Some seeds require fire, did you know? Scientists call them “serotinous cones.” That’s a fancy way of saying that some plants, like the lodgepole pine, seal their seeds in a tiny fortress, made impenetrable with sap. In an article by Melissa Petruzzello called “Playing with Wildfire,” she shares how their cones can only open after the heat of a fire melts the resin that protects them.
No fire? No life.
So it often is with the wrath of God. The final chapter of Amos records a terrifying vision. Earthquake. Sword. Captivity. Death.
The Lord, the GOD of Armies—
he touches the earth;
it melts, and all who dwell in it mourn.
—Amos 9:5
Picture the whole earth melting. Imagine the forest fire of grief caused by seeing our sin as the disaster it is. What can withstand the fiery heat of God’s righteous judgment? Only one thing can. Even as God’s anger engulfed the nation of Israel, there was hope—there is always hope.
However, I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob—
This is the LORD’s declaration.
—Amos 9:8
Lodgepole pines have another unique characteristic. Petruzzello shares that they are frequently the only trees growing in infertile soil. Disease or disaster doesn’t deter them. Their fire-tested seed mechanism can bring life, even where the stench of death still lingers.
Isn’t that like God? Telling the story of His intent through the world He has made.
God’s just anger is never futile. It is accomplishing something. Restoration. Repair. Rebuilding (v. 11).
Wherever there is sin, there must be judgment. The holiness of God demands it. Still, the book of Amos doesn’t end with a snapshot of a scorched earth. With the smell of smoke still on his clothes, the prophet stood among the ashes and declared, “Look, the days are coming—this is the LORD’s declaration—when the plowman will overtake the reaper and the one who treads grapes, the sower of seed. The mountains will drip with sweet wine, and all the hills will flow with it” (v. 13).
Sinful rebellion did not end in Amos’s day nor will the consequences. But take heart, sinner. Jesus made a way for your story to parallel the remnant of Amos’s day. Because God is good, hope is always on the horizon. Because He is gracious, the heat of His judgment releases something remarkable: Jesus bore God’s judgment for both the remnant then and believers now. Redemption.
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40 thoughts on "The Hope of Future Restoration"
Wow, what an incredible study of a book of the Bible I had never read before. Thank you for encouraging me in my walk with the Lord!
This is my second study with SRT and wow! Praise God for faithful servants!
TERESA – this is a great analogy! I too have a young toddler who passionately hates having her diaper changed. I will think about this every time I change her diaper now.
I did not think I’d love reading Amos this much. It jad been a very long time and I am so grateful for the reminder of God’s righteousness, holiness, and above all justice, metcy amd grace.
❤️
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12 like a robe you will roll them up,
like a garment they will be changed.
But you are the same,
and your years will have no end.” – Hebrews 1:12
❤️
@Sarah D praying for your decision and that you can come to one that feels best! Happy Friday ladies!
I have to admit this reading of Amos has been hard for me. I completed the study for lent and God’s judgment was so heavy in that study. Going into summer I wanted to read something more light hearted, but God’s judgment is something I can’t run from. His judgment is a part of his character just as much as his love and holiness are. I love how this study ends, worth God’s promise of redemption and restoration.
Thank you for this Bible Study,when I look around at this present age.The word of God comfort me and gives me hope.
I heard about the seeds of some evergreen trees in wild forests being multiplied only through fire. And the fire will burn up the old trees that are still standing but indeed just dead woods taking up space. It’s an amazing program how new seedlings are made as old ones get cleaned up. Wildfire has a twofold purpose. The imagery of the seed reminds me of the “incorruptible seed” that is deposited inside of us. And God is a consuming fire that will burn the outward covering to release the seed. May we be calm as the fire comes, knowing it’s not to kill us but to release something within us.
@HEIDI and @THERESA: praying for your passports and travel grace.
@MARI: praying for your easy adjustments at work.
@RHONDA: I hope you will have a wonderful family time. It was very bold of the man to stand and yell repent, often times people look at it as crazy. I have seen street evangelists that did that during a Pride parade. My own family too telling me the same that I am crazy (through indirect words), but when they go through calamity, I am the one they come to first for prayers and counsel. Ha! It bothers me at first but being the light of God has an attraction to it, there is a purity and power that is on us, there is beauty in being righteous and clean, and that’s why people of the world envies and would try to tear us down. The light in us bothers the demons in them. Let us not be weary in doing good. “Repentance is good thing”, that’s what I would say if I was in your shoes :)
Have a lovely weekend.
