Tent of David
„"In 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, that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name," declares the LORD who does this.” (Amos 9:11-12)
King David is known for many things, but less so as a unifier. He was the one who really united Israel and Judah, although this had already begun during the life of King Saul. However, this unity did not last long, at the beginning of King Rehoboam's reign, Israel separated from Judah. This is David's fallen booth. The fulfillment of the prophecy about the restoration of the fallen booth began in the life of the apostles. We can read about this from Peter:
„And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will." And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, "'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.' Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues."” (Acts 15:7-21)
In the prophecy in the book of Amos, we can read more about this, which James did not yet understand here. Let's read:
„For behold, I will command, and shake the house of Israel among all the nations as one shakes with a sieve, but no pebble shall fall to the earth.” (Amos 9:9)
It all seems contradictory, how could there be unification (restoring the booth) if sifting takes place? After all, sifting disperses rather than unites. Jesus spoke to Peter about sifting:
„Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,” (Luke 22:31)
Jesus said this to Peter, but it clearly did not only concern Peter. However, we know about Peter that He was the head of the apostleship, so if it happens to him, it will happen to the others as well. As Jesus said about himself:
„Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” (John 15:20)
So if Jesus is persecuted, so are His disciples, if Peter is persecuted, so are the other apostles. This sifting began with the stoning of Stephen, since with his death there was a great persecution against the believers in Jesus:
„And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.” (Acts 8:1-2)
The believers in Jesus are scattered! But all? Let's read again the sifting that Jesus said to Peter, just add one more verse:
„Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32)
Peter's faith really did not fail, as we could read that everyone was scattered, but the apostles stayed together, Peter kept the "team" together. So how did this sifting become a unit? First, let's read the promise of Jesus:
„And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16)
The believers in Jesus were scattered (remember, there were thousands of them), so they no longer shone in one place, but throughout Judea and Samaria, and then they preached the gospel among the nations (remember that Paul also went to Damascus to deport the Jews back to Jerusalem). This is how it became a fulfilled prophecy that God would raise up David's fallen booth, which is big enough for the nations to enter.
„In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:2-3)
Antal Farkas
(January 27, 2024)
