Amo 9:11-12 (Complete Jewish Bible)
[11] "When that day comes, I will raise up the fallen sukkah of David. I will close up its gaps, raise up its ruins and rebuild it as it used to be, [12] so that Isra'el can possess what is left of Edom and of all the nations bearing my name," says Adonai, who is doing this."
This is a remarkable prophecy from the Tanakh (Torah, Prophets, and Writings - also referred to as the Old Testament) that finds a fulfillment among the early Messianic believers. God says He will rebuild the tent of David and draw in the Gentiles that seek him. I find much personal satisfaction in this prophecy on a few different levels.
Being a Gentile, I can point to this as confirmation that I, too, can be a part of what our Creator is doing in the earth. God had a plan in mind to include me as part of His family—that’s what it means to “bear His Name”. Previously, I was without hope. I didn’t have any legal right to be under his care. I had no heavenly inheritance. But God made a way. He had a plan that He would include the Gentiles as part of His People. Israel would “possess what is left of Edom and all the nations.”
This is mind-blowing to the original hearer of the original writer. That's because Edom is the nation that descended from Esau.
Gen 25:29-34 (CJB)
[29] "One day when Ya`akov had cooked some stew, `Esav came in from the open country, exhausted, [30] and said to Ya`akov, "Please! Let me gulp down some of that red stuff—that red stuff! I'm exhausted!" (This is why he was called Edom [red].) [31] Ya`akov answered, "First sell me your rights as the firstborn." [32] "Look, I'm about to die!" said `Esav. "What use to me are my rights as the firstborn?" [33] Ya`akov said, "First, swear to me!" So he swore to him, thus selling his birthright to Ya`akov. [34] Then Ya`akov gave him bread and lentil stew; he ate and drank, got up and went on his way. Thus `Esav showed how little he valued his birthright."
The brother that rejected his birthright for a bowl of red lentils. This same tribe of Edom intermingled with the tribes that had outright rejected God’s commands for the best way of life. When the Israelites that God had freed from Egypt kindly asked Edom to pass through a corner of their land, the Edomites set themselves in array against Israel forcing them to go a different, longer way.
Num 20:14-21 (CJB)
[14] "Moshe sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom: "This is what your brother Isra'el says: you know all the troubles we have gone through— [15] that our ancestors went down into Egypt, we lived in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians treated us and our ancestors badly. [16] But when we cried out to Adonai, he heard us, sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. Now here we are in Kadesh, a city at the edge of your territory. [17] Please let us pass through your land. We will not go through fields or vineyards, and we won't drink any water from the wells. We will go along the King's Highway, not turning aside either to the right or to the left until we have left your territory." [18] But Edom answered, "You are not to pass through my land; if you do, I will come out against you with the sword." [19] The people of Isra'el replied, "We will keep to the highway; if we do drink the water, either we or our livestock, we will pay for it. Just let us pass through on foot—it's nothing." [20] But he said, "You are not to pass through"; and Edom came out against them with many people and much force. [21] Thus Edom refused to allow Isra'el passage through its territory, so Isra'el turned away."
The Edomites also eventually became extremely idolatrous, partaking in occult practices and depraved behaviors. I won’t mention those behaviors here, but they would receive the harshest of consequences today. God said he would include people of this tribe that seek Him. The believers of the early messianic church recognized that this group includes all the nations.
Act 15:13-18 (CJB)
[13] Ya`akov broke the silence to reply. "Brothers," he said, "hear what I have to say. [14] Shim`on has told in detail what God did when he first began to show his concern for taking from among the Goyim a people to bear his name. [15] And the words of the Prophets are in complete harmony with this for it is written, [16] ' "After this, I will return; and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David. I will rebuild its ruins, I will restore it, [17] so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, that is, all the Goyim who have been called by my name," [18] says Adonai, who is doing these things.' All this has been known for ages."
This is good news for us Gentiles. Hallelujah! We are invited to be called by God's Name. This means we can be part of God's family—children of the King! We have become part of God's Kingdom on earth. We have a new name. We also now have a new purpose. We are called to the work that God wants accomplished here. What very good news! Let us ask God to show us how we each fit into His plan of redemption for the nations!
