Amós 9
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Amós 9
Guzik - Amos sees the Lord right at the temple, supervising the work of judgment. Amos wants us to know that God isn’t detached from even His hard work of judgment. McComiskey feels that "The temple was not a literal temple, for the collapse of such a building would affect only a few. Rather it represents the religion of the northern kingdom, which, in the end, brought about the destruction of its adherents. The decay of the social structure that resulted from their cold externalism could lead only to national ruin. The gross sin of idolatry could lead only to judgment." Altar (04196)(mizbeah from zabach = to slaughter for sacrifice or for food) is a masculine noun that is frequent in the OT (338x) and describes the place of sacrifice where offerings were made to a deity. The first use in Ge 8:20 describes the altar built by Noah as his first act after he survived the flood. Abraham is associated with an altar in Ge 12:7,8; 13:4, 18; Ge 22:9. Not surprisingly the majority of OT occurrences are in Leviticus (88x in 72v and Exodus is not far behind - 61x in 53v). The first offering by Cain and Abel does not mention a specific altar (Ge 4:3). And He said - Too often we think of God as love, and that He is, but here Amos describes Him as shouting orders of judgment like the commander-in-chief that He truly is (cf the "Captain of the hosts" Josh 5:14 and also His "military" Name, Jehovah Sabaoth, LORD of hosts (of armies). Smite the capitals so that the thresholds will shake - Adonay Himself directs the judgment. The capitals (kaphtôr) can be defined as the decorative "knob" on the lampstand or the "capital" atop a pillar and (apparently derived from the name of Crete, as the place from which such ornamentations were first imported. From the capital to the threshold speaks of from top to bottom destruction, the shaking possibly indicating an earthquake as the agent of destruction. Will shake (H7493)(ra'ash) most commonly translated quake or tremble of heavens (Jdg 5:4), foundations of earth (2 Sa 22:8), mountains (Ps 46:3, Jer 4:24, Nahum 1:5), the land (Ps 60:2, Jer 8:16), earth (Jer 10:10, Joel 3:16), heavens (Joel 2:10). See last 3 uses of God's promise to shake the heavens, all nations (Hag 2:6, 7, 21). Compare to the graphic description of the destruction of Nineveh in Zephaniah Flocks will lie down in her midst, All beasts which range in herds; Both the pelican and the hedgehog Will lodge in the tops of her pillars; Birds will sing in the window, Desolation will be on the threshold; For He has laid bare the cedar work. (Zeph 2:14) Hubbard - To whom are the divine commands smite and shatter addressed? To a heavenly servant like one of Isaiah’s seraphim (6:2, 6–7)? To the prophet whose symbolic gesture or spoken word had the power to launch the destruction? We cannot be sure. It is more likely that the imperatives (both singular) are a dramatic way of announcing the pending devastation and are directed toward no specific agent. (TOTC - Amos) The threshold (Hebrew sap) marked the entrance and in this context presumably the entrance into the place of idol worship. This entry way is not "narrow" but "broad" and will shake, quake and tremble, not only for the Israelites but for all who enter this godless threshold. And so this door that led into godless worship recalls Jesus' fearful warning that instead of entering the gate of idolatry we should enter the narrow gate of God Enter (command) through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction (apoleia = not annihilation but eternal ruin, forever useless to do anything of worth or value, in short an eternally wasted existence, forever separated from the glorious presence of Jehovah - 2 Th 1:7-9), and there are many (NOT JUST A FEW) who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few (NOT MANY) who find it. (Mt 7:13-14+, cf "the narrow door" in Luke 13:24+). Hubbard writes "Like the boss of a demolition squad or the commander of an invading enemy, he snaps his orders for the smashing of the temple and takes personal responsibility for seeing that the last offender is brought to justice.” And break them on the heads of them all! - Judgment begins at the center of idolatry. Does this not remind us of a similar divine judgment carried out by God's human instrument name Samson? Now the lords of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice, for they said, “Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hands.” 24 When the people saw him, they praised their god, for they said, “Our god has given our enemy into our hands, Even the destroyer of our country, Who has slain many of us.” 25 It so happened when they were in high spirits, that they said, “Call for Samson, that he may amuse us.” So they called for Samson from the prison, and he entertained them. And they made him stand between the pillars. 