The Pulpit Commentary — Amos — Section 40

CHAPTER Ill Judah being only indirectly warned that she may expect a similar fate unless she Ver. 1-oh. vi. 14.-Part II. THBEE turns in time. I brought up from the land ADDRESSES PARTICULARIZING THE SINS OF of Egypt. This is mentioned as the crown- ISRAEL AND ANNOUNCING IMMINENT J cDG· ing act of God's favonr (eh. ii. 10). JIIENT. Ver. 2.-Have I known; i.e. loved, ac- Vera. 1-15,-§ 1. Firat address: the knowledged, chosen. So in Hos. xiii. 5 God says, "I knew thee in the wil<lerness;" prophet begins by ,howing Ismel' s ingrati- and St. Paul (2 Tim. ii. 19), "The Lord tude for paat mercies (vers. 1, 2), and his knoweth them that are his" (comp. Nah. own commission to announce the coming i. 7). The peculiar relation in which God. jud1J111ent (vers. 3-8). They have draion allowed Lime! to stand to him is much this upon themselves by iniquities which dwelt upon (see Deut. iv. 8, 20; xiv. 2; 2 Sam. vii. 23; 1 Ch.rou. xvii 21). There- astonish even heathen nations ; and they fore I will p1lllish you; literally, visit upon ahall be punished by the overthroto of the you. They must not presume upon their kingdom and t118 destruction of their city privileges; the retention of God's favour (vers. 9-15). depended upon obedience to Lis W,ml (Exod. xix. 5); tho nearer they were brougbt tc Ver. 1.-The peouliar favour which God God, tho greater their guilt if they fell from has shown the Israelites enhances tho guilt him. Unlik!l the nations denounced in the of their ingro.titude and increases their former chapters, Israel had sinned against punishment. Hear this word. Ench nd- light and kuowledgu and love, therefore drose (eh. iv. 1; v. 1) begins with this the sentence on her must be heavier solemn call. 0 children of Israel. The (comp. Ezek. ix. 6; Lnke xii. 47; 1 Pet. summons is addressed to tho twelve tribes, iv. 17). as the following wor<ls prove; but the suc- oeeding denunciation is confined to Israel, Vera. S-8.-Before annouucing more p11r.  THE BOOK OF A.MOS. [M. m. t-11,.