I. lT ROBE FROM THE HUMDLEBT CONDITION, "In that day will I raise up tlu tabomncle of Dnvid that is fallen." "'l.'he fallen hut of David" (Delitz~ch). Not th1 magnificent palnce of David. which the monRrch built for himself on Mount Zion (2 Sam. v. 11). "It is striking that Amos, prophesying in Israel, closes with a promise, not to the ten tribes primarily, but to the royal house of David, and to Israel only through its restoration. Strange comment on human greatness, that the royal line wae.. not to be employed in the Aalvation of the world until it was fallen. The royal palace had to become the hut of Nazareth ere the Redeemer of the world could be born, whose glory and kingdom were not of this world, . . . who came to take from us nothing but our nature that he might sanctify it, our misery that he might bear it for us n (Pusey). Ay, this true moral theocracy had in truth a humble origin I Ha Fuunder, who was he? 'l.'he Son of a poor Jewish peasant, who commenced his life in a stable. Its first apostles, who were they? They were amongst the poorest of the poor. In it,; origin, indeed, its symbols are the little stone, the grain of mustard seed, and the few particles of leaven. II. HEATHENS A.BE SUBJECT TO ITS AUTHORITY. "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." The old theocracy was confined to the Jews; this one, this moral theocracy, is to extend to the heathen. Even Edom-the old and inveterate foe of the theocratic people, who may be regarded as the representative of the whole heathe,1 world-is to be subjected. to it. It shall "inherit the Gentiles." It is to have the heathen for its inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for its possession. 'l'he Bible assures us, in language most explicit and of frequent occurrence, that the time will come when from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same his Name-that is, the Name of this great moral King, Christ-shall be great among the Gentiles. Or, in the language of Daniel, "When the kingdom and doininion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of th" saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominious shall serve and obey him " (Dan. vii. 27). IIL ABUNDANT MATERIAL rnov1s10Ns WILL ATTEND IT. "B~hold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the ploughman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth se&l ; and the I:lountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt." "'l'he metaphorical language here employed is at once in the highest degree bold and pleasing. 'fhe Hebrews we.re accustomed to construct terraces on the sides of the mountains and other elevations, on which they planted vines. Of this fact the prophet avails himself, and represents the immense abundance of the produce to be i;uch that the eminences themselves would appear to be converted into the juice of the grape." Just as this moral theocracy extends, pauperism will vanish. With the kingdom of God and his righteousness all necessary material good comes. " Godliness is profitable unto all things." Let this theocracy, which means the reign in human heart:1 of Christliness, extend, and the earth " shall yield her increase, and God, even our owu God, shall bless us." IV. LOST PBIVILEGEB ARE RESTORED AB IT ADVANCES. "I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them." Three blessings, which man bas lost througli. depravity, are here indicated. 1. Freedom. "I will bring again the captivity," or rather," I will reverse the captivity," give them liberty. Man in a state of depravity ill a slave-a slave to lust, worldliness, etc. '!'his moral theocracy ensures freedom to all its subjects. "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John viii. 32). 2. Prosperity. " Shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them ; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof." One of the sad evils connected with man',i fallen depravity is that he does not reap the reward of his labours. He builds cities and plants vineyards and makes gardens for others. 'l'hrough the reign of social injustice he is prevented from enjoying the produce of his honest labours. Under this theocracy it will not be so. What a man produces he will hoid and enjoy as his own. 3. Settledness. "I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulle,i up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God." Unregenerate man has evel' been restless, homeless, uu.settlcd. Ile stao.ds o.ot oo. a rock, but rnthcr 100 THE BOOK OF AMOS. [CB, IX, 1--15.
on ple.nks floating on surging waters; he is never at rest. All the subjects of the true theocracy are established. "God is their Reruge and Strength." CoNOLUSION. Let us have faith in this predicted future of the world. This faith can alone sustain us in our arduous work; this faith has ever been the nerve of all lhe great men who have toiled for the world's good. "Poet and seer that question caught Above the din of life's fears and fret.a; It me.robed with letters, it toiled with thought, Through schools and creeds whioh the earth forgets. .And statesmen trifle and priests deceive, And traders barter our world away; Yet hearts to the golden promise cleave, .And still at times • Is it oome? ' they say. " The days of the nations bear no trace 0 f all the sunshine so far foretold; The oe.nnon speaks in the teacher's plo.oe, The age is weary with work and gold ; And high hopes wither, and memories wane. On hearths and altars the fires are dead : .But that brave fa.ith bath not lived in vain, And this is all that OW' watoher said.'' (Frances Brown.) D.T. HOMILETICAL INDEX TO
THE BOOK OF AMOS.