Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.
For they know not to do right, saith the Lord, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
Therefore thus saith the Lord God; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.
Thus saith the Lord; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.
Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord God, the God of hosts,
That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Beth–el: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.
And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the Lord.
Amos 3 delves into the special relationship between God and Israel, highlighting the gravity of their sins and the certainty of divine judgment. This chapter serves as a powerful warning, emphasizing the connection between disobedience and its consequences. It underscores God's sovereignty and His method of communicating His will through the prophets.
The Weight of Privilege (Amos 3:1-2)
The opening verses of Amos 3:1-2 emphasize the unique position Israel held in God's eyes. God reminds them of their deliverance from Egypt, a foundational act of redemption that established a covenant relationship. The declaration, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth" (Amos 3:2), underscores the exclusive nature of this covenant. This chosen status, however, makes their sins even more appalling. Their wickedness is not merely a transgression, but a betrayal of a sacred trust. Because of their privileged status, their iniquities cannot be excused. Their rejection of the God who saved them cannot go unpunished. The greater the blessing, the greater the responsibility and the more severe the consequences of disobedience.
Cause and Effect: A Chain of Inevitable Consequences (Amos 3:3-8)
Amos employs a series of rhetorical questions in Amos 3:3-6 to illustrate the principle of cause and effect. These questions, like "Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?" (Amos 3:3) and "Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey?" (Amos 3:4), highlight the logical connection between actions and their outcomes. The answer to each question is self-evident. Just as a lion roars because it has prey, or a trap springs because there is bait, so too does judgment follow sin.
The analogy of the trumpet in Amos 3:6, "If a trumpet is blown in a city, do not the people tremble?", emphasizes the role of warning. God, in His mercy, doesn't bring judgment without first giving a chance for repentance. This warning comes through the prophets, who serve as God's messengers. When disaster strikes, it is not arbitrary, but a direct result of God's judgment on sin, as verse 6 concludes, "If a disaster occurs in a city, has not the Lord done it?".
Amos 3:7 provides a crucial insight into God's character: "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets." This verse emphasizes that God communicates His will through His chosen messengers. Prophets like Amos, focused on God's kingdom, are entrusted with revealing God's plans and warnings to the people. The appropriate response to this divine revelation, as the roar of the lion symbolizes in Amos 3:8, is fear – a reverence and awe that leads to repentance and obedience.
The Inability to Do Right and the Coming Destruction (Amos 3:9-15)
Amos 3:9-15 paints a grim picture of Israel's moral decay and the impending judgment. The people are accused of being "incapable of doing right" (Amos 3:10). This is a powerful indictment, revealing the depth of their depravity. Their persistent sin has become ingrained, shaping their character and actions. Violence and destruction have become their way of life, and consequently, violence and destruction will be their fate (Amos 3:10-11).
The prophecy continues with a vivid description of the coming destruction. An enemy will surround the land, plundering their strongholds and citadels (Amos 3:11). The people will be devastated (Amos 3:12). The symbols of their false worship, the pagan altars, will be destroyed (Amos 3:14). Even the houses of the wealthy, built on injustice, will be demolished (Amos 3:15). This prophecy was fulfilled when the Assyrians captured Samaria in 722 BC and carried the people into captivity (see 2 Kings 17:6).
Amos 3 serves as a timeless reminder that privilege comes with responsibility and that disobedience carries consequences. It is a call to accountability, urging us to examine our own lives and ensure that we are living in accordance with God's will. It also offers hope, reminding us that God, in His mercy, warns us through His Word and His messengers, giving us an opportunity to repent and turn back to Him.
Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.
For they know not to do right, saith the Lord, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
Therefore thus saith the Lord God; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.
Thus saith the Lord; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.
Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord God, the God of hosts,
That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Beth–el: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.
And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the Lord.
Amos 3 delves into the special relationship between God and Israel, highlighting the gravity of their sins and the certainty of divine judgment. This chapter serves as a powerful warning, emphasizing the connection between disobedience and its consequences. It underscores God's sovereignty and His method of communicating His will through the prophets.
The Weight of Privilege (Amos 3:1-2)
The opening verses of Amos 3:1-2 emphasize the unique position Israel held in God's eyes. God reminds them of their deliverance from Egypt, a foundational act of redemption that established a covenant relationship. The declaration, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth" (Amos 3:2), underscores the exclusive nature of this covenant. This chosen status, however, makes their sins even more appalling. Their wickedness is not merely a transgression, but a betrayal of a sacred trust. Because of their privileged status, their iniquities cannot be excused. Their rejection of the God who saved them cannot go unpunished. The greater the blessing, the greater the responsibility and the more severe the consequences of disobedience.
Cause and Effect: A Chain of Inevitable Consequences (Amos 3:3-8)
Amos employs a series of rhetorical questions in Amos 3:3-6 to illustrate the principle of cause and effect. These questions, like "Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?" (Amos 3:3) and "Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey?" (Amos 3:4), highlight the logical connection between actions and their outcomes. The answer to each question is self-evident. Just as a lion roars because it has prey, or a trap springs because there is bait, so too does judgment follow sin.
The analogy of the trumpet in Amos 3:6, "If a trumpet is blown in a city, do not the people tremble?", emphasizes the role of warning. God, in His mercy, doesn't bring judgment without first giving a chance for repentance. This warning comes through the prophets, who serve as God's messengers. When disaster strikes, it is not arbitrary, but a direct result of God's judgment on sin, as verse 6 concludes, "If a disaster occurs in a city, has not the Lord done it?".
Amos 3:7 provides a crucial insight into God's character: "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets." This verse emphasizes that God communicates His will through His chosen messengers. Prophets like Amos, focused on God's kingdom, are entrusted with revealing God's plans and warnings to the people. The appropriate response to this divine revelation, as the roar of the lion symbolizes in Amos 3:8, is fear – a reverence and awe that leads to repentance and obedience.
The Inability to Do Right and the Coming Destruction (Amos 3:9-15)
Amos 3:9-15 paints a grim picture of Israel's moral decay and the impending judgment. The people are accused of being "incapable of doing right" (Amos 3:10). This is a powerful indictment, revealing the depth of their depravity. Their persistent sin has become ingrained, shaping their character and actions. Violence and destruction have become their way of life, and consequently, violence and destruction will be their fate (Amos 3:10-11).
The prophecy continues with a vivid description of the coming destruction. An enemy will surround the land, plundering their strongholds and citadels (Amos 3:11). The people will be devastated (Amos 3:12). The symbols of their false worship, the pagan altars, will be destroyed (Amos 3:14). Even the houses of the wealthy, built on injustice, will be demolished (Amos 3:15). This prophecy was fulfilled when the Assyrians captured Samaria in 722 BC and carried the people into captivity (see 2 Kings 17:6).
Amos 3 serves as a timeless reminder that privilege comes with responsibility and that disobedience carries consequences. It is a call to accountability, urging us to examine our own lives and ensure that we are living in accordance with God's will. It also offers hope, reminding us that God, in His mercy, warns us through His Word and His messengers, giving us an opportunity to repent and turn back to Him.