Dusk in the wilderness: a maned lion stands on a rocky ridge with its head raised in a roar, bare slopes falling away below, and a calm, empty dusk sky above.

Hear this word

Amos 3

When God has spoken, the only question is who will listen.

15 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–2The nations judgedEight oracles, closing on Israel
3–5:17Hear this wordThree messages to SamariaChapter 3
5:18–6Woe to those at easeThe Day of the LORD, and Zion’s comfort
7–9:10Five visionsLocusts, fire, plumb line, fruit, the altar
9:11–15The fallen tent raisedRuins rebuilt, vineyards planted

Witnesses against Israel

God

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

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

God

“Only you have I known

from all the families of the earth;

therefore I will punish you

for all your iniquities.”

Amos

Can two walk together

without agreeing where to go?

Amos 3:3

Amos

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing

without revealing His plan

to His servants the prophets.

The lion has roared—

who will not fear?

The Lord GOD has spoken—

who will not prophesy?

Nothing without a cause

Whiteboard

Every effect has a cause. Amos speaks because God has spoken.

Reflect

Who will not prophesy?

Amos could not keep quiet once the LORD had spoken. Has God shown you something you have been slow to say to anyone? Write down what it is, and who needs to hear it.

God

Late afternoon: Samaria finished, a walled city crowning its rounded hill, the royal palace of fine pale stone on the summit inside an inner wall, terraced olive slopes below and roads winding up from the green valleys.

Proclaim to the citadels of Ashdod

and to the citadels of Egypt:

“Assemble on the mountains of Samaria;

see the great unrest in the city

and the acts of oppression in her midst.”

God

“For they know not how to do right,”

declares the LORD.

“They store up violence and destruction

in their citadels.”

God

Early morning from a hillside far to the east: the rounded hill of Samaria stands far off under a thin gray haze, its walls broken, while a long thin line of tiny walking people with bundles and donkeys winds away along a valley road.

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says:

“An enemy will surround the land;

he will pull down your strongholds

and plunder your citadels.”

0:08

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

God

In the rubble of a fallen stone house, one broken couch leg inlaid with small carved ivory plaques lies beside a torn embroidered cushion, all under gray dust.

This is what the LORD says:

“As the shepherd snatches from the mouth of the lion

two legs or a piece of an ear,

so the Israelites dwelling in Samaria will be rescued

having just the corner of a bed

or the cushion of a couch.

Question

Quick question

A shepherd comes home from the hills carrying almost nothing: “two legs or a piece of an ear.”

In 3:12, why does a shepherd bring back two legs or a piece of an ear?

God

Bethel’s high place in flat gray light: a big stone altar on a raised platform of squared stones, one corner horn snapped off and lying on the paving, cold ash, weeds, no one.

Hear and testify against the house of Jacob,

declares the Lord GOD, the God of Hosts.

On the day I punish Israel for their transgressions,

I will visit destruction on the altars of Bethel;

the horns of the altar will be cut off,

and they will fall to the ground.

God

God

I will tear down the winter house

along with the summer house;

the houses of ivory will also perish,

and the great houses will come to an end,”

declares the LORD.

You’ve experienced

Amos 3

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A verse to carry with you

Can two walk together without agreeing where to go?

Amos 3:3

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