Amos 3 Flashcards - Ted Hildebrandt

Unique Relationship with Israel

• God declared Israel as unique among all families of the earth for being the only ones He had chosen.
• This special relationship emphasizes Israel's significance in God's plan.

Agreement to Walk Together

• Two individuals can only walk together if they have agreed to do so, highlighting the importance of mutual consent in relationships and actions.

Symbolism of Roaring Lion

• A lion does not roar when it has no prey, symbolizing a lack of power or dominance when essential needs are unmet.

Bird and Trap Metaphor

• A bird falls into a trap only when the snare has been set, underlining the inevitability of consequences once traps are in place.

Response to Alarm in the City

• People tremble when the trumpet is sounded, indicating urgency and fear in the face of impending danger or disaster.

Source of Disaster

• When disaster befalls a city, it is attributed to the Lord, reflecting divine sovereignty over events.

Revelation to Prophets

• The Sovereign Lord reveals His plans to the prophets before taking action, ensuring they are informed messengers of His will.

Title for Prophets

• Amos refers to the prophets as God's servants, signifying their role as facilitators of divine communication.

Roaring Lion and Human Response

• The proper human response to the lion roaring is fear, showcasing a natural instinct to react to threats.

Prophetic Duty

• The command following the Lord’s speech is for people to prophesy, emphasizing the call to declare God’s messages.

Locations of God’s Message

• God proclaims His message to the fortresses of Ashdod and Egypt, indicating areas of strategic importance.

Assembly Declaration

• God instructs the assembly on the mountains of Samaria, a location significant for communal gathering and confrontation.

Presence of Oppression

• The mountains of Samaria are marked by oppression, revealing social injustices prevalent among the people.

Ignorance of Justice

• Those who hoard plunder are described as not knowing what is right, criticizing moral failures among the wealthy.

Plundered Fortresses

• The fortresses of the people have been looted, indicating vulnerability and loss of security within the community.

Threat of the Enemy

• An enemy is projected to overrun the land, representing impending invasion or attack, contributing to fears of destruction.

Actions of the Enemy

• The enemy will plunder the fortresses, symbolizing loss of safety and wealth, resulting in despair among the populace.

Shepherd and Lion's Prey

• A shepherd saves two leg bones and a piece of ear from a lion, illustrating the minimal salvage from otherwise total devastation.

Cities Representing Salvation

• Samaria and Damascus are metaphorically represented as cities from which remnants will be saved, hinting at divine preservation despite turmoil.

Destruction on the Day of Punishment

• God will destroy the altars of Bethel as an act of judgment against the house of Jacob, targeting sites of idolatry.

Cutting Off the Altar's Horns

• On the day of punishment, the horns of the altar will be cut off, symbolizing a complete destruction of the old places of worship.

Destruction of Luxury Houses

• God declares that both winter and summer houses will be torn down, signaling total devastation of comfort and privilege among the people.