Глава 9

“I saw the Lord standing on the altar” (Am. 9:1), that is, Christ standing on the walls of the church, and not only standing, but also holding the Church in His hand, according to what was said: “I have placed you in the palm and hands of Mine” (Is. 49:16). “And he said: Smite I believe,” that is, the threshing floor, “and the vestibule will shake with famine” (Am. 9:1). By this the prophet indicates for that hunger and for that thirst to accept the Gospel teaching of life about Christ, which are characteristic of those who believe. In a mysterious sense, he calls the Flesh of Christ faith, and the vestibule - the composition of the Flesh, because the composition of the Flesh of Christ was shaken by the natural sufferings that Christ endured. “Create in heaven all the powers on high, angels and guardians” (Am.9:6). “I have known... the foreigners from Cappadocia” (Amos 9:7). If you boast about your exodus from Egypt and do not glorify Me for it, then know that I brought the Philistines out of Cappadocia, “and the Syrians from Riv (Cyrus),” that is, from Harras, or Haran (Amos 9:7). “Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are upon the kingdom of sinners” (Amos 9:8). Just as these nations were scattered and destroyed for their sins, so you, like them in wickedness, will have a similar end. However, I will not crush Jacob as I crushed these nations, but the day will come when “I will raise up the fallen tabernacle of David, and I will restore what was fallen, and I will rebuild what was dug out of it” (Am.9:11). This transformation was fulfilled during the return of the Jews from captivity, and the truth was fulfilled in the days of the crucifixion. The prophet calls the Tabernacle of David the entire human race, which was overthrown by the transgression of the commandment, and which Christ raised from the fall. He restored to us the life we ​​had destroyed and, moreover, through suffering and death for us, He gave us an endless Kingdom. “And I will reward you like the days of the age” (Amos 9:11); “I will reward (restore) you,” that is, the Church, which Christ redeemed with His Blood, is the host of those who believed in Christ. Christ recreated him, raised him from the fall and returns to him the life that was given initially, in the present century, in the form of a pledge, and in the future - in its entirety. “And the harvest will overtake the grapes, and the bunch will ripen for seed” (Amos 9:13). This is said about the time of Zerubbabel. In a deep, spiritual sense, it means the Divine blessings and heavenly gifts sent down to us after the resurrection of Christ. “And the mountains will dig up the sweetness” (Amos 9:13). The Prophet calls mountains the teachers of Judah, who, upon returning from captivity in the days of Zerubbabel, exuded to the people the sweetness of the teaching of the law. And one more thing: the prophet here calls the Church mountains, and sweetness the teaching taught in it. “And... the hills will delight” (Am. 9:13). These are holy monasteries and hermitage Caves of God-worshippers, which flourish in the mountains and where hermits practice praising God. In the historical sense, the prophet calls the princes of the Jewish people hills, about whom he says: “and the cities of destruction will be restored” (Am. 9:14). Those cities that were devastated by their enemies, the Assyrians and Babylonians, they will rebuild (build) upon their return. “And they will plant... helicities,” which were destroyed by the enemies (Am.9:14). “And I will plant... and no one will be plucked out of his land” throughout the seventy weeks of rest (Am.9:15). You might be interested in: