Amos 3 Commentary

Amos 3 introduces the theme that runs throughout the rest of the book: Israel's special covenant relationship with the LORD. Because the Israelites have violated that special covenant, Amos uses a series of rhetorical questions to announce judgment on them. Then, the prophet describes the oppressions and tumult within Samaria and predicts that God will use a foreign nation to judge His chosen people, to punish them measure for measure. As a result, the altars of Bethel and the great houses of the land will be destroyed. The tripartite division of the chapter is as follows:

1. Amos reminds the Israelites of their special covenant relationship with the Suzerain God, the violation of which requires special punishment (vv. 1–2).
2. Amos uses a series of rhetorical questions to announce judgment on the disobedient Israelites (vv. 3–8)
3. Amos describes the oppressions and tumult within Samaria and predicts that God will use a foreign nation to judge His own people. As a result, the altars of Bethel and the great houses in Israel will be destroyed (vv. 9–15).