26 Then Samson said to the boy who was holding his hand, “Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them.” 27 Now the house was full of men and women, and all the lords of the Philistines were there. And about 3,000 men and women were on the roof looking on while Samson was amusing them. 28Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and braced himself against them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left. 30 And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he bent with all his might so that the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed in his life. 31 Then his brothers and all his father’s household came down, took him, brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. Thus he had judged Israel twenty years. (Jdg 16:23-31+) Break (shatter)(H1214)(batsa) to cut off, shear, break off, gain by unrighteous violence, get, finish, be covetous, be greedy. There is some evidence that BATSA' is a technical term used by weavers to designate the action of cutting a piece of cloth free from the loom after it has been woven and Isa 38:12 bears this out when it has Hezekiah contemplating the end of his life in such terms. Job (Job 6:9) also asks that God would cut off his life. Criswell - The demolition of the altar = removal of altar from temple to a point at which one could escape any threat. The removal of the horns of the altar from the temple, the place of refuge to escape an avenger, meant that the temple was no longer a place of refuge. Therefore, judgment will now fall upon Israel as upon other sinful nations. V8 stresses esp end of the southern kingdom. But this judgment will not completely destroy "the house of Jacob." From the remaining masses of Hebrews will yet come another organized government, and the time will come when the law will indeed go forth from Jerusalem. The immutable principle of the altar's role in atonement by the shedding of blood is not made ineffective by this temporary judgment on the altar as a place of refuge from an avenger. The scarlet thread through the Bible continues to be revealed. Then I will slay the rest of them with the sword - Slay (H2026)(harag) is used of judicial execution as well as killing animals, of Cain killing Abel (Ge 4:8). Here the slaying is righteous. They will not have a fugitive who will flee, Or a refugee who will escape - The word inescapable means unable to be avoided or denied, incapable of being escaped or avoided; impossible to ignore - unavoidable, inevitable, ineluctable, ineliminable, inexorable, assured, sure, certain, bound to happen, sure to happen, unpreventable, preordained, predestined, predetermined! If you are not yet safe in Jesus by grace through faith dear reader, then you need to read the preceding descriptions and synonyms of God's coming just judgment! And then take a stroll and walk down The Romans Road to Salvation! John MacArthur gives us the background of Amos - Amos was a Judean prophet called to deliver a message primarily to the northern tribes of Israel (7:15). Politically, it was a time of prosperity under the long and secure reign of Jeroboam II who, following the example of his father Joash (2 Kin. 13:25), significantly “restored the territory of Israel” (2 Kin. 14:25). It was also a time of peace with both Judah (cf. 5:5) and her more distant neighbors; the ever-present menace of Assyria was subdued earlier that century because of Nineveh’s repentance at the preaching of Jonah (Jonah 3:10). Spiritually, however, it was a time of rampant corruption and moral decay (Amos 4:1; 5:10–13; 2 Ki 14:24). Historical and Theological Themes Amos addresses Israel’s two primary sins: 1) an absence of true worship, and 2) a lack of justice. In the midst of their ritualistic performance of worship, they were not pursuing the Lord with their hearts (Amos 4:4,5; 5:4–6) nor following His standard of justice with their neighbors (Amos 5:10–13; 6:12). This apostasy, evidenced by continual, willful rejection of the prophetic message of Amos, is promised divine judgment. Because of His covenant, however, the Lord will not abandon Israel altogether, but will bring future restoration to the righteous remnant (Amos 9:7–15). (Introduction) Amos 9:2 "Though they dig into Sheol, From there will My hand take them; And though they ascend to heaven, From there will I bring them down. KJV Amos 9:2 Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down: dig Job 26:6; Ps 139:7-10; Isaiah 2:19 climb Job 20:6; Isaiah 14:13-16; Jeremiah 49:16; 51:53; Ezekiel 28:13-16; Obadiah 1:4; Luke 10:18 NO PLACE TO HIDE! You can run, but you can’t hide.” Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - Though All these energetic expressions were intended to shew the utter impossibility of escape. David asked rhetorically Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. (Ps. 139:7-10) A passage in Nu 23:19 says "behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out." (Nu 32:23) While this warning was specifically directed at the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh, exhorting them to fulfill their commitment to participate with the other tribes in the campaign in Canaan, it expresses a universal principle. No sin against God or His Word will remain secret and unpunished. And in the day of His righteous, just judgment there will no place to hide. Have you hidden in Christ by grace through faith, so that your sins might be taken away and you will be rescued from the wrath to come? (1 Th 1:9-10). God is omnipresent in bestowing His blessings and His cursings. The only salvation from His judgment is to run into the strong tower of the Name of the Lord! (Pr 18:10+). Isaiah describes the vain attempt of men to flee the righteous judgment of Jehovah Men will go into caves of the rocks And into holes of the ground Before the terror of the LORD And the splendor of His majesty, When He arises to make the earth tremble. (Isaiah 2:19+) John the apostle picks up the picture in Isaiah in his description of another horrible time, the one of a kind Great Tribulation of the last of the Last Days, when the Jews would experience the Time of Jacob's distress described in Jeremiah 30:7+. The earth-dwellers (unbelieving Jews and Gentiles ) at that time will be so horrified at God's hand of judgment that that they will flee in terror before the return of the Judge and King of kings I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood...Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; (Rev 6:12, 15-16+)
Amós 9
Guzik comments - Amos uses the title Lord God again – used 12 times in Amos 7-9, emphasizing the sovereignty of God. “That sovereignty is symbolized in the name of God that dominates this section – Lord God, literally ‘My Master Yahwheh.’” (Hubbard) The One who touches the land so that it melts - Yahweh's power is so great that the earth melts when He touches the land! What does this depict? The NET Note says "The verb probably depicts earthquakes and landslides." The Septuagint translation would support this thought as the Hebrew verb for melt (mug) is translated with the verb saleuo (from salos = wave) means to cause to move to and fro, cause to waver or totter, make to rock. To shake or agitate as by winds or storms. It refers to unexpected and disastrous shaking, of what would be thought to be stable, e.g. earth or sky shake. In Acts 16, saleuo is used literally of an earthquake (Acts 16:26). Saleuo described a ship at anchor slipping its mooring in the midst of a heavy wind. In an ancient letter we read "you sent me letters which would have shaken (saleuo) a stone, so much did your words move me". Hubbard agrees writing that "The melting of the earth (theophanic language as in Ps. 46:6 [ED: SAME HEBREW VERB = mug and Lxx = saleuo]; Mic. 1:3–4) and the mourning of its inhabitants looked back to the earthquake of Amos 9:1 (cf. Nahum 1:5 where ‘quake’, raash, and ‘melt’, mug, are paralleled [ED: AND AGAIN "MELT" IS TRANSLATED IN THE SEPTUAGINT WITH saleuo - SHAKE]). It is interesting that this same Hebrew verb (mug) for melts is used in Amos 9:13 in Amos' description that "all the hills will be dissolved (melted)." And all those who dwell in it mourn - Notice the "and" which links the mourning with the melting. When God melts or shakes the land, those who dwell in the land will mourn at the effects of God's shaking/melting. The Septuagint translates the Hebrew for mourn (abal) with the Greek verb pentheo means to mourn for, lament or grieve over a death or other profound loss. It refers to "manifested grief" severe enough to take possession of a person and hence cannot be hid and thus may be manifest as loud mourning as when one laments for the dead. The picture is that of a severe emotional reaction to the effects of the Yahweh "touching" their land. In fact the figurative meaning of the verb melt is to experience an emotional "melt down" which would be very much in keeping with the description of those who mourn. Sin is destructive and will cost Israel dearly. What the Bible Teaches – In Psalm 46:6-7, the fact that He utters His voice and the earth melts (mug) is an encouragement to the people of God, for it is such a God of power who is "with us", and is "our refuge" (Ps 46:1). In the setting of Amos 9:5, such evidence of divine power is a chill reminder that He has the necessary power to implement the threats of the previous verses. In Amos 8:8 “Because of this (Amos 8:7 the Lord will