmos and human history; nothing is outside His control.
Justice and holiness: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s judgment is a response to persistent sin and injustice; religious forms alone do not protect from accountability.
Remnant and hope: Even in the midst of judgment, אֱלֹהִים preserves a faithful remnant and promises restoration, this is central to the prophetic message.
Restoration as renewal: The final vision is not merely political restoration but social and agricultural renewal, life renewed in ordinary blessings.
Application for study: Reflect on where complacency or false security might appear in a community; consider how judgment and mercy function together; meditate on the hope that אֱלֹהִים can rebuild what seems irreparably broken.
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Chapter Closing Message:
Reflective:
As we close this chapter, let us take a moment to pause and reflect on what you’ve may have learned; the ideas you’ve explored here are building blocks for deeper understanding and future discovery. Carry forward the questions that linger and let them guide your next steps.
Concise:
This chapter ends here, but your learning continues, review the key points, note one action to try, and return with fresh curiosity.
Motivational:
Now we have reached the end, you’ve made meaningful progress, why not celebrate that effort, apply one of the insight’s from this chapter in the coming week, and keep moving forward with confidence!
May אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, may He richly bless and keep you!
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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following, via several of our prophets...
“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!
אֲנִי
יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I
am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances,
and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and
you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel
20:19-20. (JPS).
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May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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