Possessing the Remnant: Embracing God’s Promise
"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." - Amos 9:12
In the book of Amos, we encounter a prophetic declaration that resonates throughout the ages. Amos 9:12 states, "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." This verse is a powerful reminder of God’s enduring sovereignty and His commitment to redeem and restore His people, not just from Israel but from all nations.
To understand the depth of this promise, we must first recognize who the remnant of Edom represents. Edom, descended from Esau, often symbolizes those who have been alienated and estranged from the family of God. In the days of Amos, Edom was not merely a geographical place but also a metaphor for the nations that opposed God’s chosen people. The prophetic call to possess the remnant of Edom suggests a time when God’s grace would extend beyond the boundaries of Israel to include all who would respond to His call.
This verse challenges us to confront our preconceptions about who belongs to the family of God. We often draw lines of separation based on ethnicity, behavior, or beliefs. Yet, the Lord’s heart is to gather not only the faithful from Israel but also those from the surrounding nations. The phrase "of all the heathen, which are called by my name" is particularly striking. It emphasizes that God’s reach is extensive, inviting those we may consider outsiders to partake in His promises. This radical inclusivity exemplifies the heart of the Gospel.
In a modern context, we are reminded that no one is beyond the redemption of Christ. We live in a world that thrives on division, where labels and categories are often used to create barriers. However, Amos 9:12 challenges us to expand our vision and to see everyone as potential recipients of God’s grace. Are we willing to embody this truth? Are we open to welcoming those who may have been marginalized or estranged from the community of faith?
Moreover, "saith the LORD that doeth this" affirms that it is God who is at work. In our pursuit of inclusivity, we must remember that it is not through our efforts or eloquence that hearts are changed but through God's divine intervention. He is the one who orchestrates the gathering of the remnant, and it is His power that transforms hearts. This should instill in us both humility and boldness. Humility, in acknowledging that we are simply vessels of His grace, and boldness, in proclaiming that grace to all we encounter.
The remnant theme also speaks to the idea of restoration. In the world around us, many may feel that life has stripped them of hope, that they are remnants of a broken past. Yet, God promises not just possession of the remnant but restoration. The promise to possess the remnants speaks to a future where the broken pieces are made whole under God’s gracious hand.
As we meditate on this verse, let us ask ourselves: What remnants have we overlooked? Who in our communities, though seemingly distant from God, cries out for connection and restoration? God’s plan encompasses all, inviting us into His mission of love and redemption.
Finally, the call to possess the remnant of Edom is not solely an external mission. It is also a call to self-reflection. Are we fully possessing our own spiritual inheritance in Christ? Are we acknowledging the past remnants of our own lives that need God’s healing touch? The same God who called the remnants of Edom possesses the power to redeem the remnants of our fractured lives.
In conclusion, Amos 9:12 offers a profound truth that resonates across the ages. God is inviting us to participate in His redemptive work among all nations. Let us engage in this mission wholeheartedly, bringing to Him our own remnants and embracing the call to love and restore others, for we are called by His name.
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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."
"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." - Amos 9:12
amos 3 12
Amos 7:12 - "Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:"
Amos 2:12 - "But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not."
Amos 1:12 - "But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah."
Amos 6:9 - "And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die."
Amos 5:9 - "That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress."
Amos 9:9 - "For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth."
Amos 6:12 - "¶ Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:"
Amos 7:9 - "And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword."
"Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:" - Amos 7:12
Amos 8:12 - "And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it."
Amos 9:13 – "The days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman."
Amos 8:9 - "And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:"
Amos 5:12 - "For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right."
Amos 9:2 - "Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:"
Amos 4:12 - "Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel."
Amos 3:9 - "¶ Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof."
Amos 9:15 - "And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God."
"But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not." - Amos 2:12
Amos 9:4 - "And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good."
Amos 9:11 - "¶ 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:"
Amos 9:8 - "Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD."
Amos 1:9 - "¶ Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:"
"But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah." - Amos 1:12
"And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die." - Amos 6:9
"That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress." - Amos 5:9
Amos 9:13 - "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt."
Amos 9:6 - "It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name."