Be blessed dear she’s.
This was an important study for me, reminding me that God does forgive my sins, and if there is  hope after the dark times
I didn’t realize the book of Amos was so exciting!!! I discovered the 6 most terrifying words in the Bible in chapter 4:12,”Israel, prepare to meet your God!” I enjoyed this study, and every study so far, very much. On to the next!
You have loved righteousness
and hated lawlessness;
this is why God, your God,
has anointed you
with the oil of joy
beyond your companions. – Hebrews 1:9
This brought tears to my eyes! Yes, Lord! Thank you for joy in dark times. Thank you for the promise of heaven.
You have loved righteousness
and hated lawlessness;
this is why God, your God,
has anointed you
with the oil of joy
beyond your companions. – Hebrews 1:9
I love how the Lord always promises redemption. I’m sow grateful to have a God who will never leave or fore sake us.
So thankful and blessed for HIS redemption!! Happy Friday sweet She’s! LAST Day of school today! However, I work year-round. I’m grateful I have a job. I admit, sometimes I wish I had the summer off just like the teachers. But I’m grateful for my job. Major changes are coming. Please pray that I will adjust.
Grateful to be reminded that God is still on the throne even when sun is rampant. Thankful for his mercy and grace each day❤️
It doesn’t matter where we go or how we try to hide.. God sees us. Knows our hearts and wants relationship with us. When we suffer God is not absent. He is pruning us to bring about our redemption and give us life!
I have in my Bible brackets around Psalm 103:8-12, With a “Halleluja!!” and a “praise God!” Praising God this morning that He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love…and does not treat us as our sins deserve! Where would we be if it wasn’t for the love of God?!
These 2 weeks went by so fast! It was good to revisit the book of Amos, which I’ve read at some point. I am always amazed that no matter how many times we read the Bible there is always something new to learn, and more ways to grow in our walk. Looking forward as always to the new study.
Remembering to pray for all your requests that I’ve seen – and those I haven’t (because God sees & knows them all) @Heidi, @Sarah D, @Rhonda, @Theresa, @Tricia.
Enjoy your Friday ladies!
Amen
This study flew by!! I have a few- couple from the first week and a couple from this that I need to go back through… I’ve missed the content and also your comments and requests :( Trying to find a new schedule to set time for all of this.
Our passport appointment is set for first thing Monday morning and our flight is Monday afternoon. So? Either God wants to show this trip is His and He will orchestrate the timing, or He doesn’t find good in our going right now and it will be postponed. We want 1 thing over all and that is to be in His will. It will be disappointing should the Europe plan change but we have no desire to go if He isn’t guiding and providing the entire time. THERESA – I hope you all get what you need in a timely way!! It really is a sad state when a country as resourced as ours is failing so miserably in this task of issuing timely passports… So, once again, we will see what happens!!! ❤️
RHONDA- praying for your time with family to be encouraging and for understanding of what is in your husband’s heart that is causing him, and in turn you, such pain…
SARAH D- love that you have options now!! It brings such a relief from just feeling stuck and forced into a position when you feel you have the space to make some choices on your own!! :)
One of my favorite studies over the last four years! ❤️
Amos was a great study. May I become a life giving presence. I want my life to align with God’s heavenly priorities. To pursue God, to establish justice, to reject sin and not the sinner. To forgive as I have been forgiven. I want to encourage others that I come across in my life. Seek God and live! Love to all you she’s!
RHONDA – You know you are in my prayers!
So thankful for God’s redemption!
What a good and challenging study, now I know Amos! It kinda reminds me of once when we had company down visiting us and we were walking down the beach and there was a man with a big sign that read “REPENT” and he was loudly yelling “homosexuality is a sin, repent.” The grandkids inquired of this and the non-christian dad replied, “he’s just a nut, probably on drugs.” I was unable to speak up. The man is certainly spot on, we must repent and quit accepting and living in outright sin. But instead he is the crazy man for being the messenger. Is this how Amos seemed? How DO we cry out God’s call to repent, and to turn back to him? (without coming across as crazy?) Things I ponder. I half wanted to go to the crazy guy and say I commend you, but is it the best way? Perhaps it is? There sure are asleep people and not privy to God’s judgement.
