Gilbert House Fellowship

THE DESTRUCTION of Israel is a theme throughout the book of Amos, but it ends with a prophecy of restoration. The northern kingdom of Israel had engaged in idolatry since the time of Jeroboam, who split the kingdom of Solomon about 200 years before the time of Amos. For this, and for the treatment of the poor by Israel's elites, God decreed the destruction of the kingdom. This was to be fulfilled more than once – first, when Assyria destroyed the northern kingdom in 722 BC; and second, when the Romans scattered the Jews after the rebellion of Simon bar Kokhba in 136 AD. And yet, God told Amos a day would come when the Lord would restore Israel to the land. The reference to "the booth of David" must include the southern kingdom of Judah, since that was where the descendants of David ruled. This was fulfilled in 1948. We believe the prophet Ezekiel also saw this (Ezekiel 36:22–24). And God made it clear to Ezekiel that the restoration of Israel was not due to the righteousness of the people, but for His Name