"For surely I will give the command, and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations as grain is sifted in a sieve; but not a pebble will reach the ground. For surely I will give the commandThis phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and authority of God. In the biblical context, God often issues commands that demonstrate His control over nations and history. This reflects the prophetic nature of Amos, where God speaks through the prophet to declare His intentions. The certainty of God's command underscores His role as the ultimate judge and ruler. and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations
The imagery of shaking suggests a process of judgment and purification. Historically, the house of Israel faced dispersion and exile, notably during the Assyrian conquest. This scattering among the nations serves as both a punishment for disobedience and a means of refining the people. The shaking can be seen as a metaphor for trials that test and purify faith, similar to the refining of metals. as grain is sifted in a sieve
Sifting grain involves separating the valuable from the worthless. This process symbolizes God's discernment in distinguishing the faithful from the unfaithful within Israel. The agricultural metaphor would resonate with an agrarian society familiar with the practice of sifting. It also connects to other biblical themes of separation, such as the wheat and the chaff in Matthew 3:12. but not a pebble will reach the ground
This phrase indicates God's meticulous care and precision in His judgment. Despite the shaking and sifting, God ensures that nothing of value is lost. The pebble represents the faithful remnant of Israel, preserved through trials. This assurance of preservation aligns with the biblical theme of a remnant, seen in passages like Isaiah 10:20-22, where a faithful group is saved despite widespread judgment. Persons / Places / Events 1. AmosA prophet from the southern kingdom of Judah, called by God to deliver messages to the northern kingdom of Israel. His prophecies often focus on social justice and divine judgment. 2. House of IsraelRefers to the northern kingdom of Israel, which was often characterized by idolatry and injustice during Amos's time. 3. NationsThe surrounding nations among whom Israel would be scattered. This scattering is a result of God's judgment due to Israel's unfaithfulness. 4. SieveA tool used for separating finer particles from coarser ones. In this context, it symbolizes God's process of judgment and purification. 5. PebbleRepresents the remnant or those who remain faithful and are preserved through God's judgment. Teaching Points Divine Judgment and PurificationGod's judgment is not arbitrary but serves a purpose of purification. Just as a sieve separates the good from the bad, God's judgment aims to refine and purify His people. Faithfulness Amidst JudgmentThe imagery of the pebble not falling to the ground assures us that God preserves those who remain faithful. In times of trial, our faithfulness is both tested and refined. God's SovereigntyThe passage underscores God's control over nations and His ability to execute His will. Believers can trust in God's sovereign plan, even when it involves difficult circumstances. Call to RepentanceUnderstanding the certainty of God's judgment should lead us to repentance and a renewed commitment to live according to His ways. Hope for the RemnantDespite the severity of judgment, there is hope for a remnant. God always preserves a faithful group who will carry forward His purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of a sieve help us understand God's process of judgment and purification in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are like the "pebble" that does not fall to the ground during times of trial and testing? 3. How does the concept of God shaking the nations challenge or encourage your understanding of current world events? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to remain faithful amidst the "shaking" that occurs in our personal lives or communities? 5. How do the themes of judgment and preservation in Amos 9:9 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 30:28This verse also uses the imagery of a sieve to describe God's judgment, emphasizing the thoroughness of His purification process. Matthew 3:12John the Baptist speaks of Jesus using a winnowing fork to separate the wheat from the chaff, illustrating a similar theme of judgment and separation. Hebrews 12:27Discusses the shaking of things that can be shaken, so that what cannot be shaken may remain, echoing the idea of divine purification and preservation. People Amos, Aram, Assyrians, Cushites, David, Ethiopians, Jacob, SyriansPlaces Caphtor, Carmel, Edom, Egypt, Kir, Nile RiverTopics Behold, Command, Commanding, Corn, Dropped, Fall, Falleth, Fro, Grain, Ground, Kernel, Least, Moved, Nations, Orders, Pebble, Reach, Seed, Shake, Shaken, Shakes, Shaketh, Shaking, Sieve, Sift, Sifted, Smallest, Tray, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Amos 9:9 5530 sifting Amos 9:7-9 7216 exile, in Assyria Amos 9:8-10 4324 dross Library A Revival Sermon
But, my dear friends, while this promise will doubtless be carried out, and every word of it shall be verified, so that the hill-tops of that country shall again bear the vine, and the land shall flow with wine, yet, I take it, this is more fully a spiritual than a temporal promise; and I think that the beginning of its fulfilment is now to be discerned, and we shall see the Lord's good hand upon us, so that is ploughman shall overtake the reaper, the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all he hills …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860The Prophecy of Obadiah.
We need not enter into details regarding the question as to the time when the prophet wrote. By a thorough argumentation, Caspari has proved, that he occupies his right position in the Canon, and hence belongs to the earliest age of written prophecy, i.e., to the time of Jeroboam II. and Uzziah. As bearing conclusively against those who would assign to him a far later date, viz., the time of the exile, there is not only the indirect testimony borne by the place which this prophecy occupies in …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Letter ix. Meditation.
"Meditate upon these things."--1 TIM. 4:15. MY DEAR SISTER: The subject of this letter is intimately connected with that of the last; and in proportion to your faithfulness in the duty now under consideration, will be your interest in the word and worship of God. Religious meditation is a serious, devout and practical thinking of divine things; a duty enjoined in Scripture, both by precept and example; and concerning which, let us observe, 1. Its importance. That God has required it, ought to …
Harvey Newcomb—A Practical Directory for Young Christian Females The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Interpretation of Prophecy.
1. The scriptural idea of prophecy is widely removed from that of human foresight and presentiment. It is that of a revelation made by the Holy Spirit respecting the future, always in the interest of God's kingdom. It is no part of the plan of prophecy to gratify vain curiosity respecting "the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts 1:7. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God"--this is its key-note. In its form it is carefully adapted to this great end. …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Power of God
The next attribute is God's power. Job 9:19. If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong.' In this chapter is a magnificent description of God's power. Lo, he is strong.' The Hebrew word for strong signifies a conquering, prevailing strength. He is strong.' The superlative degree is intended here; viz., He is most strong. He is called El-shaddai, God almighty. Gen 17:7. His almightiness lies in this, that he can do whatever is feasible. Divines distinguish between authority and power. God has both. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Doctrine of the Last Things.
A. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. B. THE RESURRECTION. C. THE JUDGMENT. D. THE DESTINY OF THE WICKED. E. THE REWARD OF THE RIGHTEOUS. THE DOCTRINE OF THE LAST THINGS. Under this caption are treated such doctrines as the Second Coming of Christ, the Resurrection of both the righteous and wicked, the Judgments, Final Awards, and Eternal Destiny. A. THE SECOND COMING OF CHEIST. I. ITS IMPORTANCE. 1. PROMINENCE IN THE SCRIPTURES. 2. THE CHRISTIAN HOPE. 3. THE CHRISTIAN INCENTIVE. 4. THE CHRISTIAN COMFORT. …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible Baptism
Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them,' &c. Matt 28: 19. I. The way whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemptions, is, in the use of the sacraments. What are the sacraments in general? They are visible signs of invisible grace. Is not the word of God sufficient to salvation? What need then is there of sacraments? We must not be wise above what is written. It is God's will that his church …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Links Amos 9:9 NIVAmos 9:9 NLTAmos 9:9 ESVAmos 9:9 NASBAmos 9:9 KJV
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