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Amos, 3

1. Listen, Israelites, to this prophecy which Yahweh pronounces against you, against the whole family which I brought up from Egypt:

1. Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt:

2. You alone have I intimately known of all the families of earth, that is why I shall punish you for all your wrong-doings.

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 people travel together unless they have agreed to do so?

3. "Do two walk together, unless they have made an appointment?

4. Does the lion roar in the forest if it has no prey? Does the young lion growl in his lair if it has caught nothing?

4. 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?

5. Does a bird fall on the ground in a net unless a trap has been set for it? Will the net spring up from the ground without catching something?

5. 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?

6. Does the trumpet sound in the city without the people being alarmed? Does misfortune come to a city if Yahweh has not caused it?

6. Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does evil befall a city, unless the LORD has done it?

7. No indeed, Lord Yahweh does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.

7. Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.

8. The lion roars: who is not afraid? Lord Yahweh has spoken: who will not prophesy?

8. The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?"

9. From the palace roofs of Assyria and from the palace roofs of Egypt, proclaim aloud, 'Assemble on the hills of Samaria and observe the grave disorders inside her and the acts of oppression there!'

9. Proclaim to the strongholds in Assyria, and to the strongholds in the land of Egypt, and say, "Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Sama'ria, and see the great tumults within her, and the oppressions in her midst."

10. Little they know of right conduct -declares Yahweh- who cram their palaces with violence and extortion.

10. "They do not know how to do right," says the LORD, "those who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds."

11. This is why -- Lord Yahweh says this- an enemy will soon besiege the land, he will bring down your strength and your palaces will be looted.

11. 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."

12. Yahweh says this: As the shepherd rescues two legs or the tip of an ear from the lion's mouth, so will the children of Israel be salvaged who now loll in Samaria in the corners of their beds, on their divans of Damascus.

12. 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 Sama'ria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part of a bed."

13. Listen and testify against the House of Jacob -declares the Lord Yahweh, God Sabaoth-

13. "Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob," says the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,

14. the day when I punish Israel for his crimes I shall also punish the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar will be hacked off and will fall to the ground.

14. "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.

15. I shall blast winter house with summer house, ivory houses will be destroyed and many mansions cease to be -declares Yahweh.

15. I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall come to an end," says the LORD.



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Footnotes:

3:1-2 - Amos begins with an appeal to the nation of Israel, reminding them of their unique covenant with God and how this holds them accountable for greater obedience. Israel's choice implies a special responsibility before God (see also Deuteronomy 7:6 and 1 Peter 2:9).

3:3-8 - The prophet uses a series of rhetorical questions to illustrate the inevitability of God's judgment on Israel, indicating that acts of disobedience have consequences. God's revelation and the fulfillment of His plans are inescapable, like the action of a roaring lion (see also Isaiah 31:4 and Jeremiah 25:30).

3:9-10 - God calls the surrounding nations to observe what is happening in Israel, for the nation has been corrupted and violated divine principles. Moral corruption and injustice have repercussions not only for Israel but for the entire world (see also Ezekiel 22:1-4 and Jeremiah 5:30-31).

3:11-15 - Amos announces that foreign invasion will be the instrument of divine judgment. The judgment will be inescapable, affecting every area of Israelite society, from luxurious homes to idolatrous altars. This reflects the totality of the covenantal breach with God (see also Isaiah 5:8-10 and 2 Kings 17:5-6).

3:16-18 - Israel's destruction will be a direct consequence of the broken covenant and the injustices committed. Even the remnant of the nation will suffer, and God promises a final judgment. God's chastening and discipline are intended to call the people to repentance (see also Hebrews 12:5-11 and Revelation 3:19).

Verses related to Amos, 3:

Amos chapter 3 deepens the accusation against Israel. What is the unique responsibility of being the chosen people? This provocative text uses a series of rhetorical questions to emphasize the inevitability of judgment. The chapter highlights the special relationship between God and Israel, and how this increases their guilt. Amos 3 also highlights the role of the prophet as divine spokesman. Explore with us five biblical passages that expand on the themes of election and responsibility presented in this persuasive chapter.

Jeremiah 25:30: "Now prophesy against them all these words and say to them, 'The Lord roars from on high; thunders from his holy dwelling and roars mightily against his land. He shouts, like those who tread grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.'" - This verse echoes the image of the lion's roar in Amos 3:8, symbolizing God's impending judgment.

Micah 3:8: "But I am filled with the power of the Spirit of the Lord, and with righteousness and strength, to declare to Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin." - Like Amos in Amos 3:7-8, Micah asserts his prophetic authority to denounce the sins of Israel.

Deuteronomy 7:6: "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord, your God, chose you from among all the people on the face of the earth to be his people, his personal treasure." - This verse provides context for Amos' statement in Amos 3:2 about Israel's special relationship with God.

Proverbs 16:18: "Pride comes before destruction; the haughty spirit, before the fall." - This proverb reflects Amos' warning in Amos 3:9-15 about the imminent downfall of Israel due to its pride and injustice.

Isaiah 45:7: "I form light and create darkness, I promote peace and cause misfortune; I, the Lord, do all these things." - This verse relates to Amos 3:6, where Amos states that no disaster occurs in the city without the Lord having caused it.

FAQ:

Why did Amos say that God was in judgment against Israel?

Amos declared that God was judging Israel for their sins because the people knew His will but disobeyed it. (Amos 3:1-2)

What did Amos teach about the consequences of sin?

Amos taught that sin would bring destruction, like the certain roar of a lion, which cannot be avoided. (Amos 3:3-8)

How did Amos describe Israel's decline?

Amos described Israel as a people who had turned away from the Lord, bringing upon themselves judgment through their practices of idolatry and injustice. (Amos 3:9-10)

What do the "large houses" that Amos mentions mean?

The "large houses" represent the rich and powerful in Israel, who would be destroyed for their oppression and corruption. (Amos 3:11-15)

What does God plan to do with the house of Israel?

God promises to punish the house of Israel with fire that will consume their strongholds and destroy their wealth. (Amos 3:14-15)


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