(REFLECTIONS ON Amos 3:1-15)

1 Hear this word which the Lord has spoken against you, sons of Israel, against the entire family which He brought up from the land of Egypt:

The Lord does not just have words for those outside His covenant, but also for those in covenant with Him. That is because Israel has broken their covenant with the Lord.

In the same way, the Lord does not just have words for the Gentiles, but also for the Jews, and not only for unbelievers, but perhaps even more for believers.

Yes, we who have been bought with a price, that have proclaimed Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, that have tasted the sweetness of the Holy Spirit, the Lord has a word for us.

8 A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?

Jesus Christ, the Lamb that was slain for our sins, is also spoken about in the Bible as the Lion. He is the Lamb, because He didn’t come to conquer with a massive force of angels in order to annihilate all of creation, and He is the Lion as well making Jesus the Servant King.

The Lion has roared! Who will not fear? Who will not pay attention? Who will not hear, be in awe, bow down in reverence, because the Servant King has roared.

The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy? Who can but speak what the Lord has spoken? Why do we still speak the word of the world, of humanity, of our own voice? Why are we still speaking our voice against the world, but not speaking His Word to ourselves, our communities, and to the body of Christ?

Yes, the Lord, Jesus Christ is the Lamb that was slain, and in Him we have salvation, hope, and forgiveness, but He is also the Lion, the Servant King, and His Word is speaking to the body of Christ, calling us back to Him, not just as our Savior, but our Lord, God, and King!

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Amos 3