013. VI. The Immediate And Distant Future Of The Hebrew Race (9:7-15)
VI THE IMMEDIATE AND DISTANT FUTURE OF THE HEBREW RACE (Amos 9:7-15)
Israel answerable to the same divine laws as other peoples (Amos 9:7). Urge no longer, O Israelites, the vain plea that Jehovah stands in such a peculiarly close relation to you that he will not destroy you. In his sight you are on an equality with the dark-skinned Ethiopians. True, he led you as a nation out of Egypt, but in precisely the same way he guided your hated enemies, the Philistines and the Arameans, as they set out from the lands of their nativity, and finally gave them a home in Palestine.
Punishment of the nation shall be proportionate to its guilt (Amos 9:8-10). Jehovah sees all of Israel’s guilt, and, since he is a God of impartial justice, he can do nothing but destroy this wicked, defiant state. Yet the Hebrew race shall not be completely cut off, for all are not equally culpable. To eliminate the evil from the good, Jehovah will scatter them among the nations, and captivity, like a sieve, will separate the different elements in the nation. The defiant reprobates, who lull the people to sleep with beguiling assurances that no danger impends, will receive their just desert at the edge of the sword; but over each faithful one Jehovah will carefully watch, that none may be lost.
Epilogue: promise to the faithful of a glorious restoration in the distant future (Amos 9:11-15). [Jehovah declares that when captivity has done its work of sifting, and when the Hebrew race has learned, through discipline, its solemn lessons, he will revive the humbled kingdom, over which David once reigned, and will restore to it the prestige and wide rule of that glorious era. In those coming days, so abundant shall be the fruits of the soil that, before they are gathered in, it will be time again to begin the sowing. Productive vineyards shall crown every hill-top. To enjoy this rich bounty of nature, and to rebuild the old ruins, Jehovah will recall his scattered people, and will establish them in their land, from whence they shall never again be torn.]