Amos 3:1-2

Israel's Guilt and Punishment

1 1Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt:
2 2"You only have I known of all the families of the earth; 3therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

Amos 3:1-2 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 3

In this chapter the prophet goes on with his prophecy against Israel, whom God had highly favoured, and yet sinned against him, and therefore must expect to be punished by him; and the rather, since he and they were not agreed; and therefore there could be no communion between them, Am 3:1-3; and by various similes are set forth the cause of divine judgments, the certain design of them, and their continuance, till the end is answered; which should be attended to, since every thing of this kind is of God, who giving his prophets notice of it, they are under an absolute necessity of declaring it; nor should they be blamed for it, Am 3:4-8; and even the Heathen nations are appealed unto as witnesses of the sins of Israel, that caused such a denunciation of wrath; their tumults, oppression, injustice, violence, and robbery, Am 3:9,10; wherefore an adversary is threatened to be sent among them, that should utterly destroy them, so that few should escape, Am 3:11,12; particularly their idolatry and luxury seem to have been reigning sins, which had a great hand in bringing on their rum, and for which the Lord would punish them, Am 3:13-15.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Amos 7:16; [Amos 2:10]
  • 2. Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 10:15; Psalms 147:19, 20; [Hosea 5:3; Hosea 13:5; Micah 2:3]
  • 3. [Matthew 10:15; Matthew 11:21, 22; Luke 10:13, 14; Luke 12:47; Romans 2:9]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.