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Amos 3

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1Hear 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“I have only chosen you of all the families of the earth. Therefore I will punish you for all of your sins.” 3Do two walk together, unless they have agreed? 4Will 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? 5Can 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? 6Does the trumpet alarm sound in a city, without the people being afraid? Does evil happen to a city, and Yahweh hasn’t done it? 7Surely the Lord Yahweh will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets. 8The lion has roared. Who will not fear? The Lord Yahweh has spoken. Who can but prophesy? 9Proclaim in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, “Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria, and see what unrest is in her, and what oppression is among them.” 10“Indeed they don’t know to do right,” says Yahweh, “Who hoard plunder and loot in their palaces.” 11Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: “An adversary will overrun the land; and he will pull down your strongholds, and your fortresses will be plundered.” 12Yahweh says: “As the shepherd rescues out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the children of Israel be rescued who sit in Samaria on the corner of a couch, and on the silken cushions of a bed.” 13“Listen, and testify against the house of Jacob,” says the Lord Yahweh, the God of Armies. 14“For in the day that I visit the transgressions of Israel on him, I will also visit the altars of Bethel; and the horns of the altar will be cut off, and fall to the ground. 15I will strike the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory will perish, and the great houses will have an end,” says Yahweh.

World English Bible (public domain)

"For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets."

Amos 3:7

Summary

In Amos chapter 3, God addresses Israel with a clear message of judgment, beginning by reminding them of their unique relationship with Him, a bond formed by His selection and deliverance. However, due to their sins, they will face accountability. The chapter outlines the principle that accountability comes with privilege; those whom God has known intimately will also face His scrutiny. Amos uses a series of rhetorical questions to illustrate the cause-and-effect nature of divine judgment, emphasizing that calamity in a city does not occur unless the Lord has done it. This highlights God's sovereignty and the certainty of His word. The chapter ends with vivid imagery of impending destruction due to the nation's rejection of God's ways, underscoring the themes of justice and repentance.

Key Themes

divine judgmentcovenant relationshipprophetic revelationaccountability

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Amos 3: frequently asked questions

What is Amos 3 about?+
In Amos chapter 3, God addresses Israel with a clear message of judgment, beginning by reminding them of their unique relationship with Him, a bond formed by His selection and deliverance. However, due to their sins, they will face accountability. The chapter outlines the principle that accountability comes with privilege; those whom God has known intimately will also face His scrutiny. Amos uses a series of rhetorical questions to illustrate the cause-and-effect nature of divine judgment, emphasizing that calamity in a city does not occur unless the Lord has done it. This highlights God's sovereignty and the certainty of His word. The chapter ends with vivid imagery of impending destruction due to the nation's rejection of God's ways, underscoring the themes of justice and repentance.
What is the key verse in Amos 3?+
Amos 3:7: ""For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.""
What are the main themes of Amos 3?+
The main themes of Amos 3 are divine judgment, covenant relationship, prophetic revelation, accountability.

Study Notes