Amos 3:4 asks the questions “Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?” which is indicative of a cause and effect relationship. The shepherd-turned-prophet uses this example to warn a rebellious nation, that their disobedience will lead them to be like prey to the kingdoms (Assyrians) that the Lord was raising against them. Israel was soon going to be invaded and destroyed by the Assyrians and Judah would go into exile (captivity) in Babylon. But going back to the cause and effect relationship, the fact of life, is that a lion roars when it has caught its prey (Isaiah 5:29). Hold that thought!
1 Peter 5:8 counsels us all to be sober and vigilant, because our adversary the devil is like a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour.
Now putting Amos 3:4 and 1 Peter 5:8 together, we can extrapolate, that the devil’s roar (the effect) is as a result of of him having caught prey (the cause). Sadly, there are many who believe not in Jesus Christ, whom the devil, the god of this world, has blinded and held as prey (captive) in the darkness and in the fear of the shadow of death, so that the glorious light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not shone on them (2 Corinthians 4:4).
So what should be our response? We are to be watchful (sober and vigilant) so that we ourselves don’t fall to be prey to seeking satan. Second, Jesus said, Watch and Pray always so that you are counted worthy and that you escape (Luke 21:36). Let the only Lion whose roar (of victory) can be heard, be Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5). Let us be vigilant to shut the roar of the lion that is seeking whom he may devour.
Amos 3:4 (KJV)
4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Luke 21:36 (KJV)
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
