CHAPTER 3

1 Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, 2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. 3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? 4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? 5 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? 6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?

It is clear from the first verse that this prophecy of Amos is spoken to ALL the tribes of Israel. God saved them out of the bondage of Egypt. When God saved them, He had a purpose for them.

They were to be special to God (vs 2). This was the ONLY nation to whom God revealed His Person, Plan, and Purpose. Since they had not respected His person, had not followed His plan, and had not fulfilled His purpose, God would bring punishment upon them.

Two people cannot cooperate with one another unless they are "agreed" (vs 3). God was agreed that they should follow His will, but THEY weren't agreed.

Just as a lion roars when he has taken a prey (vs 4), God had spoken when He saved them from captivity in Egypt and had brought them to Himself. A bird cannot be taken in a snare unless the snare is first SET (vs 5). God had set history in motion so that He could capture Israel as His own.

Now that these tribes had forsaken God, a "trumpet" should be (vs 6) "blown in the city." A trumpet was sounded in the city to warn of approaching danger. The danger was that God was about to strike a punishing blow to these ungrateful people.

I cannot pass by the last part of verse 6 without a very special comment. If "evil" happens, God engineered it. And God never does anything without a purpose. Keep in mind here that "evil" is the Hebrew word "ra," which means "bad," "affliction," "difficulty," "calamity," or "distress."

Sometimes God introduces "evil" to a person or a place for destruction (ie Sodom and Gomorrha). Sometimes God introduces "evil" to a person or a place for instruction (ie Israel when they invaded Ai). Sometimes God introduces "evil" to a person or a place for reconstruction (ie this instance in Amos 3). God was going to destroy their homes, their cities, their temple, and their government. But God was going to save the faithful and reconstruct later.

7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. 8 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy? 9 Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.

When God gets ready to do something destructive, instructive or reconstructive, he ANNOUNCES it through prophets. God never does things suddenly without warning!

When God speaks people should listen (vs 8)! He is "the Lion of the tribe of Judah," He is the LORD GOD!
When God speaks His people should prophesy! Publish the Word (vs 9)!

10 For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.

The REASON to publish what God says is because the people "know not to do right!" Evil thoughts are "stored up" in their hearts. Especially in today's world, people have lost moral direction. The Word of God is needed in ALL places.

11 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled. 12 Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch. 13 Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord GOD, the God of hosts, 14 That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground. 15 And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the LORD.

The evidence will be clear (vs 12) that God is sending an "adversary" to Israel (vs 11). He will destroy the kingdom, and even those of honor (vs 12) will not be saved.

Amos is to "hear" and "testify" (vs 13) this warning to Israel.

God is also sending an "adversary" who will devour all nations because of their sins of idolatry. He (the adversary) is "the LORD GOD, the God of hosts." (vs 13) He is the Omnipotent, Omniscient God! Christians, hear the Word of God, and TESTIFY!

In the "day" when God sent the adversary upon Israel, he even took captives from the "altar" (vs 14) and allowed all the beautiful houses to be destroyed (vs 15). Their main homes and their vacation homes were destroyed.

This (vss 14-15) gives insight to the prolifity of Israel in that time, much like America of today.

My friends, God has not changed. And people, for the majority, have not changed.
Christians, we must TESTIFY that this life is temporary, and that eternity is TOO LONG TO BE WRONG!!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.