Amos Chapter 3
A. The Logic of God’s Judgment
1. Amos 3:1–2 — God’s Love and Care for Israel Makes Their Judgment Unavoidable
“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,
You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” (Amos 3:1–2, KJV)
God opens this section of judgment with a solemn declaration directed at the entire nation of Israel. The Lord reminds them that He Himself brought them out of the land of Egypt. This deliverance was not merely an act of power, but an expression of covenant love and faithfulness. Because God had redeemed them from slavery and formed them into His own people, their rebellion against Him was not the sin of strangers, but of those who owed Him loyalty. For the Lord to now speak against His own people shows how deeply their disobedience had provoked Him. Israel’s sin was made far more serious by the light they rejected and the grace they despised.
The exodus from Egypt stands as the central act of redemption in the Old Testament, and the Lord continually called Israel to remember it as proof of His love and ownership over them. In the New Testament, the cross of Jesus Christ is the greater act of redemption. Just as Israel was called to live in light of the Passover and exodus, so believers are called to live in constant remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection. Forgetting redemption always leads to rebellion.
When God says, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth,” He emphasizes Israel’s unique covenant relationship with Him. To “know” in this sense means intimate fellowship, chosen relationship, and covenant commitment. Israel was not chosen because of their righteousness or greatness, but because of God’s sovereign grace. However, this privilege did not shield them from judgment; it increased their responsibility. Because they knew God, received His law, heard His prophets, and experienced His deliverance, they would be held to a higher standard.
Therefore, God declares, “Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” Israel mistakenly believed that because they were God’s chosen people, they would escape judgment. God corrects this deception. Privilege never replaces obedience, and election never cancels accountability. The more light a person or nation receives, the more severe the judgment when that light is rejected. As one preacher rightly observed, those who boast of divine favor ought also to tremble at divine holiness; for privilege does not offer protection from judgment, but rather deepens the responsibility to obey.
2. The Inescapable Logic of God’s Judgment (Amos 3:3–6)
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
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?
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?
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?” (Amos 3:3–6, KJV)
Amos used a series of simple, undeniable truths from everyday life to show that God’s judgment on Israel is neither random nor unjust. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Fellowship requires agreement. Two people do not travel the same path unless they share the same direction and purpose. Israel claimed to be walking with God, yet their lives were in rebellion against His Word. Their sin broke fellowship, and judgment was the logical consequence of this separation. God will not walk in unity with a people who refuse His covenant.
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? A lion only roars when prey is within its grasp. The roar announces that the hunt is successful. God’s warning through the prophets is like the lion’s roar—it means judgment is not distant, but imminent. The sound is not empty; it is proof that the prey has been seized. Israel is the prey, and the voice of Amos is God’s roar.
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? Birds are not caught unless a trap has been deliberately set. Traps do not spring without purpose. Likewise, Israel’s coming disaster was not accidental. God Himself set the snare through invading nations and internal collapse, and it would not be removed until it accomplished its purpose. Divine judgment is never careless; it is carefully placed, patiently timed, and perfectly effective.
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? In ancient Israel, the trumpet blast signaled danger—war, invasion, or urgent warning. When the trumpet sounded, the whole city trembled. Amos was blowing the spiritual trumpet. The proper response was fear, repentance, and returning to God. To hear the trumpet and remain unmoved is the height of foolishness.
Shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? The word “evil” here speaks of calamity or disaster, not moral evil. Amos declares that when calamity strikes a city, it is ultimately under the sovereign control of God. He is not the author of sin, but He is the righteous Judge who brings consequences for sin. No disaster falls outside of His decree. The Assyrian invasion, the famines, the droughts—they are not fate, chance, or bad luck. They are the deliberate actions of the Lord calling His people to repentance.
Israel must understand: just as every cause has an effect and every action has a consequence, so their rebellion must bring judgment. God’s warnings are not empty. His lion roars with purpose, His traps are set with precision, and His trumpet is blown so that sinners may awaken before destruction arrives.
