John Calvin Commentary Amos 9:12

"that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the nations that are called by my name, saith Jehovah that doeth this." — Amos 9:12 (ASV)

By these words the Prophet shows that the kingdom under Christ would be more renowned and larger than it had ever been under David. Since the kingdom had been greatest in dignity, wealth, and power in the age of David, the Prophet here says that its borders would be enlarged; for then he says, Possess shall the Israelites the remnant of Edom. He speaks here in common of the Israelites and of the Jews, as before, at the beginning of the last chapter, he threatened both. But we now understand what he means—that Edom will come under the yoke.

And it is sufficiently evident why he mentions here especially the Idumeans: it is because they had been most inveterate enemies, and their proximity gave them greater opportunity for doing harm. As the Idumeans harassed the miserable Jews and gave them no respite, this is the reason why the Prophet says that they would come under the power of His elect people. He afterwards adds that all nations would also come to the Jews. He speaks first of the Idumeans, but he also adds all other nations. I cannot finish today.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that as we see everywhere so many evident tokens of Your displeasure, and more grievous ones are impending, if we indeed duly consider how grievously we have provoked Your wrath, and how wickedly also the whole world today rages against You and at the same time abuses Your many and excellent benefits—O grant, that we may always remember Your covenant and have a perpetual confidence in Your only-begotten Son, so that whenever it may please You to sift us, You may keep us in safety, until we come, not into any earthly storehouse but into Your celestial kingdom, where we may become partakers of that glory which Your Son has obtained for us, who has once for all redeemed us that we may always remain under His guardianship and protection. Amen.

[Exposition continues from previous day's lecture]

In yesterday’s lecture, we could not finish the verse in which Amos says that the Idumeans and other nations would come under the power of the people of God. As for the first clause, there is no ambiguity, but the latter admits of two meanings. Some understand its sense to be this: Other nations on whom My name is called. Others refer this to the children of Abraham in this way: That possess the remnants of Edom and all nations they may, upon whom, etc.; that is, that they on whom My name is called, even the descendants of Abraham, may possess the Idumeans and all other nations.

If we choose the reference to be made to the chosen people, the order of the words seems to be somewhat broken. Yet this sense is very suitable: that the faithful may possess their enemies, on whom My name is called. For the reason why He promised a large kingdom to the Israelites appears to be expressed here by the Prophet: it is because they were enrolled in God’s name; the Lord owned them as His people, inasmuch as He had chosen and adopted them in the person of their father Abraham.

But if the other view is more approved, then the particle asher, is not, as I think, a pronoun relative, but an adverb expressing a cause: That they may possess the remnants of Edom and all nations, for My name shall have been, or shall be, called on them. For who can have possession of this right or title but those who, having been aliens, shall pass over into the family of Abraham?

Israel is indeed said to possess whatever comes from another quarter and is incorporated into the body of the Church.

But I will not contend on this point, for this main thing is evident to us: that the extension of the kingdom under Christ is here promised, as though he had said that the Jews were included within narrow bounds, even when the kingdom of David especially flourished, but that God would under Christ extend their borders and cause them to rule far and wide. What it is to call God’s name on a people, we have stated elsewhere. Let us now go on with the context.