Amos 3:3-8

3 “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?

4 Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing?

5 Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing?

6 ¹Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? ²Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?

7 “For the Lord God does nothing ³without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.

8 The lion has roared; who will not fear? ⁴The 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.

Cross References

• 1. 3:6 Ezek. 33:4; See Joel 2:1
• 2. 3:6 [Isa. 45:7; Lam. 3:38; Mic. 1:12]
• 3. 3:7 Gen. 18:17; [Jer. 15:1]
• 4. 3:8 [Num. 22:38]