The reference is probably not to that tabernacle which was replaced and superseded by the temple of Solomon, but to the house of David. The booth or hut may well serve as an emblem of the depressed state of the Jewish monarchy and people, not simply as they were in the time of Amos, but as the prophet foretold that they should be in days about to come. The language is very expressive, and depicts a restoration very complete. Breaches shall be closed, ruins shall be repaired, the structure shall be rebuilt. The fortunes of the people of David must indeed he dark for a season, but a brighter day shall surely dawn.

I. THE MOST GLORIOUS FULFILMENT OF THIS PROPHECY WAS IN THE ADVENT OF THE DIVINE SON OF DAVID. Jesus was recognized by the people as the descendant and successor of their national hero. They shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" He himself made the claim, only that he asserted that he was not only David's Son, but also David's Lord. Like David, he was "after God's heart;" like David, he sang praises unto God in the midst of the Church; like David, he overcame the enemies of Jehovah and of his people; like David, he reigned over the nation of Israel But unlike David, he was Divine in his nature and faultless in his character; unlike David, he was rather a spiritual than a worldly Conqueror; unlike David, he was King, not over one people, but over all mankind. In Christ the true Israel has found more than the Israel "according to the flesh" lost in David's removal.

II. THE MAIN PROOF OF THIS FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY IS TO BE FOUND IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MESSIAH'S SPIRITUAL KINGDOM. Time has given an interpretation to this language which was impossible beforehand. How truly the house of David has been more than rebuilt, the kingdom of David more than re-established, is apparent to every observer of what has occurred in the Christian centuries. The kingdom of the Redeemer is:

1. Spiritual. In which respect it is more admirable and more glorious than that of David, which was founded upon the sword, and whose sway was over, not the heart, but the outward life.

2. Universal. For whilst David reigned over a strip of Syrian territory, Christ's empire is vast, and is widening year by year. "The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ."

3. Everlasting. The few brief glorious years of David's reign were prophetic of that sway which shall endure forever. Of Christ's kingdom "there shall be no end." - T.

: —Things to take notice of.

1. The designation that the prophet Amos, by God's commission, gives unto the kingdom of Israel. A "sinful kingdom" (ver. 8).

2. An advertisement that the prophet Amos gives unto this sinful kingdom. He says, "The eyes of the Lord are upon it."

3. God's purpose and resolution with reference to the sinful kingdom. "I will destroy it from off the face of the earth."

4. The limitation of the awful sentence. "Saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob."

5. An account of God's management with respect to that remnant. "Yet shall not the least grain fall to the earth."

6. We are told what will become of the chaff. "Shall die by the sword." Now follows another scene: a scene of mercy is opened up in verse 11. Notice —(1) The designation that God gives unto His Church, particularly the New Testament Church. "The tabernacle of David."(2) The present case of the tabernacle of David; it is fallen; there are breaches made in it; it is in a ruinous condition.(3) We have a promise of rebuilding David's tabernacle. "I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old."(4) The time or season when this is to be done. "In that day." Observation. "That God many times ushers in a glorious work of reformation by very cloudy, dark, and dismal dispensations of providence." This is God's ordinary way of working, both towards particular persons and particular Churches. Illustrate by God's planting a Church for Himself in the land of Canaan. The return of the children of Israel from Babylonish captivity. The times of Constantine. The revival of the Church upon the downfall of Antichrist. Why is it that God goes to work in this way?

1. That He may be avenged on the persecutors and enemies of His Church and people.

2. That He may remove the abounding offences in the visible Church, and roll away the impediments that hinder her reformation.

3. And there is something godlike, greatlike, and majestic in this manner of procedure. There is something admirable in this way of working in respect of God Himself; in respect of religion itself. In respect of the people of God, and the effect that this way of working has upon them. Doctrine. That God has His own time and way of rebuilding or reforming His Church, when she is brought to a very low and ruinous condition.

I. WHY THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS REPRESENTED UNDER THE NAME AND NOTION OF THE "TABERNACLE OF DAVID." There is evident allusion to the tabernacle which, by God's special command unto Moses, was reared in the wilderness.

1. The tabernacle was God's lodging and habitation in the camp of Israel, a symbol of God's gracious presence among them.

2. The Divine oracles, the law and the testimony, were preserved and kept in the tabernacle, and from thence they were given out for the use of Israel. So to the Church pertain the oracles of God; His revealed mind and will in the Scriptures of truth is committed to her trust.

3. The tabernacle was the place of worship. So the Church of Christ is the place where He will be worshipped and sanctified of all that are about Him.

4. The pattern of the tabernacle was given by God unto Moses in the mount. So the model of the Church, with a perfect system of laws, by which she is to be governed, is given of God in the mount of revelation.

5. No man was to intrude himself into the service of the tabernacle. So, in the New Testament Church, no man is to intrude himself into the sacred offices of the Church, without he is qualified and called of God unto that work.

6. The greatest and most sacred thing in the tabernacle was the ark and mercy-seat. And it is the great business of ministers of the Gospel, now under the New Testament, to disclose or open the ark of the covenant of grace, to preach Christ.

7. The ark was a portable or movable kind of tent. In like manner the Church of God, while in this world, is not fixed to any particular nation.

II. WHEN MAY THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID BE SAID TO BE FALLEN, BROKEN, AND RUINOUS?

1. When the God of the tabernacle is departed.

2. When the oracles of God are not carefully kept and purely dispensed.

3. When the God of the tabernacle is not worshipped according to His appointment.

4. When it is not kept according to the pattern in the mount.

5. When men are entered upon tabernacle service, without being called, qualified, and sanctified for such service.

III. HOW IS IT THAT GOD RAISES UP HIS TABERNACLE WHEN IT IS FALLEN?

1. In a time of defection He raises up witnesses to bear testimony against the corruptions and mismanagements of men about His tabernacle.

2. The Lord puts it in the hearts of His people and ministers to take pleasure in the stones and rubbish of His fallen tabernacle, and to mourn and lament over their own sins and the tokens of the Lord's anger that have gone out against them.

3. The Lord polishes and prepares some for tabernacle work and service, as He did Bezaleel and Aholiab.

4. His tabernacle is raised up by a plentiful downpouring of the Spirit.

5. Sometimes He inspires great men, kings, and nobles, to espouse the cause of His fallen tabernacle.

6. Sometimes He rears up His fallen tabernacle in the very blood and sufferings of His witnesses.

IV. OFFER SOME THOUGHTS ANENT THE TIME OR DAY OF THE LORD'S BUILDING UP THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID.

1. It is a time which God hath kept in His own power, and therefore we should beware of diving with too much curiosity into it.

2. When men think the time at hand, and their expectations are big, things frequently take another turn, and defeat all their hopes for that season.

3. God's time of building up His tabernacle is commonly when things axe brought to the last extremity.

4. God's time is a day of vengeance and vexation unto the wicked and ungodly world.

5. Yet is it a day of joy and gladness to all Zion's friends and well-wishers.In order to the successful building of the broken and fallen tabernacle of David.

1. It is necessary that every one of us prepare a habitation for the mighty God of Jacob in our hearts.

2. That we be well acquainted with the pattern showed in the mount, particularly of the New Testament revelation.

3. That, like Elijah, we be "very zealous for the Lord God of hosts."

4. We need to count the cost; to reckon what tabernacle work may cost.

5. Sympathise with and help all ministers or Christians who are endeavouring honestly, in their spheres, to build up the tabernacle of God.

(E. Erksine.)