Amos 3:1-8 The Prophet Speaks For The Roaring Lion.

In contrast to Israel’s desire to silence the prophets, Amos with boldness speaks “this word that the LORD” had spoken against the children of Israel which the LORD had brought out of Egypt (v. 1). “This solemn command occurs again at 4:1 and 5:1, and echoes commands to hear and obey the Lord (sic) in the original covenantal documents (Dt. 4:1; 5:1; 6:3). It occurs regularly in covenant lawsuit material (Jer. 2:4; Hos. 4:1)” (NGSB. p.1397). Many see in these verses and beyond them, some even to the entire book, a covenant lawsuit structure. The point was that this word of judgment came upon His covenanted nation (v. 2 Cf. Gen. 18:19; Ex. 19:5-6; Dt. 7:6; Ps. 147:19-20; Ezek. 20:36). Being in covenant means that “two walk together,” and to do so they must be in agreement (v. 3). The LORD was roaring like a lion because he had His prey-those justly caught in their evil (vv. 4-6). “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (v. 7 Cf. Gen. 6:13; 18:17; Jer. 23:22; Dan. 9:22; Jn. 15:15). The Lion roared and the people did not fear. “The Lord God has spoken” (v. 8)! The prophet could not but prophesy (Cf. Jer. 20:9; Mic. 3:8; Acts 4:20; I Cor. 9:16).