Our journey through this long tunnel is accomplished, and we have emerged into glorious sunlight. Is this gloriously bright ending to this dark prophecy that unexpected though? None would deny that the book of Amos is full of judgment, yet right from the beginning God has also carefully woven into the prophecy an emphasis upon His faithfulness. We have seen the God whose terrifying roar was heard throughout the land was none other than Yahweh – the God who keeps His covenant and shows His mercy. God remains faithful to the unconditional covenant He first made with Abraham (Gen. 15 and 17), as well as the conditional covenant with Moses affirmed by the Jewish people at Sinai (Exod.19 and 20). It is in the light of these covenant relationships that we understand both the severity of the judgment for violations, and the ultimate salvation of the faithful. So this vision section of the prophecy, which in chapter 7 began with judgment averted, now ends with an eternal promise of judgment finished forever. In these final 5 verses Amos gives us a glorious glimpse of the future salvation of those who have rested securely on the foundation of grace, and thus found themselves plumb with the law.
In this oracle of surpassing beauty, Amos reveals 5 aspects of that glorious day: 1) the revelation of the King, 2) the end of the separation of the nations, 3) the end of the curse upon the earth, 4) the end of the captivity of the people of God, and 5) the final inheritance of an eternal land.
