Hello Deborah. Are you enquiring about the meaning of this passage (btw, Amos chapter 3 only goes to verse 15)?
If so, the Prophet Amos, who was actually a sheep-herder ( Amos 7:15), was called by God to give Israel another stern warning (chapters 3 to 6). If they didn't change their ways & begin to honour God rather than play with idolatry, the Judgement of God still stood against them.
Bethel was no longer a holy special place (as it was for Abraham & Jacob) but a city given to idolatry. So in the passage you've asked explanation for, God tells Amos to proclaim to wicked Israel, that their judgement & captivity is certain. God will destroy the altars that they created in Bethel, not for godly worship, but to idols. They probably still had the true altar there, but others were raised as well. The "horns of the altar", where once the blood of the sacrifice was poured upon, would now be cut off & cast upon the ground. And if that wasn't enough to alert them & bring repentance & change of worship, even the grand houses of those of wealth (wealth no doubt accrued from idolatrous practises & corruption) would be destroyed. These were houses that some had for the Winter & Summer seasons & houses laced with ivory & precious metals (King Ahab of Judah built such a house: 1 Kings 22:39). All these will come to an end, when they would be destroyed & the people be taken into captivity.
If so, the Prophet Amos, who was actually a sheep-herder ( Amos 7:15), was called by God to give Israel another stern warning (chapters 3 to 6). If they didn't change their ways & begin to honour God rather than play with idolatry, the Judgement of God still stood against them.
Bethel was no longer a holy special place (as it was for Abraham & Jacob) but a city given to idolatry. So in the passage you've asked explanation for, God tells Amos to proclaim to wicked Israel, that their judgement & captivity is certain. God will destroy the altars that they created in Bethel, not for godly worship, but to idols. They probably still had the true altar there, but others were raised as well. The "horns of the altar", where once the blood of the sacrifice was poured upon, would now be cut off & cast upon the ground. And if that wasn't enough to alert them & bring repentance & change of worship, even the grand houses of those of wealth (wealth no doubt accrued from idolatrous practises & corruption) would be destroyed. These were houses that some had for the Winter & Summer seasons & houses laced with ivory & precious metals (King Ahab of Judah built such a house: 1 Kings 22:39). All these will come to an end, when they would be destroyed & the people be taken into captivity.
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