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More Amos commentaries
Amos 1:1-15
Announcement of Judgment
Amos 2:1-16
Judgment on Judah and Israel
Amos 3:1-15
Authority of the Prophet’s Message
Amos 4:1-13
Israel Did Not Accept Correction
Amos 5:1-15
A Call to Repentance
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Authority of the Prophet’s Message
Amos 3:1–15
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
It seems that St. Peter and the Devil had an agreement to share the costs of maintaining the fence between Heaven and Hell. One weekend there was a bit of a brawl in Hell that got out of hand, and part of the fence was smashed. It went unfixed for weeks and St. Peter approached t … More
The people of Israel had experienced a unique, covenant relationship with the Lord because He had elected them from among all the nations to be His people (v. 1)The nation of Israel also had the privilege of having a unique “family relationship.” Along with the nation of Judah, they had been chosen to be God’s people. The Lord refers to them as “The whole family I brought up out of Egypt.” As such, they enjoyed a distinct privilege that was not shared by other nations. This privilege, however, also brought with it a responsibility. Those chosen by God were also liable to God for their response to Him. They had rejected God’s truth and the warnings of His prophets. As a result, they were subject to His punishment (v. 2).
Seven searching questions are raised that reveal how events do not occur in nature or history without causes (vv. 3-8). An example of this is, “How can two walk together, except they be agreed (v. 3)?” Often, in answer to this it will be discovered that the soul is not in agreement with God and the answer will not come until the nation or individual have come back in agreement to God. The Lord desired to disclose Himself so his servants could deliver His words before God’s judgment came (v. 7). Amos explained the cause behind His preaching as the call of the Lord (v. 8). Israel’s most wicked and idolatrous neighbors see God judge Israel (v. 9).
Israel no longer knew how to do what was right (v. 10). The more they sinned, the harder it was to remember what God wanted. The adversary mentioned here was Assyria who conquered Israel and did just as Amos predicted by scattering them and foreigners were placed in the land (vv. 11-12). God’s judgment against Israel’s altars shows that He was rejecting Israel’s entire religious system (vv. 13-14). Then they would have no sanctuary, protection, or refuge (v. 15).Application
Whether in marriage, business or ministry I need to be very sure that I am in agreement with my partner.
Amos 3:1-15 (English Standard Version)
Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt: "You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. "Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet? 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? 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? Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it? "For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?" Proclaim to the strongholds in Ashdod and to the strongholds in the land of Egypt, and say, "Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria, and see the great tumults within her, and the oppressed in her midst." "They do not know how to do right," declares the LORD, "those who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds." Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "An adversary shall surround the land and bring down your defenses from you, and your strongholds shall be plundered." Thus says the LORD: "As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel who dwell in Samaria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part of a bed. "Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob," declares the Lord GOD, the God of hosts, "that on the day I punish Israel for his transgressions, I will punish the altars of Bethel, and the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground. I will strike the winter house along with the summer house, and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall come to an end," declares the LORD.
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