Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12
Chapter 3
I Will Hold You Accountable
Hear this word that the Lord speaks against you, people of Israel, and against the entire family he brought up from Egypt.I have known only you among all the families of the earth; therefore, I will hold you accountable for all your wrongdoings.
Do two people walk together unless they have agreed?
Does a lion roar in the forest when it has no prey? Does a young lion growl in its den unless it has caught something?
Does a bird get caught in a snare if the snare hasn’t been baited? Does a tiger spring up from the ground unless it has caught something?
If a trumpet sounds in a city, won’t the people be frightened? If disaster strikes a city, has not the Lord caused it?
Yet the Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants, the prophets.
If the lion roars, who will not be afraid? If the Lord speaks, who will not prophesy?
Chapter 4
“I overthrew you as a divine punishment, just like what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah; you were like a brand snatchedfrom the fire, yet you have never returned to me,” says the Lord.
“Therefore, I will handle you in my own way, Israel. And since I will do this to you, prepare yourself, Israel, to meet your God!”
Commentaries
Title.
This section explains why the northern kingdom will be judged. The first three oracles start with the phrase “Hear this word” (3:1; 4:1; 5:1). These are followed by three “woes” as warnings (5:7; 5:18; 6:1) to those who refuse to listen.
I Will Hold You Accountable.
The primary reason for divine judgment is that, despite Israel being God’s chosen people, violence, oppression, injustice, and idolatry prevail among them (3:1-15). The history of Israel is preceded by the announcements and revelations of the prophets (3:7-8). As the people of the covenant, to whom God reveals his identity and power (Ex 19:3-6), Israel bears greater responsibility than other peoples, which is why they are called to listen to the voice of the prophets (3:9-10).
Another reason for judgment is represented by the women of Samaria who live in luxury and opulence at the expense of the poor, displaying hypocrisy and stubbornness. The prophet sarcastically calls them “cows of Bashan,” referring to a region with rich pasture where cattle were fattened (4:1-3). Ironically, the prophet urges the Israelites to go up to the shrines of Bethel and Gilgal to sin, because their worship is false and hypocritical: it was corrupted by abuse and oppression of the poor (4:4-5; cf. Col 3:5).
Vain Warnings.
Disobedience to the Sinai covenant results in God’s punishment. Famine, drought, and plagues are God’s ways of trying to bring his people back to him. Still, Israel ignores this persistent call to turn around. This section ends with a praise hymn or doxology to God the Creator (13).