• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"Transgressions of Israel"

Text: Amos 2:6

ISRAEL ON THE JUDGMENT LIST

Israel, the northern kingdom was next on the list of God’s judgments. It was found guilty of sins that had to be punished!

“Thus says the LORD:
‘For three transgressions of Israel, and for four,
I will not turn away its punishment,
Because they sell the righteous for silver,
And the poor for a pair of sandals.'”
Amos 2:6

1. “Thus says the LORD”

a) Once again it must be remembered that God is the Divine Judge.

b) His judgment would always be fair and just.

2. “For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment”

a) Israel was guilty of many sins.

b) Some of these sins were heinous.

3. “Because they sell the righteous for silver”

a) This could be understood literally.

b) How could this be done legally?

i) When one becomes indebted.

ii) And the debt cannot be paid.

iii) The righteous are unable to defend themselves.

iv) The law could be bent to allow people to sell debtors.

c) This is so wrong.

i) It went against the obvious Law of Moses.

ii) No one was allowed to enslave a Hebrew brother.

iii) Even if an individual is in debt, his debts must be forgiven in the year of the Lord’s release (the 7th year Deuteronomy 15:1-2).

4. “And the poor for a pair of sandals”

a) Provision was made by the Law of Moses to take care of the poor.

b) They were to be given every assistance (Deuteronomy 15:7-18).

c) To sell a poor person for the price of a pair of sandals is most insulting.

d) There was obviously no sense of mercy in the heart for the poor of the land!