Amo 3:3, 8 | JFB | STEP | 3-6. Here follow several questions of a parable-like kind, to awaken conviction in the people. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? —Can God's prophets be so unanimous in prophesying against you, if God's Spirit were not joined with them, or if their prophecies were false? The Israelites were "at ease," not believing that God was with the prophets in their denunciations of coming ruin to the nation ( ; compare ). This accords with . So "I will be with thy mouth" ( ). If the prophets and God were not agreed, the former could not predict the future as they do. In He had said, the Israelites forbade the prophets prophesying; therefore, in , He asserts the agreement between the prophets and God who spake by them against Israel [ROSENMULLER ]. Rather, "I once walked with you" ( ) as a Father and Husband ( ); but now your way and Mine are utterly diverse; there can therefore be no fellowship between us such as there was ( ); I will walk with you only to "punish you"; as a "lion" walks with his "prey" ( ), as a bird-catcher with a bird [TARNOVIUS ]. The prophets, and all servants of God, can have no fellowship with the ungodly ( ).

Amos 3:3

3-6. Here follow several questions of a parable-like kind, to awaken conviction in the people.

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?—Can God's prophets be so unanimous in prophesying against you, if God's Spirit were not joined with them, or if their prophecies were false? The Israelites were "at ease," not believing that God was with the prophets in their denunciations of coming ruin to the nation (Am 6:1, 3; compare 1Ki 22:18, 24, 27; Jer 43:2). This accords with Am 3:7, 8. So "I will be with thy mouth" (Ex 4:12; Jer 1:8; Mt 10:20). If the prophets and God were not agreed, the former could not predict the future as they do. In Am 2:12 He had said, the Israelites forbade the prophets prophesying; therefore, in Am 3:3, 8, He asserts the agreement between the prophets and God who spake by them against Israel [ROSENMULLER]. Rather, "I once walked with you" (Le 26:12) as a Father and Husband (Isa 54:5; Jer 3:14); but now your way and Mine are utterly diverse; there can therefore be no fellowship between us such as there was (Am 3:2); I will walk with you only to "punish you"; as a "lion" walks with his "prey" (Am 3:4), as a bird-catcher with a bird [TARNOVIUS]. The prophets, and all servants of God, can have no fellowship with the ungodly (Ps 119:63; 2Co 6:16, 17; Eph 5:11; Jas 4:4).

Amos 3:8

8. As when "the lion roars" (compare Am 1:2; Am 3:4), none can help but "fear," so when Jehovah communicates His awful message, the prophet cannot but prophesy. Find not fault with me for prophesying; I must obey God. In a wider sense true of all believers (Ac 4:20; 5:29).