Praying for your requests! I have my dear sister (and husband) (and 2, maybe 3 adult kids) (1 great-niece toddler) (and a dog and another in toll….. sang as 12 days of Christmas..! ) in my small little house,(still damaged and being put back together from the hurricane!) and my own dog (that doesn’t like her non-friendly dogs!!) (and a still mad spouse) Please Pray! haha! I am so excited they are here, yet it will be challenging!
He will restore us and our fortunes.. I’m holding onto that ❤️
Thank Jesusx
Praying for you all! Thankful for Christ and the hope we have in him.
Thank you again for yours prayers. I have some decisions to make about my job…I have a couple different options at my current job if I were to stay, and then I am waiting to hear back about an elementary teaching aide position at another school. Praying the Lord would guide me to where he wants me to go.
Psalm 139:
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,for darkness is as light to you.
Thanks, SRT, and devoted writers for another excellent dive into God’s Word! This community is the best and I am so blessed to be a part of it.
You SHES encourage me every day! Thanks for taking time to share!
Have a restful and relaxed weekend! Continued prayers!
This was such a wonderful study! There is hope after we deal with our sin and rebellion. I am so thankful that He will always be a God who desires our redemption and reconciliation with Him and each other.
Amen sisters ❤️
I’m so thankful that God doesn’t end our story with his judgement. He is always working to restore and redeem. He loves us too much to leave us in our sin. I think about this often while I’m changing my daughter’s dirty diaper (weird, right?) She’s at the age where she doesn’t want to stop and let me change her, even though she desperately needs it and is uncomfortable. To leave her in the diaper, would be cruel and cause her even greater pain with a bad rash. So I pin her down and clean her up, even though she fights me, telling her the whole time that I love her and this is an important part of taking care of her. It makes me think about how often I fight God’s work in my own life. The sin I’m sitting in is hurting me but still I fight him when he is helping clean me up. Thank you God for continuing to love me enough to not leave me the way you found me! Thank you for your refining fire and for sometimes holding me down, so to speak, and cleaning me up despite my protest.
No updates on the passport for my husband yet. Thank you, ladies for all the prayers.
HEIDI – praying for your passports to come through as well!
Wow, what a study! Thank you SRT team for curating the book of Amos – so much to learn, think, pray, and be renewed by the words these last two weeks!♥️
“1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets.” This verse, Hebrews 1:1, stuck with me because goodness, God truly gave Israel so many chances to change their ways and they just turned their back on God. I wonder what books will say about us. How God gave us many chances and we as a human race, turned from him. So thankful this morning, and every morning, that we have the living Word to always go back to and learn.
Wow— has it already been two weeks? Thank you SRT team for this study. I have never read Amos, but I am so glad you took us on a deeper dive of this prophet. What I find find interesting is that this book is so short yet it has had a huge impact on me. I truly loved this study.
The Lord GOD – enduring word commentary points out that Amos used this title 12 times in Amos 7 – 9, and that it translates literally as My Master Yahweh. May we not forget, as the children of Israel did, that ultimately He is and will always be Lord and Master of all.
Amos speaks the Lord’s promises of judgment, and follows up with the Lord’s promises of restoration and hope – including those of us who are Gentiles “all the Gentiles who are call by My name” in vs 12.
I do the same thing as others who commented about reading the Bible but not really or fully taking it in. If I read it out loud, seeing it and hearing it sometimes helps. And for me, at times it feels like there is more covered in one day than I can digest. Even with the weekends “off” and not covering new material, I sometimes want to put the brakes on.
GRAMSIESUE – good to see you, thankful Steve is doing well. And I hear you about the driving :/
MOLLY R – thankful for the contract, praying for wisdom and guidance through the process
TRICIA CAVANAUGH – praying for peace in your heart as you model God’s love and for your children to know and love Jesus.
Praying for those passports – HEIDI and THERESA
❤️”No fire No life” ❤️
The Lord prunes His people so there is fruitful growth in the next season.
He is determined to have a holy people that reflects His glory. Thsnk You, Lord that You do not give up on us, but are faithful to see us through the total refining process (fire).