Once again we read the promise of Israel's restoration. Why, then, does He do this again and again: allow the kingdom of Israel to be destroyed and then restore it again? We have already spoken many times about the reasons for destruction: these are the normal, logical consequences of life without God. But why does He again and again restore the tabernacle of David?..

In today's reading God says nothing about Israel's repentance, nothing about anyone asking Him to restore the kingdom... He forgives and has mercy again and again not because we ask Him for mercy, though that too is important so that we can receive His mercy. No, the main thing is that He is merciful; He loves to show mercy and to save. By His goodness He forgives each of us again and again, not because we suddenly became good, but because He loves us.

"That day," of which the prophet begins to speak in chapter 8, now appears before us as a nightmare (vv. 1-10). A world lying in sin cannot withstand the visitation of the righteous God. But this is not only a day of judgment and justice; it is a day of mercy and restoration (vv. 11-15). The loving God calls us not to fear, but to love.

Several events of different kinds and different times are linked with "this day": Israel's return from captivity (v. 14), the restoration of the temple and of the reign of David's descendant (v. 11), the proclamation of the Lord's name among all nations (v. 12), the final establishment of the people in the promised land (v. 15), and, finally, the unbroken fruitfulness of the earth, bringing forth its harvest for humankind, as in the Garden of Eden! (v. 13).

Truly, "God does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets" (Am. 3:7).