“Woe to you who are complacent in Zion” (6:1). Amos prophesied to northern Israel (“Mount Samaria”) that they had misunderstood God’s covenant. God had blessed them with His Word and an invitation to belonging, but it was no excuse for idolatry or mistreatment of the poor. “You strum away on your harps like David ... but do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph” (6:5-6). God detested their pride (6:8) and declared that they, like all nations, would encounter the “shaking” of his judgment (9:7,9).

“I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins” (9:11). Jesus lived out true obedience to the Father, and on the cross, he bore the cost of repairing our ruins. Through him, we all can experience restoration.