not forget) will not the land quake and everyone who dwells in it mourn? Indeed, all of it will rise up like the Nile, And it will be tossed about And subside like the Nile of Egypt." And all of it rises up like the Nile and subsides like the Nile of Egypt - This is a picture of God's power and sovereignty over His creation and His creatures and specifically His power to alter the course of earthly matters causing them to rise and fall or to ebb and flow, like the waters of the Nile. The idea could also be that He causes the land to undulate like the Nile River. Amos 9:6 The One who builds His upper chambers in the heavens And has founded His vaulted dome over the earth, He who calls for the waters of the sea And pours them out on the face of the earth, The LORD is His name KJV Amos 9:6 It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name. builds Ps 104:3,13 calls Amos 5:8; Genesis 7:11-19; Jeremiah 5:22 The LORD Amos 4:13; Exodus 3:14,15 JEHOVAH CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH Hubbard comments that "“It is hard to catch the exact picture of what Yahweh is building in verse 6. The heavenly construction may be a ‘staircase’ or a ‘roof-chamber’ . . . The earthly component is even more difficult to define precisely.” (TOTC-Amos) The One who builds His upper chambers in the heavens - While the exact meaning of this phrase is not clear, what is clear is that Yahweh is in control of His Heavens, His dwelling place. And has founded His vaulted dome over the earth - As such God would have no difficulty in reaching any who might be able "ascend to heaven" and bring them down (Amos 9:2). NET Note - Verse 6a pictures the entire universe as a divine palace founded on the earth and extending into the heavens. He who calls for the waters of the sea And pours them out on the face of the earth - This is a description of God's power to cause water vapor to rise up out of the sea, be deposited in clouds and bring rain to the earth. McComiskey says "He is the one who has built his temple in heaven and founded the arch of heaven itself above the earth. He draws water from the sea and causes it to rain upon the earth. If he can do all this, building the invisible and commanding the visible, how much more will he be able to rain down punishment upon a rebellious people!" (The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary) Amos 5:8 has a similar description writing that "He who made the Pleiades and Orion And changes deep darkness into morning, Who also darkens day into night, Who calls for the waters of the sea And pours them out on the surface of the earth, The LORD (Lxx = Pantokrator as in Amos 9:5) is His name." The LORD is His name - (Lxx = Pantokrator as in Amos 9:5) This is a clear reminder to Israel of Who they have rejected! Jehovah speaks of His covenant keeping Name. They have rebelled against His covenant. Earlier Amos had affirmed the Name of God declaring "For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind And declares to man what are His thoughts, He who makes dawn into darkness And treads on the high places of the earth, The LORD God of hosts is His name." (Amos 4:13) Amos 9:7 "Are you not as the sons of Ethiopia to Me, O sons of Israel?" declares the LORD. "Have I not brought up Israel from the land of Egypt, And the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir KJV Amos 9:7 Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir? NET Amos 9:7 "You Israelites are just like the Ethiopians in my sight," says the LORD. "Certainly I brought Israel up from the land of Egypt, but I also brought the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir. NLT Amos 9:7 "Are you Israelites more important to me than the Ethiopians? " asks the LORD. "I brought Israel out of Egypt, but I also brought the Philistines from Crete and led the Arameans out of Kir. NIV Amos 9:7 "Are not you Israelites the same to me as the Cushites?" declares the LORD. "Did I not bring Israel up from Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir? Are you not as the sons of Ethiopia Jeremiah 9:25,26; 13:23 Have I not Amos 2:10; Exodus 12:51; Hosea 12:13 the Philistines Deuteronomy 2:23; Jeremiah 47:4 the Syrians 1:5; 2 Kings 16:9 ISRAEL AS GOD'S PEOPLE NOT A PASS FOR PUNISHMENT What the Bible Teaches – For centuries, the children of Israel had enjoyed the favour of God, and there were clear lines of demarcation between them and the other nations of men. They were distinct in dress, in diet, and most certainly in religion. By embracing idolatry, they had erased these differences, and God now takes them up on the stance they had adopted, and treats them as He would have treated any other idolatrous nation. There would be no concessions just because they were in a covenant relationship with Him.
