Amos 3:3-8

3 Do two people ever walk together without meeting first?

4 Does a lion roar in the forest if it has no prey? Does a young lion growl in its den unless it has caught something?

5 Does a bird land in a trap on the ground if there's no bait in it? Does a trap spring up from the ground unless it has caught something?

6 If a ram's horn sounds an alarm in a city, won't the people be alarmed? If there is a disaster in a city, hasn't the LORD done it?

7 Certainly, the Almighty LORD doesn't do anything unless he [first] reveals his secret to his servants the prophets.

8 The lion has roared. Who isn't afraid? The Almighty LORD has spoken. Who can keep from prophesying?

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.