Chosen Means Accountable
Study note
God addresses all the people of Israel, reminding them that He brought them out of Egypt. Because God chose Israel above all nations, they are held to a higher standard. Their special relationship with God does not protect them from punishment -- it actually makes them more accountable for their sins.
1 Listen to this message that the LORD has spoken about you, people of Israel. It is about the whole family I brought out of Egypt. 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 "Out of every family on the planet, I chose you and you alone. And that is exactly why I will hold you accountable for every sin." You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Nothing Happens Without a Reason
Study note
Amos asks a series of questions to make a simple point: everything has a cause. Two people walk together because they agreed to meet. A lion roars because it has caught its prey. A bird falls into a trap because the trap was set. In the same way, when God sends a prophet to warn, it is because judgment is already on the way. The famous verse 3:7 declares that God always reveals His plans to His prophets before He acts.
3 Do two people walk down the same road together unless they planned to meet? Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
4 Does a lion roar in the jungle when there is nothing to hunt? Does a young lion growl from inside its cave unless it has caught something? 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 Does a bird land in a trap unless there is bait? Does a trap snap shut if nothing sets it off? 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 When a warning trumpet blares through a city, do people not tremble? When disaster hits a city, is the LORD not behind it? 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 The truth is, the Lord GOD never does anything without first letting his servants the prophets in on the secret. Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
8 A lion has roared — who would not be terrified? The Lord GOD has spoken — how could anyone refuse to deliver his message? The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
Samaria's Corruption Exposed
Study note
God invites the pagan nations of Ashdod and Egypt to come see the terrible disorder and oppression inside Samaria, the capital of Israel. The people have become so corrupt that they no longer even know how to do what is right. They store up stolen goods in their palaces. Just as a shepherd rescues only a couple of legs or an ear from a lion's mouth, so only a tiny remnant of Israel will survive.
9 Shout this from the rooftops of Ashdod and Egypt. "Come to the hills above Samaria. See the chaos and cruelty there." 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 "They have forgotten what it even means to do the right thing," the LORD says. "Their palaces are stuffed with things stolen through violence and crime." For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
11 So the Lord GOD says: "An enemy will surround the land, tear down your defenses, and loot your palaces." 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 The LORD says: "When a shepherd tries to save a sheep from a lion's mouth, he might pull out two leg bones or a torn ear. That is all that is left. That is how little will be saved of the Israelites in Samaria. Nothing but scraps, like a corner of a couch or a piece of a bed frame." 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.
Destruction of Israel's Wealth
Study note
God warns that when He punishes Israel, He will destroy both their false worship centers and their luxury homes. The altars at Bethel, which Jeroboam I had set up as rivals to the Jerusalem temple, will be torn down. The wealthy had built separate winter and summer homes decorated with ivory. All of these would be destroyed.
13 "Listen closely and bring this warning to the children of Jacob," says the Lord GOD, the God of Armies. Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, saith the Lord GOD, the God of hosts,
14 "When the day comes for me to punish Israel's sins, I will also demolish the altars of Bethel. The decorative horns on the altar will be chopped off and crash to the ground." That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Beth-el: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.
15 "I will knock down the winter house and the summer house both. The mansions decorated with ivory will be destroyed, and all the big houses will be gone for good," the LORD says. 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.