Amós 9
Guzik - Amos knew that Israel was ruined, because he speaks of restoring the tabernacle of David instead of the house of David. A tabernacle is a house, but a humble one. This “Pictures the ‘house’ of David that was becoming a dilapidated shack; in Amos’ time the Davidic dynasty had fallen so low that it could no longer be called a house.” (McComiskey)
Amós 9
Guzik - When God releases blessing and restoration, fruit comes from unexpected places. Normally, grapevines don’t grow well on mountains or high hills, but in the days of Israel’s restoration even the mountains shall drip with sweet wine and all the hills shall flow with it. When God releases blessing and restoration, the work is blessed – but it is still work. The plowman, the reaper, the treader of grapes, and him who sows seed still have their work to do. God doesn’t just do it all for them, but under God’s blessing and restoration the work is done with energy and joy. The plowman doesn’t just wait around; he gets busy even if he starts bumping into the reaper! “One sign of a true revival, and indeed an essential part of it is the increased activity of God’s laborers.” (Spurgeon) Sunukijan says "The grapes will hang so heavy in the mountain vineyards that the hills will drip and flow (lit., "melt") with new wine (cf. Joel 3:18). So much juice will drip from the vines or overflow from the vats that the mountains will appear from a distance to be "dissolving" as softened mud will ooze down the slopes" (Ibid) And all the hills will be dissolved - Dissolved is verb used to describe Yahweh's power to melt the land (Amos 9:5). Here because of the divine blessing on the land and the enhanced fertility and harvest it is as if the hills are are flowing with wine (as if they have "melted"). Gesenius' Hebrew and Chaldee note on Hebrew verb mug = Hithpalpel, to flow down, to melt, Amos 9:13, hyperbolically, “all the hills shall flow down,” shall all, as it were, dissolve into wine and oil. Gary Smith - Some in the Church deny that God has promised to reestablish Israel physically in the land of Canaan and fulfill covenant promises made to Abraham and his seed. They believe that the promises to Israel were conditioned on the nation’s obedience to God. They reason that since Israel sinned, breaking her covenant agreement with God, she forfeited any promise of a literal reestablishment in the land of Canaan by the Lord. Those holding this position teach that the Church has taken the place of Israel, and the promises made to the nation are now being fulfilled spiritually in the Church. Thus, the Church is the true Israel of God today, known as spiritual Israel. This interpretation contains several problem areas. First, those holding this position do not interpret Scripture literally; they spiritualize the text and in so doing give a wrong interpretation to the passages dealing with Kingdom promises to Israel. Second, it is clear from Scripture that the promises to Abraham and his seed were given unconditionally and eternally; they did not depend upon Abraham’s faith or obedience for their fulfillment (Gen. 12:1–3; 15:7–8; 16:6–8). Third, it is never stated in Scripture that the Church has replaced Israel and become spiritual Israel. Fourth, nowhere in the Bible is it said that Israel has forfeited her right to enjoy the promises given in the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants. In fact, the opposite is true. Over and over again, God gives Israel assurances in the prophetic writings that He will fulfill His covenant promises to the nation. Related Resources: What is replacement theology / supersessionism? What is spiritual Israel? What is New Israel? Amos 9:14 "Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them; They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit. KJV Amos 9:14 And I will bring again the captivity of my people of 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. NET Amos 9:14 I will bring back my people, Israel; they will rebuild the cities lying in rubble and settle down. They will plant vineyards and drink the wine they produce; they will grow orchards and eat the fruit they produce. NRS Amos 9:14 I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. NLT Amos 9:14 I will bring my exiled people of Israel back from distant lands, and they will rebuild their ruined cities and live in them again. They will plant vineyards and gardens; they will eat their crops and drink their wine. Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel Ps 53:6; Jeremiah 30:3,18; 31:23; Ezekiel 16:53; 39:25; Joel 3:1,2 rebuild Isaiah 61:4; 65:21; Jer 30:18; 31:38-40; Ezekiel 36:33-36; 37:25-28 plant Amos 5:11; Isaiah 62:8,9; Ezekiel 28:26; Zephaniah 1:13 GOD RESTORES ISRAEL ISRAEL REBUILDS Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel - This includes the "Ten Lost Tribes" which will be finally shown to have not been lost to the omniscient, covenant keeping God! The Septuagint (Lxx) translates captivity with the noun aichmalosia which means captivity, state of captivity as a result of war (Rev 13.10). NRSV renders it "I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel." (NRSV) The NET Note adds "This line can also be translated "I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel" and is a common idiom with three examples below (out of 20 uses in the OT - click here for discussion of all 20 passages) Jeremiah 30:3+ ‘For behold, days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah.’ The LORD says, ‘I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers and they shall possess it.’” Hosea 6:11+ Also, O Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you, When I restore the fortunes of My people. Zeph 3:20+ “At that time I will bring you in, Even at the time when I gather you together; Indeed, I will give you renown and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” Says the LORD. Related Resource: In depth discussion of Old Testament phrase restore the fortunes And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them - Note the juxtaposition of divine sovereignty (I will restore) and man's responsibility (they will build). Note the contrast with the divine judgment in Amos 5:11. The end times destruction in Israel will leave the country in ruins, but God promises that what was ruined will be rebuilt. Isaiah has similar prophecies Then (Messianic Kingdom, cf Isa 32:15-17) my people will live in a peaceful habitation, And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places; (Isaiah 32:18) (Isaiah 61:4) Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, They will raise up the former devastations; And they will repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. (Isaiah 65:21-23) “They will build houses and inhabit them; They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 “They will not build and another inhabit, They will not plant and another eat; For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, And My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands. 23 “They will not labor in vain, Or bear children for calamity; For they are the offspring of those blessed by the LORD, And their descendants with them. ESV Study Bible - To build cities and enjoy food and prosperity, when these things are enjoyed in obedience to the Lord and with thanksgiving to him, is to enjoy God’s blessing. This prophecy echoes the more detailed prophecies in Jeremiah (Jeremiah 30:18+) “Thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I will restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob And have compassion on his dwelling places; And the city (ZION, JERUSALEM) will be rebuilt on its ruin, And the palace will stand on its rightful place. (Jeremiah 31:38-40+) “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the city (ZION, JERUSALEM) will be rebuilt for the LORD from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. 39 “The measuring line will go out farther straight ahead to the hill Gareb; then it will turn to Goah. 40 “And the whole valley of the dead bodies and of the ashes, and all the fields as far as the brook Kidron, to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, shall be holy to the LORD (Read Zechariah 14:20-21+); it will not be plucked up or overthrown anymore forever.” (Ezekiel 36:33-36+) ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “On the day (cf Amos 9:11 "IN THAT DAY") that I cleanse you from all your iniquities (- Also read Zechariah 12:10-14+, Zechariah 13:1+), I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places will be rebuilt. 34 “The desolate land will be cultivated instead of being a desolation in the sight of everyone who passes by. 35 “They will say, ‘This desolate land has become like the garden of Eden; and the waste, desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.’ 36 “Then the nations that are left round about you will know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted that which was desolate; I, the LORD, have spoken and will do it.” (Ezek 37:24-28+) My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them. 25 “They will live on the land that I gave to Jacob My servant, in which your fathers lived (see Ge 15:18-21+); and they will live on it, they, and their sons and their sons’ sons, forever; and David My servant will be their prince forever (cf Ezek 34:23-24). 