Amos 3:1-8

1 Hear this word that Yahweh has spoken against you, children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying:
2 "You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth. Therefore I will punish you for all of your sins."
3 Do two walk together, Unless they have agreed?
4 Will a lion roar in the thicket, When he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out of his den, If he has caught nothing?
5 Can a bird fall in a trap on the earth, Where no snare is set for him? Does a snare spring up from the ground, When there is nothing to catch?
6 Does the trumpet alarm sound in a city, Without the people being afraid? Does evil befall a city, And Yahweh hasn't done it?
7 Surely the Lord Yahweh will do nothing, Unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets.
8 The lion has roared. Who will not fear? The Lord Yahweh has spoken. Who can but prophesy?

Amos 3:1-8 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.

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