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"Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you"

Text: Amos 3:1

AN EXTENDED MESSAGE FROM GOD

Each of the nations judged had a brief word from God. However, with Israel, God gave an extended word. Chapter 3 is an extension of this message from the Lord to Israel.

“Hear this word that the LORD has 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.'”
Amos 3:1-2

1. “Children of Israel”

a) This was an old Mosaic term for the nation of Israel.

b) This phrase was regularly used in the book of Exodus as a term of affection.

2. “Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you”

a) This was a solemn and sobering way of calling Israel to pay attention to the LORD’s message.

b) It is similar in strength to the regular phrase “Thus says the LORD” (Amos 1:3; 2:1 etc).

3. “Against the whole family”

a) The whole family

This is another way of addressing “the nation of Israel”.

b) Everyone is included in this reference (rulers, priests and people).

4. “Which I brought up from the land of Egypt”

a) This is obviously a historical reference.

b) God had painstakingly brought out and brought up the whole family.

i) From Egypt (Exodus 14:30-31)

ii) Through the Wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2)

iii) Into the land of Canaan (Joshua 23:1-9)

5. “You only have I known of all the families of the earth”

God had particularly acknowledged Israel as His very own people (Deuteronomy 7:6).

a) A holy people, chosen as a people for God Himself.

b) A special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.

6. “Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities”

a) The LORD could not but punish Israel, His very own chosen people.

b) The great iniquities of the nation could not be ignored nor could they go unpunished!