26 “I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever. 27 “My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people. 28 “And the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever.”’ Comment regarding David - As a literalist I agree with Dr John Walvoord who says that a "solution of the problem (THE IDENTITY OF DAVID IN THE MILLENNIUM) is more simple and seemingly in keeping with the prophetic references throughout Scripture, namely, that by David is meant the resurrected David who shares with Christ as prince some of the governmental duties of the millennial kingdom. It should be clear from many Scriptures that the reign of Christ is shared with others. As Newell has written: “David is not the son of David. Christ, as Son of David, will be King; and David, His father after the flesh, will be prince, during the Millennium” (William R. Newell, The Revelation, p. 323). In the light of many prophecies which promise saints the privilege of reigning with Christ, it would seem most logical that David the king raised from the dead should be given a place of prominence in the Davidic kingdom of the millennial reign of Christ. As indicated in Revelation 19:16, Christ is “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” This would certainly imply other rulers (cf. Isa 32:1; Ezek 45:8-9; Matt 19:28; Luke 19:12-27)." (The Doctrine of the Millennium—Part I:The Righteous Government of the Millennium) Restore (turn back, bring back) (07725)(shub/sub) is a verb meaning to turn, to return, to go back, to do again, to change, to withdraw, to bring back, to reestablish, to be returned, to bring back, to take, to restore, to recompense. Captivity (fortunes) (07622) (shebuth from shabah = to take captive but some think it originates from shub = to return, restore) is a feminine noun which has two main meanings in the OT, (1) captivity, captives (esp Nu 21:29 referring to Moab), implying control and oppression and (2) fortunes, assets (primarily possessions, materials, and property though not exclusively so which will make life easier and more secure). One could see how both senses are meant in some passages because to restore someone from captivity is tantamount to bringing them into a place of good fortune. Baker adds that "This word conveys either a state of exile, such as being taken for a spoil of war, or the subjects of such captivity. The chief use was in declaring the liberating power of the Lord in releasing His people from such banishment (Deut. 30:3+; Jer. 33:7+; Hos. 6:11+)." They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine and make gardens and eat their fruit - See quote above from Ezekiel 36:34-35+. An important promise to a country which has always been agrarian. This speaks of the fertility of the land. Amos 9:15 "I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again be rooted out from their land Which I have given them," Says the LORD your God. KJV Amos 9:15 And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God. they will not - Isaiah 60:21; Jeremiah 24:6; 32:41; Ezekiel 34:28; 37:25; Joel 3:20; Micah 4:4 GOD PLANTING OF ISRAEL FIRMLY, FOREVER ROOTED Even the frequently amillennial comments of the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge says on this passage "As the Jews, after their return from Babylon, were driven from their land by the Romans, this can only refer to their future conversion and restoration." (Amen and amen!) Paul speaks of their future conversion in Romans 11:25-27+ For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery–so that you will not be wise in your own estimation–that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved (ALL OF THE 1/3 IN Zechariah 13:8-9+); just as it is written, “THE DELIVERER (SECOND COMING OF MESSIAH) WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.” 27 “THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.” I will also plant them - The redeemed remnant of the nation of Israel will be planted by the sovereign, promise keeping God! “I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will the wicked afflict them any more as formerly, (2 Sa 7:10), Other prophecies describe the Lord's planting of Israel in their land... (Isaiah 60:21) “Then all your people will be righteous; They will possess the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified.