‏ Amos 9

* The ruin of Israel. (1-10) The restoration of the Jews and the

gospel blessing. (11-15)

1-10 The prophet, in vision, saw the Lord standing upon the

idolatrous altar at Bethel. Wherever sinners flee from God's

justice, it will overtake them. Those whom God brings to heaven

by his grace, shall never be cast down; but those who seek to

climb thither by vain confidence in themselves, will be cast

down and filled with shame. That which makes escape impossible

and ruin sure, is, that God will set his eyes upon them for

evil, not for good. Wretched must those be on whom the Lord

looks for evil, and not for good. The Lord would scatter the

Jews, and visit them with calamities, as the corn is shaken in a

sieve; but he would save some from among them. The astonishing

preservation of the Jews as a distinct people, seems here

foretold. If professors make themselves like the world, God will

level them with the world. The sinners who thus flatter

themselves, shall find that their profession will not protect

them. 11-15 Christ died to gather together the children of God that

were scattered abroad, here said to be those who were called by

his name. The Lord saith this, who doeth this, who can do it,

who has determined to do it, the power of whose grace is engaged

for doing it. Verses #13-15| may refer to the early times of

Christianity, but will receive a more glorious fulfilment in the

events which all the prophets more or less foretold, and may be

understood of the happy state when the fulness both of the Jews

and the Gentiles come into the church. Let us continue earnest

in prayer for the fulfilment of these prophecies, in the peace,

purity, and the beauty of the church. God marvellously preserves

his elect amidst the most fearful confusions and miseries. When

all seems desperate, he wonderfully revives his church, and

blesses her with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. And

great shall be the glory of that period, in which not one good

thing promised shall remain unfulfilled.