CRITICAL NOTES.] Hear] Cf. beginning of chaps. 5 & 6, indicating this chap. to be one whole address. Whole] Though the ten tribes threatened, yet all Israel are concerned and warned.
Amos 3:2. Known] Not only love and care, but gracious fellowship and treatment (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 4:20); “including both the motive and result of election.”
HOMILETICS
GOD’S CHASTISEMENT OF A COVENANT PEOPLE.—Amos 3:1-2
Before the end of chastisement can be answered its nature must be discerned. In itself it may seem of no moment, but when viewed as the expression of God’s purpose it is significant. Israel therefore should hear, for God Himself speaks and will punish. Thrice does Amos address the same solemn call to a nation whose former favours do not exempt from impending ruin—“Hear this word.”
I. The grounds for chastisement. God always deals wisely, and often gives reasons for certain proceedings against us. The grounds of Israel’s punishment are specified.
1. Peculiar relationship abused.
(1) Individually abused—“children of Israel.” Each member of the tribes, every person in the nation, was owned and cared for by God.
(2) Socially abused—“the whole family.” God separated them from others, and united them into one family. This was a natural protest against selfishness, a merciful design to secure obedience to the Supreme Lawgiver, and a method of Divine mercy to mankind. “At that time will I be the God of all the families of Israel.” But Israel cherished not the disposition of children and disowned their relation to God. “If I be your father where is mine honour?”
2. Distinguished privileges neglected. “Which I brought up from the land of Egypt.” They were redeemed from bondage and brought up, led to Canaan. This redemption was like a second creation, and a special ground for gratitude. But God’s goodness to the nation was forgotten, and his gifts despised. Remarkable deliverances are remembered by God, and should be improved by us.
3. Special obligations denied. God blessed and loved them like no other people. “You only have I known of all the families of the earth.” Others were aliens; they were children. They were distinguished by rank and favour, “made a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.” But they dishonoured their character, and violated their obligations to God. Iniquity in some is disobedience to express commands, revolt against Divine authority, and the addition of ingratitude to sin. “Forget not all his benefits.”
II. The design of chastisement. The nearer to God the greater the fall from him. Professors can either praise or profane the name of God. Their sins are more provoking than those of other men. They are against greater light, a higher principle of life, and more exalted relationship. God will not wink at sin in his most favoured children. “Therefore will I punish you for all your iniquities.”
1. Punishment to purify moral character. God will have all his children to be like him. Bastards may escape, but sons must be chastised. Luther cried, “Strike on, Lord, strike on, for now I know that I am thy child.” “As a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee.”
2. Punishment to fit for greater service. Afflictions remind us of forgotten duty, give discipline for future life, and fit us for a world of sin and sorrow. They make us more fervent and holy, stronger with God and more pitiful to men.
“More skilful in self-knowledge, ever more pure
As tempted more; more able to endure
As more exposed to suffering and distress;
Thence also more alive to tenderness” [Wordsworth].
3. Punishment to warn others of danger. “Against the whole family “was the judgment denounced. They were the elect and beloved of God, but their sins only deepened their guilt and made them a warning to others. The lessons imparted to one people are for the benefit of another. There is unity and aim in the moral life of all nations. Exalted privileges everywhere bring heavier responsibility, and shameful abuse severer punishment. Hear this word of the Lord. For “the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 3
Amos 3:1-2. Special favours. Men are not to be envied simply because they are endowed with special favours. Those very endowments, unless they are faithfully used, only augment responsibility, deepen guilt, and ensure a more terrible retribution. Where much has been given much will be required. It will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, &c. [Dr Thomas].