Exposition of Amos 4-9, Part 6 · Section 11
VERSE 11.
In that day I will raise up the Tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof, and I will raise up his ruines, and I will build it as in the dayes of old.
WEE are now come to the Third and last general part of this Chapter, and that is consolatory, containing many precious Promises concerning the Kingdom of Christ, and the restauration and inlargement of the Church in the dayes of the Messiah.
The Prophet before had been Minatory, terrifying them with many dreadful comminations of desolation and utter ruine, for their Apostasie and rebellion; but now (that his Sun might not set in a Cloud) hee concludes all with most sweet Evangelical consolations, for the refreshing of the remnant of the Elect under those sad Calamities which for many years they lay under. To this end he assures them, that though all at present were in confusion, and the house of David lay in the dust; yet the Lord who usually brings l…ght out of darkness, and comfort out of discomfort, would in the conclusion restore the Kingdom unto Israel, and make up all their losses in a better kind with spiritual blessings.
And this was the frequent practice of the Prophets, to intermixe comforts with their Threatnings; the very first Judgment that was pronounced against fallen man, was allayed with a Promise presently annexed.
1 They used to awaken and humble their Hearers with terrours and threatnings, and then to raise them up again with consolations, especially with the promises of the Messiah, who was the salvation and consolation of Israel, yea the joy and desire of all Nations, Hag. 2.8. in whom all the Promises were ratified and confirmed. 2 Cor. 1.20.
Both Israel and Iudah were falling into a very forlorn, scattered, sad condition; the Prophet therefore to keep the godly amongst them from sinking into utter despair, comforts them with this, that in the midst of judgement God would remember mercy, being ever mindful of his Covenant, and though he punisht them for their transgressions, yet in due time he would send the Messiah with healing under his wings mongst them.
Some goe about to confine this glorious Prophesie to Hezekiahs time, when Senacherib and his Host was slain.
Others refer it to the times when Iudah returned out of their Babylonish Captivity, in the reign of Cyrus King of Persia, when they repaired the ruines of Ierusalem. But the text is clear against this, for those were but poor, sleight, slender restaurations comparatively with this. For 1. but a remnant came out of the Babylonish Captivity, and those poor and low, and farre fewer of Israel returned out of Assyria. But the restauration here spoken of is most ample and glorious, as appears by those high and Hyperbolical expressions of possessing all Nations, and the Mountains dropping wine, and the Hills running with Milk and Honey, and all Israel returning out of Captivity.
It is therefore confest by all (even by some of the Iewes themselves) that these Promises have relation to Christ, and should be fulfilled in Gospel-times, according to that Apostolical allegation, and interpretation of this very Text by Saint Iames in the Synod at Ierusalem, Acts 15.16, 17. After this I will return, and build again the Tabernacle of David which is fallen down; that is, the Church of God, in which Christ the Son of David should dwell and reign, it should be repaired and restored by the Messias, and I will build again the ruines thereof, viz. by planting in it the beleeving Iewes, and bringing in the Gentiles as living stones, in the stead of the unbeleeving Jewes, That the residue of men may seek the Lord; that is not only the Iewes, but all other Nations. The Apostle Iames following the Septuagint speaketh the same sense,See Schools-Guard, Rule 20. and Glassius Philolog. Tract. 2. cap. 7. p. 14 72. For the reconciling the Prophet and the Apostle, see Mr. H…tchinson on Amos 9.11. though not the very same words. The Prophet saith the Gentiles shall be called, and he instanceth in the residue of Edom; but Iames here speaks more generally, and saith, all the Gentiles (which includes Edom) shall seek after the Lord.
In these five last Verses of this Chapter, we have a notable Prophesie of glorious things to come, and a cluster of precious Promises, no lesse than five.
1 Here is a Promise of the restauration of Davids Kingdome.
2 Of the calling of the Gentiles.
3 Of the abundance of Spiritual gifts which should be in Christs Kingdom, typisied by the abundance of Corn and Wine.
4 Of the gathering of the Captives from banishment, into the Kingdom of Christ.
5 Of protection from their enemies, and perpetual habitation in their own Land.