The Lion Roars
Passage: Amos 3:1-8
Amos was a herdsman from Judah sent to Israel.
Overview
'The LORD will roar from Zion.' God judges nations around Israel, then Israel itself: 'You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you.' 'The lion hath roared, who will not fear?'
Going deeper
Privilege brings responsibility. God's people are judged by a higher standard.
Key verses (KJV)
- Amos 3:2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
- Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
- Amos 3:8 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
From the commentaries
2. You only have I known—that is, acknowledged as My people, and treated with peculiar favor (Ex 19:5; De 4:20). Compare the use of "know," Ps 1:6; 144:3; Joh 10:14; 2Ti 2:19. therefore I will punish—the greater the privileges, the heavier the punishment for the abuse of them; for to the other offenses there is added, in this case, ingratitude. When God's people do not glorify Him, He glorifies Himself by punishing them.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871)
Verse 2 You only have I known - I have taken no other people to be my own people. I have approved of you, loved you, fed, sustained, and defended you; but because you have forsaken me, have become idolatrous and polluted, therefore will I punish you. And the punishment shall be in proportion to the privileges you have enjoyed, and the grace you have abused.
Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary (1810-1826)
The Prophet afterwards declares what he had in charge, Only you have I known of all the families of the earth: I will therefore visit you for your iniquities. Many think that he still concedes to the Israelites what they were wont to boast of, — that they were separated from the common class of men, because the Lord had adopted them: but it seems rather to be a reproach cast on them. ...
John Calvin, John Calvin's Commentaries (16th century, Calvin Translation Society, 1840s-1850s)
Application
- Why does privilege mean responsibility?
- What does God reveal to his prophets?
- How should God's 'roar' affect us?