God’s desire is for restoration. After all the words in Amos to describe visions of judgment, there is almost a surprise in these words of grace. But God always desires a relationship. Notice the phrase "the Lord your God" in Amos 9:15. And restoration also impacts the community of God’s people. The Lord told Peter that when he would be restored he should strengthen his brethren (Lk. 22:32).
This passage also shows a picture of the future restoration to come in the time of Christ’s kingdom. The Lord Himself will be seen and honored. This illustrates that giving glory to the Lord is part of the steps to recovery.
In the midst of dark brushstrokes of sorrow, there emerge these streaks of brightness—"yet I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob," verse 8.
Verse 11 speaks about "the tabernacle of David." This is not referring to the tabernacle that was constructed in the time of Moses. Rather, it’s the word for a "booth" or a temporary shelter, like those constructed for the "Feast of Tabernacles" in Old Testament times. The meaning is that the glory of David’s house had become like nothing—it was merely a crude booth, a hut. The glory days were long past, and there was only weakness remaining. But God’s grace would restore David’s dynasty, like the "days of old."
Verse 8 identifies God as “Adonai Jehovah” (the meaning of "Lord God" when the name God is written with small capitals, as in many English Bibles). Adonai is God’s name of authority, and Amos uses the phrase "Lord God" in this way 21 times. God has the right to be the Judge, and this scene can remind us of the Lord Jesus walking among the candlesticks in Revelation 2 and 3. The Church of God now is like the house of David was in this passage—our great "David," the Lord Jesus, will be loved and honored, and we will share His glory.
We don’t actually see the restoration taking place in the time of Amos. It’s something promised for the future, and it’s the Lord who says, "I will do it." He restores our souls, and He leads us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
It’s a mark of God’s love that He often presents us a picture of what restoration would look like if we would return to Him, even if it’s not yet a reality. It shows us what He desires us to enjoy with Him.
All the sinners thought that the evil would not come to them. In their stubbornness, they are exposed. But those who are recovered and restored enjoy all the blessings of verses 11-15.
In the prophetic aspect of this book, this passage and others emphasize that God does indeed have a future plan for the nation of Israel. We do not take these promises away from Israel and substitute the Church today into those promises! Yet God’s principles are the same, and the applications of the truth of restoration will encourage us.
Would we ever suppose that God will not be able to accomplish His plans? It’s the grace of God, and that is revealed to us now through the Lord Jesus. Every work of restoration, whether for Israel, the Church, the Gentiles, individuals, all of creation—every aspect of restoration is based on God’s grace and the work of Christ.
There is reference to this restoration being like the "days of old." We always want to go back to God’s ways and to His original plans. Christianity does not need new ideas.
First we appreciate that God is at work, verse 11; then we can enjoy the inheritance, verse 12. In Amos 7 there had been a vision of a builder’s plumbline, used to indicate whether a wall is plumb, or vertical. What is God’s plumbline? It is the Lord Jesus Himself. When we are in the right alignment with Him, everything else is in the right alignment as well. And He is the heir, the one who deserves the throne.
The blessings described are very full. In chapter 5 the people were going to build houses but not be able to live in them; they would plant vineyards but not enjoy the fruit. But here, in Amos 9:14, there is complete enjoyment. It’s because they had the Lord, and now everything else could be enjoyed in its place.
Our sorrow can be replaced by extravagant blessings that overwhelm what has been lost. It’s like the words from Joel: "I will restore to you the years that the locusts have eaten" (Joel 2:25). Psalm 51:12 says, "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation." If we are away from the Lord, it’s not that we can have those years replaced; but the joy of salvation overcomes the past. Another picture is the lame man in Acts 3 who was suddenly walking, leaping, and praising God.
Restoration has great effects. In the New Testament, John Mark had turned back from the Lord’s work; but later he was profitable in that service. He worked with Paul and with Peter and wrote one of the four gospels! John Mark is a great example of what can happen in restoration.
God remains faithful. He always seeks to close up the breaches. Even our own relationships are restored. The passage in James 5:16 relates to this. The one who had committed wrong confesses, and the one who had been wronged prays. This is a beautiful example of forgiveness and restoration in our personal relationships with fellow believers.
The act of restoration begins with God’s Spirit of grace being poured out, as in Zechariah 12:10. In that passage we then see all the various families of Israel mourning for their sin. It is God’s work and then our response to it. Zechariah 13:1 describes a fountain that removes sin and uncleanness.
And our response leads to great activity. Amos 9:13-14 describe a great deal of work and activity in the restored kingdom! We will be active for the Lord when we are restored.
In addition, there is stability. The last verse of the chapter describes the people being planted and established with permanence. Finally there is peace. Hebrews 12:11 describes the “peaceable fruit of righteousness” that grows in the lives of those who are exercised by God’s discipline. There will be peace in our fellowship with Him and peace in our relationships with others when restoration has its work in our lives.