Citing:
— Amos 9:11-12 “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom (Mount Esau) and all the nations who are called by my name,” declares the Lord who does this.
— Jeremiah 12:15 And after I have plucked them up, I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to his heritage and each to his land.
— Isaiah 43:7…everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.
— Jeremiah 14:9 Why should you be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save? Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us.”
— Daniel 9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name..
Rebuild and restore are common themes in the New Testament. Throughout the Bible that is a common theme. For a couple of days this week I’m at the ocean with my daughter and son-in-law and as God so often does He’s made a connection I can see with my own eyes to these passages. Two hurricanes battered this area last fall and as a result of that, the work of rebuilding and restoring what was lost is obvious. The rebuilding is the cosmetic fix but the restoration of what was lost is the ultimate goal.
Acts quotes Amos saying the Lord has said the “remnant of mankind” will include Gentiles He’s called by His name. What is “after this”? Why does Amos refer to “a remnant of Edom? Why do they want that remnant back? What does that word “back” really mean? Why is Acts referencing Amos to explain Gentiles who are called by the Lord’s name? Now Lord read me your truth from the Old Testament written to confirm it’s connection to the New Testament.
I learned two “new” ancient Greek words studying for today. “Ethne” was a name used to refer to Gentiles or nations and “Laos” referred to the “people of God” the name the Jews called themselves. Amos has chosen to use Laos to refer to Gentiles including them as “people of God.” Gentiles who hadn’t become Jews but had remained Gentiles and been called by God’s name way back then in the Old Testament.√ After this? After the “remnant of mankind,” Jews and Gentiles alike have been shaken and sifted to removed their sin, then “I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it. Then they will seek the Lord.√ Edom [Mount Esau] a kingdom thought to be founded by the angry, wronged brother of Jacob. Esau will be restored to complete the restoration of the Kingdon of God.√ And now we come to that word “back.” The word that says it all. God had never had any other plan but for His Kingdom to a) be rebuilt and b) be restored to the perfection He’d created in those first days of Genesis. And finally we have our name the Lord Himself has given us, Christians, followers of Jesus Christ and Daniels plea to make our own — “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name” — who makes these things known from of old” in “this” day.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. ESV
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