The roar of the lion indicates the coming judgment. This is being confirmed by the final words of Amos 1:2: the pastures of the shepherds mourn (NIV: dry up), and the top of Carmel withers. This language is used to tell us about a drought that has been sent upon the land. The covenant curses of Leviticus 26:1–46 and Deuteronomy 28:1–68 specified that the Lord would make the heavens like bronze, the earth like iron, and the rain like dust if his people were disobedient. Drought was thus a clear sign of God's displeasure. God is going to bring judgment upon Israel.
2 And he said: “The LORD roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.”