Amos 3:1-10

The Inevitability Of Judgment, Both Because Of What YHWH Is, And Because He Will Act (Amos 3:1).

Following up on the idea in Amos 2:9 Amos commences this section of his prophecy (introduced by ‘hear this word' compare Amos 4:1; Amos 5:1), with a reminder of Israel's deliverance from Egypt and YHWH's subsequent covenant with them at Sinai, which are the consequence of His having especially chosen them by entering into a covenant relationship with them (by His having ‘known them'), and emphasises the fact that One Who has revealed the fullness of His moral requirements in such a way must inevitably judge those who, having embraced them, ignored them. That is why Israel can be more certain of judgment than all the others who had previously been condemned in his sevenfold condemnation.

He then follows this declaration up with a list of contrasts which draw attention to the fact that each thing has its consequence, and the examples are carefully constructed to convey an important message. Thus two (a moral YHWH and a disobedient Israel) cannot walk together unless they are in agreement, which they patently are not. That is why YHWH is like a lion roaring over its prey (Amos 3:4; Amos 3:8), in contrast with Israel who are like a twittering bird caught in YHWH's snare (Amos 3:5). And it is all because they are not walking in agreement. The people in the city hear the ram's horn warning of danger, and are consequently afraid, thinking that the danger comes from an external source, while all the time the evil will come on them because YHWH, Who is like a lion towards those who behave wrongly, is responsible for what will happen to them (Amos 3:6). And all this He has revealed to His servants the prophets, with whom He  is  in agreement.

Foreign nations are then called on to witness what was to happen to YHWH's people because they had failed to do what was right (Amos 3:9), for even pagan nations will recognise the depths of their sinfulness in treating YHWH as they have. The consequence will be that they will soon find themselves surrounded by enemies (Amos 3:11). Like a lion YHWH is about to eat up His erring people (Amos 3:12), and the scraps will be there to prove that it has happened.

The passage finally closes with a declaration that as a consequence YHWH will bring judgment on the false altars at Bethel, and on the palaces and mansions of the wealthy, because both of these are evidence of Israel's failure to fulfil the covenant. And all this is as a result of the word of YHWH (‘says YHWH').