Effect and Cause

 

Amos 3:3 “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?
4 Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing?
5 Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it?
Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing?
6 Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid?
Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?

As Amos wraps up his warnings to the people of Israel concerning their coming judgment, he announces the finality of it all and asks these questions.  Each poetically represents a situation of cause and effect, with the effect indicating the cause.  An action is taken because a decision has been made. God had long ago decided to judge. The only reason it had not happened yet was because when people had repented, He had relented.  But judgment was going to come regardless. It was only a matter of time, and that was running out.