Having established that his message really does come from God, Amos then goes on to confirm the promised judgment in Amos 3:9–15. There are four things which he emphasizes regarding this judgment:

1.       God’s judgment will be fair. In keeping with the Mosaic law, two witnesses are summoned before the death sentence is pronounced. Ashdod and Egypt, neither of them are godly or honourable nations, but they will confirm that Israel has not walked in the ways of the Lord. God’s covenant people do not know how to do right. They store up violence and robbery in their strongholds.

2.       God’s judgment will come by the hand of a foreign nation. An unnamed adversary will surround the land, bring down defenses, and plunder strongholds. That which was built up through violence will be taken by violence. Live by the sword, die by the sword. The Lord will use armies of the enemy to accomplish his purposes.

3.       God’s judgment will be thorough. Virtually nothing will be spared. The mention of leg bones and pieces of an ear refers to a law in Israel whereby a shepherd had to bring such things to the owner as proof that there was an attack. If he did not do so, he would have had to pay for the sheep himself. With these words, Amos confirms that, when invasion strikes, destruction will be so complete that only proof of death will remain. The corner of a couch, part of a bed—the remnant of Israel will be pitifully small and insignificant.

4.       No one will escape God’s judgment on account of privilege, idolatry, or material possessions. You might be descended from Jacob, but that will not save you from God’s wrath. You can flee to the altars of Bethel, to the place where you bring your sacrifices and pretend that you worship the Lord, but the horns will be cut off and fall to the ground. Your strong fortresses will be plundered; your great ivory houses will come to an end.