Amos 3:3-8

3 Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?
4 Does a lion roar in the thicket when it has no prey? Does it growl in its den when it has caught nothing?
5 Does a bird swoop down to a trap on the ground when no bait is there? Does a trap spring up from the ground if it has not caught anything?
6 When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?
7 Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
8 The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD 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.

Cross References 11

  • 1. S Isaiah 42:13
  • 2. Psalms 104:21; S Hosea 5:14
  • 3. S Psalms 119:110
  • 4. S Numbers 10:2; S Job 39:24; S Jeremiah 4:21
  • 5. S Isaiah 31:2
  • 6. Isaiah 14:24-27; Isaiah 45:7
  • 7. Genesis 18:17; S 1 Samuel 3:7; S Daniel 9:22; John 15:15; Revelation 10:7
  • 8. S Jeremiah 23:22
  • 9. S Isaiah 31:4
  • 10. S Isaiah 42:13
  • 11. S Jeremiah 20:9; John 1:1-3; Jonah 3:1-3; Acts 4:20
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