Question 1

What does it mean that the Lord is standing upon the altar?

Accepted Answer

The picture of the Lord standing on the altar shows that God has moved from receiving worship to bringing judgment. The altar was the place where sacrifices were offered for sin, but now God stands there as a judge, not as one being approached for mercy. He commands that the structure be struck so hard that the building shakes and the people are crushed. This means that their outward worship cannot cover their ongoing sin. Their religion has become empty, so God himself brings it to an end.

Question 2

Why does the passage say no one can escape God’s judgment?

Accepted Answer

The passage lists extreme places people might try to hide: digging into the depths, climbing up to the heavens, hiding on Mount Carmel, sinking to the bottom of the sea, or even going into captivity among enemies. In every case, God says he will reach them. He can command the sea, the serpent, and the sword. This shows that God is present everywhere and rules over all things. People cannot run from him or hide their sin. The only hope is to turn back to him, not to flee from him.

Question 3

What is meant by God sifting the house of Israel like grain?

Accepted Answer

The picture of sifting grain in a sieve shows God shaking his people among the nations. The chaff and dust fall through, but the good grain is kept. In the same way, God says he will scatter Israel, judge the sinners who feel safe in their sin, yet not lose even the smallest of those who truly belong to him. His eyes are on the sinful kingdom to destroy it, but he will not completely wipe out the house of Jacob. Judgment and mercy run together in this picture.

Question 4

Who are the sinners that say, “The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us”?

Accepted Answer

These are people among God’s own nation who feel safe while living in sin. They assume that trouble will not reach them, perhaps because they belong to Israel, go to the temple, or share in religious life. They treat God’s patience as if it were approval. The passage shows how empty that hope is. God says all such sinners among his people will die by the sword. Being outwardly among God’s people does not protect anyone who refuses to repent and keeps walking in rebellion.

Question 5

What is the fallen tabernacle of David that God will raise up?

Accepted Answer

The fallen shelter or tabernacle of David pictures the broken royal line and kingdom that came from David. Because of sin, that house was torn down, and the kingdom was divided and weakened. God promises that one day he will raise it again, repair its gaps, and rebuild its ruins so it is like it was in earlier days. This points to the coming of a king from David’s line who will gather a restored people and bring lasting rule and blessing under God.

Question 6

How will other nations be involved in this promised restoration?

Accepted Answer

The passage says God’s people will possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that are called by his name. This means that those who were once enemies, like Edom, and other peoples will come under God’s rule and be joined to his people. They are described as being called by his name, showing they now belong to him. So the future rebuilding of David’s shelter is not only for Israel, but also reaches out to people from other nations who turn to the Lord.

Question 7

What does the picture of the plowman overtaking the reaper mean?

Accepted Answer

This picture shows extreme fruitfulness. Normally you reap at one time of year and plow and sow at another. Here the harvest is so large and the season of blessing so full that the one plowing to plant the next crop catches up with the one still bringing in the last harvest. The hills dripping with sweet wine and the mountains overflowing show that, after judgment and exile, God plans a future of rich blessing, peace, and settled life for his restored people in their land.

Question 8

Why does God compare Israel to the children of the Ethiopians?

Accepted Answer

God asks, “Are you not as children of the Ethiopians to me?” to shake Israel out of their false sense of privilege. They assumed that being Israel made them safe, no matter how they lived. God reminds them that he also brought other nations out of distant lands, like the Philistines from Caphtor and the Syrians from Kir. All nations are under his rule. If Israel lives in the same sins as others, they cannot claim special treatment. God’s favor is not a shield for ongoing rebellion.

Question 9

How can this passage about judgment and restoration apply today?

Accepted Answer

This passage warns against trusting in outward religion or heritage while the heart stays far from God. No title, group, or place can hide ongoing sin from him. He sees and can reach us anywhere. At the same time, the promise to raise up David’s fallen shelter and to keep every grain in the sieve points to his care for those who truly belong to him. Today, it calls us to honest repentance, to trust the promised king from David’s line, and to rest in God’s power to both correct and restore.

Amos 9:1

I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.

The Destruction of Israel

A Promise of Restoration

The Destruction of Israel

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Amos 9:1

I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.

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The Destruction of Israel

A Promise of Restoration

The Destruction of Israel

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