Verses 1-2 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.
The prophet Amos commands the house of Israel to hear. The Hebrew word translated as “hear” is “shama” and it means to hear, listen to with attention or interest, and to obey. The Hebrew word translated as “word” is “dabar” and it means speech, word, speaking, a thing or saying or utterance. The Hebrew word translated as “this” is “zeh” and it means this one or that which is here. So this word from God was important and the people needed to pay attention to it as this word was spoken against them. The prophet reminds them through the words given to him by God that it was God who brought them out of Egyptian slavery or bondage and that they were the only people He has chosen to serve Him and represent Him out of all the people groups on the Earth. As a result of this privilege there had to be accountability and the Hebrew people would be punished for their rebellion and their sin against the LORD.
Verse 3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
The answer to this question is of course, “no”. Two may walk, but if they are not in agreement they will not be together. This obvious fact applies to all interactions mankind engages in such as marriage and raising children to business practices and church involvement. Agreement joins but disagreement separates. Because the Hebrew nation rebelled against the law of God and were in disagreement with Him, they walked contrary to His will and joined themselves to heathen or pagan nations who were ruled by Satan and his demonic fallen angels.
Application: It is impossible for a Christian believer to walk both in the Kingdom of God (spiritual) and in the kingdoms of Earth (physical). “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” Matthew 6:24 Mammon means treasures or riches, and the Hebrew nation sought blessings of many kinds including wealth from the fake foreign gods of the nations around them. They were not content with the provisions of God Almighty, although they were continually reminded of how He took them out of Egypt with all the wealth of that nation given to them by the Egyptians who were glad to see them go. When they aligned themselves with pagan nations, they despised the governance of the LORD. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:17 To stay in a right relationship with the LORD, the Christian believer has to separate from the things of this world and not embrace and love the mammon and power that Satan offers.
Verses 4-8 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? 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?
The prophet Amos asks some questions that demonstrate cause and effect situations. A lion most likely will not roar if not engaged in catching prey. A bird will not come to a snare if there is no bait to lure it. A man will not remove a snare if it is empty as that would be pointless. A trumpet will not sound in a city unless there is danger as that would simply cause alarm and fear needlessly. And since God is in control, the prophet Amos points out the He will do nothing without revealing His will to His prophets and then the prophets are to warn the people, which is what this book of Amos is all about.
Application: Regarding verses seven and eight above: God always lets His people know in advance when He is going to do a work. Therefore, His people need to understand events and circumstances when they happen in light of His Word. Some today do not believe there are prophets any more, but if God is still working in the lives of His people, then He is still revealing His plans (secrets) to prophets. Biblical prophecy is not fortune telling or predicting the future. Biblical prophecy is bringing forth that which God has already spoken – His Word. Prophecy is one of the nine spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:28. “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” So remember, God does not do anything before revealing His plans to those of His people who are listening. Just as one cannot ignore the roar of a lion, which is a fearful sound, when God “roars” or speaks to His servants, they must respond and prophesy to the people. It is a thing of awe that a holy God would reveal His perfect plans to mortal men and women.
Verses 9-12 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. 10 For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces. 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.
Ashdod was a major Philistine city west from Jerusalem located on the Mediterranean Sea. The name means “powerful”. Samaria was northern Palestine and the home of the 10 tribes of Israel which split from the kingdom during the reign of king Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. The name means “watch mountain”. And of course Egypt was to the east of Palestine and the name means “land of the Copts”. Throughout Scripture, Egypt is a picture or metaphor for bondage and idolatry. The punishment that Israel would receive because of their transgressions included their strongholds being destroyed and their wealth being taken away. So just as a lion rends to pieces his prey, so shall Israel be rent and torn apart by an adversary which history records to have been the nation Assyria.
Application: Throughout history, God has used one nation to bring judgement upon another nation. Both nations can be wicked, as was the case in the verses above. The people of Samaria no longer could tell right from wrong and there was violence and turmoil. And the nation Egypt was not going to be unscathed when God brought judgement in the form of another wicked nation, Assyria, conquering the region and becoming another one-world government.
Verses 13-15 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. (Amos 3)
The “house of Jacob” is the nation Israel. The patriarch Jacob’s name was changed by God to Israel. So the house of Jacob refers to the 10 northern tribes whereas the house of Judah refers to the southern kingdom. Likewise, Judah would not escape judgement and punishment either because of their disobedience towards God and their worship of idols. The wealth of the nation would be taken away. Bethel means “house of God” and was an ancient place and seat of worship on the border of Benjamin. Because it had become a place for Satan, God was going to cleanse it as well by removing its power and influence and the religious system was to fall along with the nation.
Application: The prophet Amos refers to God as the God of hosts. The Hebrew word translated as “host” is “tsaba” and it means that which goes forth, an army, warfare, the sun, moon and stars, or the whole creation. God is the LORD of the whole creation, and as such, He is the God of all the nations regardless of whether the people acknowledge Him or not. He can and will direct heathen nations according to His will.