Let us read Amos 3:1-3, “Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, you only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos was a prophet who preached to the children of Israel about coming judgment. The Lord had decided to punish Israel for their many sins. The Lord then asked them, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” He desired closeness with Israel, but they disagreed about how they should behave themselves. Israel persistently sinned against the Lord, and the Lord sent many prophets to plead with them to repent and please the Lord with their lives.

In Isaiah 54:5, Jehovah calls Himself the husband of Israel. That says, “For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.” This is how close the Lord wanted to be with Israel. He wanted to have a husband and wife relationship with her. However, due to Israel’s sins, He could not walk with her in her sinfulness. This is why we read about Jehovah divorcing adulterous Israel in Jeremiah 3:8, “And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.” Therefore, the answer to the question asked in Amos 3:3 is that two people cannot walk together, except they be agreed. Having said that, let us keep in mind that God is not finished dealing with Israel and all of His wonderful promises concerning Israel will be fulfilled someday. We read in Lamentations 3:31, “For the Lord will not cast off for ever.”

It takes much prayer and wisdom to apply Amos 3:3 to our lives. We need to be careful not to use it as an excuse to break off every relationship with someone when we disagree with them. The Lord broke off his relationship with Israel temporarily due to persistent sinfulness. This verse is good to keep in mind when we are considering a major decision such as marriage. Should a Christian walk with an unbeliever in a marriage relationship when they do not agree on who Christ is and the way of salvation? Of course not. As we read in 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” Certainly there are other relationships other than marriage where Amos 3:3 can apply. May the Lord give each of us grace and wisdom in applying this verse to our lives. (170.7) (DJ)