The reaper overtaken by the plowman

The reaper overtaken by the plowman

Scripture: “In that day “I will restore David’s fallen shelter— I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins— and will rebuild it as it used to be, so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name may seek Me,” declares the LORD, who will do these things.

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills, and I will bring my people Israel back from exile. “They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the LORD your God. Amos 9:11-15

Observation: This Scripture from Amos is the beginning of prophecy fulfilled before our eyes. For almost 2,000 years, there was no such country as Israel. Since the Romans destroyed the temple of Jerusalem, the Jews were scattered all over the world for centuries. In spite of their various geographical locations, they maintained their identity and preserved the Old Testament that we now have in the first part our Bible today. After World War II, Jews started coming back to Israel from all over the world and declared the independence of Israel in 1948. Despite severe resistance from the Arabs, Israel prevailed and established herself. Over the decades, despite inheriting a dry and barren land, the Jews have now built a network of irrigation systems that has made the land fertile and fruitful. As the Scripture in Amos prophesied, ruined cities were rebuilt, and more and more Jews have returned to Israel.

The description of the reaper being overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes give us the picture of abundant, overflowing blessing. A similar picture would be when Jesus asked the fishermen to let down their nets and the catch was so great the nets began to break.

In this Scripture we are reminded of three main things. Firstly, God is a God of restoration. He loves to restore, to bring back the years that the locusts have eaten, to bring sinful man back into relationship with Himself. Some of us may feel that we have lost so much in life. God can restore life and meaning to us, if only we turn to Him.

Secondly, God is the God of past, present and future. The fulfillment of prophecy in the Bible shows us that God is in control of all history, even what is yet to happen. We are bound by time and space, but God is timeless, infinite, without borders. What a great God we have indeed!

Thirdly, God is the God of abundant blessing. He loves to bless His people with overflowing abundance. To those who trust Him, who fear Him, who obey Him, He will bless with abundant grace.

Application: Some of us may feel let down in life, bogged down by regrets and complaints. Stop! Turn to God! He is the God who restores, who can bring us back to the life of hope and love and promise that should be ours. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to restore us back to Him.

Praise God that He is God of past, present and future. Praise God for the fulfilled prophecy in His Word which again and again show us the sovereignty and authority of God. Bless the Lord for His great blessing and generosity. He showers plentifully upon His children more than they need. In Jesus Christ, we have all that we need.

Prayer: Bless You O great Lord, for You are Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. You hold all the earth, all time, all history in Your hands. Restore us O Lord. Let Your face shine upon us that we might be saved. Restore to us O Lord the years that the locusts have eaten. Give us new life, new passion, new hope in You. Shower Your love upon us, Your abundant blessings that You give most generously to us. Give us more of Your Holy Spirit and a greater and deeper wisdom in knowing You, Lord Jesus. May Your name be praised forever. In Jesus name, Amen.