Prophetic Insights from the Minor Prophets - Obadiah

In this next series of blogs I am going to highlight prophetic insights from my studies of the minor prophets to this point.
The prophet Amos was a contemporary with Isaiah and Hosea. He prophesied of judgment to come upon Israel and the surrounding nations. By the time we reach chapter nine, however, the focus of his message begins looking toward the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom.

Amos 9:9 For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations….

Though there was a dispersion of the people of Israel when Assyria captured the Northern Kingdom and as a result of the Babylonian captivity, this prophecy found fulfillment through Rome’s destruction of the temple in 70AD by the legions of Titus. The Jews were scattered throughout all the nations on earth and faced continued persecution throughout the centuries. Sad to say, much of that persecution has come at the hands of “Christians.”

The next two verses move forward to a time when the house of David, his kingdom, will be restored. This will not happen until the people of Israel have experienced great death and destruction because of their rebellion against and disobedience to God.

Amos 9:10-11 All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us. In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:

This time of death and destruction that precedes the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom will culminate in the 70th week of Daniel, the time of Jacob’s trouble, more commonly known as the tribulation.

Though this seems to be a foolish dream today, God declares through Amos, that He is going to “raise up his ruins,” the ruins of David’s kingdom, and “build it as in the days of old.” This prophecy cannot apply to any time during Israel’s existence as a nation since the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. When Messiah takes the throne of David in the restored Kingdom of Israel, His rule will extend over all the heathen nations as well.

Amos 9:12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.