8 “The lion has roared” sounds an alarm. There is indeed cause for fear, though not from any lion or blast of a trumpet; it is Yahweh’s voice through his prophet that should strike fear in people’s hearts. Yahweh is no longer stalking quietly (cf. v. 4)—he has pounced! He has spoken, and no one can contravene his word. So Amos pronounces judgment on the people. For a possible connection with 1:2, see comments on 1:2.[1]
The effect God’s warnings should have (3:8)
a. The people should fear (3:8a). Half of the dispute is settled already. The audience knows that the punishment announced in 3:2b is a warning of what God will do. But the dispute for human hearts, which are the object of the dispute, is still to be settled. If there is no positive response to the mind’s understanding of the message, the dispute will fail to cause its intended results. Thus Amos calls for a personal decision of the heart and will. This shift is revealed in the change in style which contrasts a statement of fact (3:7) with a call for a response (3:8). In the process Amos integrates earlier images (3:4–6) and applies them to the present human situation. The hypothetical attack of a lion becomes reality, and the sound of the trumpet warning is heard. God’s word is the warning and God is the lion (1:2). Since he has roared, he must be in the process of attacking his prey (3:4). This roar is like a trumpet blast which warns a city (3:6); this roar is the prophet’s message of judgment that precedes God’s action (3:7). Is it possible that men will not fear? What other results could this warning cause? A response of fear is necessary if the two parties are to walk together in unity again (3:3).
b. The prophet should warn (3:8b). To encourage this response, Amos identifies the source of his message. This message of punishment is what God has spoken. It is impossible for a man to ignore such a warning and not proclaim it. Amos responded in fear and gave this unpopular prophecy. Now he calls on the nation to respond in fear. The context implies (3:6) that this fear is a trembling before the almighty power of God which determines each person’s destiny. In later chapters he will call for a fuller response. At this point Amos is calling on the people to take the first step and accept the fact that God has announced the judgment of Israel.[2]
3:8 Two more rhetorical questions complete the group of nine (vv. 3–6). It would do Israel no good to forbid prophecy (2:12; 7:13, 16); the true prophet must prophesy, just as certainly as God’s judgment must come to pass.[3]
3:8 who can but prophesy. Just as a lion’s voice evokes fear, so the voice of the Lord compels the prophets to proclaim His word (Deut. 18:18; cf. 1 Cor. 9:16).[4]
[1] McComiskey, T. E., & Longman, T., III. (2008). Amos. In D. E. Garland (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Daniel–Malachi (Revised Edition) (Vol. 8, p. 382). Zondervan.
[2] Smith, G. V. (1998). Amos (p. 153). Mentor.
[3] Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible commentary (p. 1051). T. Nelson Publishers.
[4] Sproul, R. C., ed. (2005). The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (p. 1270). Ligonier Ministries.
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