The Lion Has Roared: Why the Prophet Must Speak

Amos strings together short cause-and-effect questions: two do not walk together without an appointment; a lion does not roar over nothing; a trap does not spring without cause; a trumpet creates fear; a lion’s roar creates fear. The final comparison explains prophetic speech: “the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?” Amos is not presenting prophecy as a career choice or performance. The message is compelled by encounter with God. This section also helps explain the roar image from 1:2—the prophet speaks because the divine Lion has already spoken.