Amos 3:1-8, Greater Responsibility

You would think that having a special relationship with someone would move them to overlook when you mess up. But for Israel, it’s just the opposite.

3:1 Hear this word that Yahweh has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt: 2 “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities.

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 caught nothing? 5 Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap set for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing? 6 Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless Yahweh has done it?

7 “For the Sovereign Yahweh does nothing without revealing his plans to his servants the prophets. 8 The lion has roared; who isn’t frightened? The Sovereign Yahweh has spoken; who can refuse to prophesy?”

God has actually shown tremendous patience toward Judah and Israel, not bringing the full judgment against them for their many transgressions. But things have come to a head. Because Israel has such a special connection to Yahweh, being chosen by Him among all the nations for a covenant relationship, He cannot ignore any more her flagrant disregard for their relationship. With great privilege comes great responsibility.

No, people don’t walk together unless agreed upon. No, a lion does not roar if he has no prey. No, a bird isn’t trapped without a snare and a snare doesn’t spring without anything in it. And no, a trumpet of warning concerning impending doom cannot sound without terrifying the city’s inhabitants. No disaster can come upon a city that doesn’t really come from Yahweh. It’s coming, Israel!

God does reveal His secret plans to His chosen people, and here, Amos says, is the warning. In a return to his opening prophecy in chapter 1, the Lion Yahweh has roared, and you had better be afraid. With every prophetic warning comes a chance to repent and perhaps gain Yahweh’s relenting from the prophesied judgment. Will you turn from your evil to Yahweh?