Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
When the sound of alarm is trumpeted by the watchman in the city, the people are sure to run to and fro in alarm (Hebrew, literally). Yet Israel is not alarmed, though God threatens judgments.
shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?--This is the explanation of the preceding similes: God is the Author of all the calamities which come upon you, and which are foretold by His prophets. The evil of sin is from ourselves; the evil of trouble is from God, whoever be the instruments.
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 (Amos 6:1, Amos 6:3; compare 1 Kings 22:18, 1 Kings 22:24, 1 Kings 22:27; Jeremiah 43:2). This accords with Amos 3:7-8. So "I will be with thy mouth" (Exodus 4:12; Jeremiah 1:8; Matthew 10:20). If the prophets and God were not agreed, the former could not predict the future as they do. In Amos 2:12 He had said, the Israelites forbade the prophets prophesying; therefore, in Amos 3:3, Amos 3:8, He asserts the agreement between the prophets and God who spake by them against Israel [ROSENMULLER]. Rather, "I once walked with you" (Leviticus 26:12) as a Father and Husband (Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3:14); but now your way and Mine are utterly diverse; there can therefore be no fellowship between us such as there was (Amos 3:2); I will walk with you only to "punish you"; as a "lion" walks with his "prey" (Amos 3:4), as a bird-catcher with a bird [TARNOVIUS]. The prophets, and all servants of God, can have no fellowship with the ungodly (Psalms 119:63; 2 Corinthians 6:16-17; Ephesians 5:11; James 4:4).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Isaiah 45:7
Lamentations 3:38
Joel 2:1
Amos 3:1
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