Amos 3:5

5 Fällt der Vogel in die Schlinge am Boden, wenn ihm kein Sprenkel gelegt ist? Schnellt die Schlinge von der Erde empor, wenn sie gar nichts gefangen hat?

Amos 3:5 Meaning and Commentary

Amos 3:5

Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin [is]
for him?
&c.] No, there must be a snare set, or a bird can never be taken in it; and that is done, not by chance, but with the design of the fowler; yea, with the knowledge and will of God himself, ( Matthew 10:29 ) ; the design of this is to show, that no judgment or affliction comes upon a people, or they into one, by chance, or without the appointment of God; they are his nets and snares, which he on purpose spreads and sets for persons, to take them in; and unless he did do so, they would not fall into any; see ( Job 5:6 Job 5:7 ) ( 23:14 ) ( Ezekiel 12:13 ) ; shall [one] take up a snare from the earth;
the Targum adds, out of its time: and have taken nothing at all?
when men set a snare to catch anything, do they take it up before anything is caught? they do not; they let it stand till something is ensnared in it, and so their end answered, and then they take it up, and not before. And thus when God denounces or brings a judgment, or an affliction, upon a people, does he remove it before the end is answered by it? he does not; if the end is to bring men to a sense of sin, and humiliation for it; or to bring near to God who have been wandering from him; or to try their graces, or take away their sin; when such an end is answered, then, and not till then, is the snare taken up, or the affliction removed; tilt such an end is brought about, the distress is continued, or the threatening of it; and of this Israel is hereby assured.

Amos 3:5 In-Context

3 Wandeln wohl zwei miteinander, es sei denn, daß sie übereingekommen sind?
4 Brüllt der Löwe im Walde, wenn er keinen Raub hat? Läßt der junge Löwe seine Stimme aus seiner Höhle erschallen, außer wenn er einen Fang getan hat?
5 Fällt der Vogel in die Schlinge am Boden, wenn ihm kein Sprenkel gelegt ist? Schnellt die Schlinge von der Erde empor, wenn sie gar nichts gefangen hat?
6 Oder wird die Posaune in der Stadt geblasen, und das Volk sollte nicht erschrecken? Oder geschieht ein Unglück in der Stadt, und Jehova hätte es nicht bewirkt?
7 Denn der Herr, Jehova, tut nichts, es sei denn, daß er sein Geheimnis seinen Knechten, den Propheten, geoffenbart habe. -
The Elberfelder Bible is in the public domain.