hope and editing

Good morning friends,
Our reading today draws the Book of Amos to a close. You'll notice an abrupt change of tone in this reading, though there were hints of the same hopefulness yesterday. Most scholars believe that these passages of renewal were added to Amos later rather than being part of the original book. This is for a few reasons, most of all because the style is so out of synch with the rest of the book, but also because today's words make much more sense written in exile rather than during Amos's prosperous era.

Sometimes it's challenging to face the seams and inconsistencies in the biblical text. At the same time we believe that God speaks through the Bible by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was active in inspiring the original writers of the text, imperfect and diverse as they were, and the Spirit is active in our hearts as we read today. Scripture is no less sacred because it is complicated, and God is not finished speaking to us through the Bible today. These words of hope probably didn't come from Amos's pen, but they are still God's word for us today.

God bless,
Sam

Amos 9:11-15
11On 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; 12in order that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name, says the Lord who does this.

13The time is surely coming, says the Lord, when the one who plows shall overtake the one who reaps, and the treader of grapes the one who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. 14I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. 15I will plant them upon their land, and they shall never again be plucked up out of the land that I have given them, says the Lord your God.