Amos 3

DISCOURSES OF WARNING AND EXHORTATION, Amos 3:1 to Amos 6:14. Chapters 3-6 form the main part of the Book of Amos. It consists of several discourses, in which the indictment and sentence of Amos 2:6-16, are expanded and justified. Most commentators divide the chapters into three discourses, new starts being made with Amos 3:1; Amos 4:1; Amos 5:1. The advantage of this division is that each section begins with the solemn summons, “Hear ye.” Nevertheless, it seems more accurate to distinguish four, or even five, discourses, beginning with Amos 3:1; Amos 4:4; Amos 5:1; Amos 5:18; Amos 6:1.

ADDRESS INTENDED PRIMARILY FOR THE RULING CLASSES Amos 3:1 to Amos 4:3.

Two fundamental religious misapprehensions of the common people were (1) that Jehovah was interested solely in the affairs of Israel, (2) that he was arbitrary in his dealings with men, especially in his dealings with Israel as compared with his treatment of other nations. Amos sets himself to rectify these misconceptions. He makes the attempt in chapters i and ii by showing that Jehovah’s rule extends over all nations. In Amos 3:1-2, he repeats the attempt in a more startling manner. That Jehovah had known Israel in a special sense, Amos does not question, but he does deny that the special care of Jehovah for the nation in the past is a guarantee of the continuation of the divine favor or of the nation’s safety irrespective of their present life and conduct. The prophet points out briefly that the popular belief is unwarranted, that the inferences drawn from the divine choice are false, that this choice brought to Israel certain privileges, and that these privileges involved special obligations. Since they failed to meet these obligations the fact of their divine choice only increased their guilt, and now makes inevitable their punishment by a righteous God.

This new and startling announcement would arouse derision and opposition. To ward off these the prophet proceeds to point out that, strange as the declaration may seem, it is of Jehovah (Amos 3:3-8). In 9ff. he calls upon the surrounding nations to testify against Israel. The privileges of Israel were superior to those of other nations, nevertheless their crimes are so heinous that they startle even heathen nations (Amos 3:9-10). This condition of affairs makes judgment inevitable (Amos 3:11-15). A special judgment will fall upon the luxury-loving and self-indulgent ladies of the capital, who are in part responsible for the prevailing corruption (Amos 4:1-3).