It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between the most dramatic point of a story and its conclusion, between its climax and its resolution. The climax of the story is when the major conflict is finally decided–for example, who wins and who loses in a war. But after that happens, there may be some plot details that still need resolution. For example, what happens to the winners and the losers after the battle is over? Where do they go, and what do they do?

Some people think the story is over once they see the climax, and are not interested in the resolution. But both can be equally important.

Imagine if Jesus died on the cross but did not rise from the dead, ascend into heaven, or promise to return. The climax would still be significant: the new covenant would begin and a way to forgive sins would be offered to all. But there would be no life everlasting, no future with Jesus, no reunion with all those who have gone before. A climax removes the obstacles; a resolution solves the problems.

In Amos 9, over the next three days' readings, we will reach both the climax and resolution of Amos' prophetic work. The first 10 verses (today's and tomorrow's reading) give the longest description of punishment found in the book of Amos. Here, the punishment serves both as a description of the coming fate of Israel as well as a theology lesson for her.

Amos 9:1-6 describes the extent to which God will go to discipline His people for their sins. No one will escape it (v. 1), and there is nowhere that Israel can go or hide from God (vv. 2-4). This is a demonstration of God's omnipresence. It is a contrast from the description of God in Psalm 139, in which He is watching over His people to guard and protect. In Amos 9, God is keeping His ″eye on them for harm and not for good″ (v. 4).

Amos 9:5-6, meanwhile, speak of God's limitless power–His omnipotence. God's power is on full display here: His mere touch melts the earth (v. 5), and His palace, where He reigns, extends from earth to the heavens (v. 6). This is a picture of a sovereign God who rules everything and has both the right and the power to execute His will.

This is the climax. God has the right, the power, and the reason to execute His punishment on Israel. Of its certainty and extent there can be no doubt, because ″the Lord is his name″ (v. 6).