3. The Inevitable Message of the Prophet (Amos 3:7–8)
“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:7–8, KJV)
God makes it clear that His judgment does not fall without warning. In His mercy, He reveals His intentions to His prophets before acting. “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” In context, God is speaking specifically of the coming judgment upon Israel. The Lord had already made His case against Israel through Elijah, Elisha, Hosea, and now Amos. These prophetic warnings were given so that Israel would have every opportunity to repent before judgment fell. God does not delight in destroying; He delights in giving space to repent. His revelation is an act of mercy before His judgment is an act of justice.
Throughout Scripture, God makes known many of His purposes, but not all. He especially reveals warnings of coming judgment so that no one can claim surprise and so that repentance remains possible. As one commentator put it, God reveals these secrets “that they may inform the people; that, by repentance and conversion, they may avoid the evil, and, by walking closely with God, secure the continuance of his favour.” Yet this principle does not mean that God reveals every future event to a prophet before it happens. For example, in Ephesians 3:5, Paul explained that the mystery of the Church—Jews and Gentiles united in one body in Christ—was “not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” This shows that God may at times hide truths until His appointed moment. But when it comes to judgment upon His covenant people, He makes it known through His prophets.
Then Amos presses the point with vivid imagery: “The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?” Amos is essentially saying, “I have no choice but to speak.” Just as it is natural for a man to tremble when a lion roars nearby, it is just as natural—even unavoidable—for a true prophet to proclaim what God has said. When the Lord speaks, silence is impossible. Amos is not speaking because he enjoys declaring judgment, but because he fears God more than man. He is compelled by divine command. His message may be unpopular, but it is unavoidable.
In this, Amos defends his calling: do not blame the prophet who delivers the message; blame the people whose sin made the message necessary. God has spoken; the lion has roared; judgment is coming. The only right response is repentance and submission to the Word of the Lord.
4. The Message of Judgment Announced to the Surrounding Nations (Amos 3:9–10)
“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.
For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.” (Amos 3:9–10, KJV)
God now commands a public proclamation of Israel’s sin — not to Israel alone, but to the surrounding nations. “Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt.” Ashdod represents Philistia, longstanding enemies of Israel; Egypt represents their ancient oppressors. God calls these pagan nations as witnesses to Israel’s corruption. This is shocking. Israel, who once looked down upon Egypt and the Philistines as morally depraved, is now so corrupt that even these nations are summoned to witness her guilt. God is effectively saying, “Come, you nations who know nothing of My covenant, look at My people and see how far they have fallen.”
These nations are invited to stand “upon the mountains of Samaria” — the hills surrounding the capital city of the northern kingdom — and observe for themselves the moral confusion and social injustice within. God describes Israel with two piercing charges: “great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.” The city was filled with noise, chaos, unrest, and violence. The rich exploited the poor, the courts were corrupt, and the weak had no protection. Israel, called to be a light to the Gentiles, had instead become a spectacle of wickedness before the Gentiles.
God explains the root of this corruption: “For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.” Israel had sinned for so long and hardened their hearts so deeply that they no longer knew how to do right. Conscience was dead. Law was ignored. Truth and righteousness were forgotten. Instead of storing up righteousness or mercy, they stored up violence and robbery. Their wealth, their luxurious houses, their palaces — all were built through oppression, theft, and exploitation.
This rebuke is powerful for two reasons. First, Israel is judged not only by God’s covenant law, but by universal moral standards that even pagan nations would recognize. Even Egypt and Philistia, notorious for brutality, could look at Israel and see the injustice. Second, God makes clear that judgment is completely justified. He invites the world to inspect the evidence before He executes the sentence upon Israel.
Israel, who thought of herself as morally superior, must now stand trial before the nations she despised. Their sin has become so public, so undeniable, that even their enemies can serve as witnesses for the prosecution.
B. The Destruction God’s Judgment Brings
1. Israel Will Be Conquered and Exiled (Amos 3:11–12)
“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.
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.” (Amos 3:11–12, KJV)
God now declares the consequence of Israel’s sin: “An adversary there shall be even round about the land.” The judgment would come in the form of a foreign invader, surrounding the land and cutting off every means of escape. This prophecy was fulfilled when the Assyrian Empire invaded the northern kingdom of Israel. Within thirty years of Amos’ message, Israel was forced into submission, paying heavy tribute to Assyria. Within forty years, the judgment was complete — Samaria fell in 722 B.C., the kingdom was destroyed, and the people were taken into exile. This was not coincidence or political misfortune. This was the direct execution of God’s decree.
