Amos 3:3-8

3 Will two people walk together unless they have agreed to do so?
4 Does a lion roar in the forest, when it has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from its den if it has caught nothing?
5 Will a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait for it? Will a trap spring up from the ground when it has taken nothing?
6 If a ram's horn is blown in a city, won't people tremble? If disaster falls on a city, is it the LORD who has done it?
7 Surely the LORD God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.
8 A lion has roared; who will not fear? The LORD God has spoken; who can but prophesy?

Amos 3:3-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 3

In this chapter the prophet goes on with his prophecy against Israel, whom God had highly favoured, and yet sinned against him, and therefore must expect to be punished by him; and the rather, since he and they were not agreed; and therefore there could be no communion between them, Am 3:1-3; and by various similes are set forth the cause of divine judgments, the certain design of them, and their continuance, till the end is answered; which should be attended to, since every thing of this kind is of God, who giving his prophets notice of it, they are under an absolute necessity of declaring it; nor should they be blamed for it, Am 3:4-8; and even the Heathen nations are appealed unto as witnesses of the sins of Israel, that caused such a denunciation of wrath; their tumults, oppression, injustice, violence, and robbery, Am 3:9,10; wherefore an adversary is threatened to be sent among them, that should utterly destroy them, so that few should escape, Am 3:11,12; particularly their idolatry and luxury seem to have been reigning sins, which had a great hand in bringing on their rum, and for which the Lord would punish them, Am 3:13-15.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or Will two walk together unless they have agreed?
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