Amos continues the judgment against Israel. They are reminded that of all the people in the earth, God has dwelled with and made covenant with them, and they have rejected it. Afterwards a series of examples that illustrate logical connections (two people walk together because they agreed to meet, lions roar because they have no prey…) and the Lord sends word that the fire is on the way because they deserve it.

The next section is fierce. Amos instructs Israel to call the Philistines over (Ashdod) and Egypt so they can come over to Samaria (Israel’s capital) and see how junky Israel is. (Hey there, call your friends over so they can see how crappy you are. Rough times.) But, when you store up violence and robbery and ignore the Lord, that kind of ends up being the deal.

And then the word from God comes on what will happen: An enemy will come and surround the land and Israel will not be able to defend themselves. In fact, the comparison of what will remain is basically what a shepherd is able to rescue from a lion that has gotten a sheep (a couple legs, maybe a piece of an ear, etc.) That said, I can’t quite discern the “…the corner of a couch and part of a bed”, unless it is highlight the places of comfort, their home, shall only remain in pieces.

The imagery to finish out the chapter is one of destruction. The Lord of Hosts (think armies) will punish Israel and cut off the horns of the altar of Bethel (these are the horns that someone would grab to proclaim sanctuary when there was trouble against them. God is removing all protections). And he targets the luxury that Israel has acquired (winter and summer houses, houses of ivory, great houses), which I think affirms the couch and bed imagery interpretation from earlier.