God says of this adversary, “he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.” Israel prided herself in her military power, strong defenses, and luxurious palaces. None of it would stand. Her fortresses would be broken, and the wealth stored in the homes of the elite — wealth gained through oppression and exploitation — would be plundered by the enemy. What they trusted in would be taken from them.
The Lord continues with a vivid illustration: “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.” According to Exodus 22:10–13, if an animal under the care of a shepherd was torn by a wild beast, the shepherd did not need to repay the owner, as long as he could bring pieces of the remains — such as bones, legs, or an ear — as proof that it had been devoured. Amos uses this image to show how complete Israel’s destruction would be. When the Assyrians were done, only fragments would remain. There would be no glorious rescue, only remnants — proof that the nation had been thoroughly consumed by judgment.
Even those who lived in comfort and false security — “that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch” — would not escape. The imagery refers to the wealthy reclining in luxury on soft, expensive furniture. They imagined themselves untouchable, shielded by wealth, status, and influence. But the lion of judgment would reach even there. The upper class would be dragged away like scraps from a lion’s jaws.
This prophecy was fulfilled exactly. Around 732 B.C., Israel became a vassal to Assyria. Ten years later, after rebellion, Shalmaneser V and later Sargon II besieged Samaria for three years. In 722 B.C., Israel fell. Palaces were burned. Leaders were deported. The people were scattered throughout the Assyrian Empire, never to return as a nation. Just as Amos said, only remnants remained — fragments of a once-privileged nation devoured by judgment.
2. Judgment on Wicked Places (Amos 3:13–15)
“Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,
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.
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.” (Amos 3:13–15, KJV)
God commands witnesses to “hear and testify” against the house of Jacob, meaning the whole nation of Israel. He identifies Himself as “the Lord GOD, the God of hosts” — the sovereign Commander of all heavenly armies — emphasizing that His words are not empty threats, but declarations backed by divine power and authority. He announces a day when He will “visit the transgressions of Israel upon him,” meaning the time has come when their sin will no longer be overlooked but judged openly and decisively.
God specifically targets Bethel, the main center of idolatry in the northern kingdom. “I will also visit the altars of Bethel: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.” Bethel was the religious capital of the northern kingdom under Jeroboam I, who set up golden calves and false altars there (1 Kings 12:28–33). Instead of worshiping at Jerusalem as God commanded, Israel built their own system of worship. Now God says He Himself will destroy those altars. The “horns of the altar” — located at the four corners — symbolized strength, security, and even asylum (Exodus 27:2; 1 Kings 1:50). By cutting them off, God declares that Bethel’s false religion has no power, no protection, and no forgiveness. What was built in rebellion will now be torn down by judgment.
But God’s judgment does not stop at religious corruption. It also targets material luxury, wealth, and greed. “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 wealthy elites of Israel had multiple homes — summer houses to escape the heat and winter houses for comfort. Some were decorated with ivory panels, symbols of extravagance and opulence (see also Amos 6:4; 1 Kings 22:39). These houses were not merely signs of prosperity; they were the fruit of injustice and oppression. The poor were crushed, the righteous were silenced, and the rich built palaces off the back of the helpless. God declares that every one of these houses — elegant, fortified, luxurious — will perish. The invading Assyrians would burn them, loot them, and leave them in ruins.
Archaeological evidence confirms Amos’ words. In cities like Tirzah and Samaria, excavations show a dramatic shift in housing beginning in the eighth century B.C. There are two distinct neighborhoods: one with large, lavish houses full of luxury goods; the other with small, cramped homes poorer than previous generations. This illustrates the widening gap between rich and poor — evidence of social oppression. Yet God says the palaces of the rich will fall just like the altars of Bethel. Their wealth would not protect them from His judgment.
The message is clear: God will tear down both false religion and unjust luxury. Wherever idolatry is built, God will destroy it. Wherever wealth is gained by oppression, God’s judgment will reach it. No altar and no palace can stand when the Lord of Hosts rises to judge His people.
