text: Amos Chapter Three part 2, A study of Amos 3:4, Amos 3:5, and Amos 3:6
  "'Does a lion roar in the thicket when he has no prey? Does he growl in his den when he has caught nothing?'" NIV translation
  The second question deals with the adult lion and whether he walks around proud and roaring while he is hunting? The obvious answer is no because the lion hunts silently so that the prey cannot avoid him. He roars the victory after he has caught his prey to warn other animals to stay away. The third question deals with the young lion that is left in the den while the parent goes out to hunt. Obviously, the young lion is quiet so that he will not be discovered and harmed while the parent is gone.
  These two questions deal with pride and humility. The powerful (lions) in the northern kingdom had become full of pride and boasted in themselves (roared). This is the opposite of humility and leads to idolatry. The same type of thing is happening in our world today as many see what they have accumulated and become proud instead of giving God the praise for what he has done.
  "Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground where no snare has been set? Does a trap spring up from the earth when there is nothing to catch?" NIV translation
  The answer to the fourth question is obviously no because the appropriate trap must be used to catch a bird.
  The fifth question asks God's people if the trapper will keep setting his trap where there is no game and no possibility of catching anything.
  "When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it?" NIV translation
  The sixth question is simply whether people hear an alarm and just ignore it as if nothing is happening. This question is asked of Israel to get them to see how ridiculous it is to ignore the warning that has been given. Normal people would not ignore a warning siren which is a warning given by men so it is even more crazy to ignore a warning that is directly given by God.
  The final question that is asked deals with accidents or natural disasters. When floods, tornadoes, typhoons, etc. happen, many say that it is just nature but this question reminds us that God is in control and He allows these things for His purposes. The effect of ignoring God's warnings through His prophet, will be judgment.
  Today, God is still sending His people with a call of repentance for all men. The effects of ignoring this call will not be an accident or an act of nature but direct judgment from God and it is eternal.