3:7 This verse affirms (כִּי, “indeed”) the truth of the implied answer to the prior
rhetorical question (v. 6c–d) and introduces further support for the
affirmation. Not only does judgment come on a city because Yahweh brings it,
but Yahweh warns people ahead of time. The consequence of judgment alluded to
in vv. 4–6 culminates here with the affirmation that Yahweh does bring
judgment, but he also warns the people ahead of time (גָּלָה סוֹדוֹ, “reveals his plan”).
The prophets played a very key role in Yahweh’s judgments. Yahweh gave
the warning to the prophets, and their responsibility was to sound the alarm
and warn people about the coming judgment. Amos was one such watchman. The very
words he speaks in this prophecy are the warning for those who will listen.
These oracles of Amos should cause the people to tremble about the consequences
of their sin. But he is not the only prophet referred to. The text specifically
uses the plural הַנְּבִיאִים,
“prophets.” At this time Yahweh was sending multiple prophets to the northern
kingdom as a warning. (JoAnna M. Hoyt, Amos, Jonah, & Micah [Evangelical
Exegetical Commentary; Bellingham,
Wash.: Lexham Press, 2018], 111-12)
