God’s People Can Face Punishment for Sin - Amos 1-4

 Amos 3:1-2 (ESV Strong's)

1 Hear 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 “You only have I known

of all the families of the earth;

therefore I will punish you

for all your iniquities.

God’s People Can Face Punishment

The book of Amos is a “turn or burn” type message.  Israel is being told to repent or else.   The above verses start the “or else” portion of the prophet’s message.   Throughout chapter three and four we see some areas that God will judge Israel since they disobeyed God’s Word.   In verse two, above, we see that the entire nation will be judged.  God called only them from among the nations and yet they turned their back on Him in disobedience.  He would bring punishment on the wealthy for how they sought wealth over Him:

Amos 3:15 (ESV Strong's)

15 I will strike the winter house along with the summer house,

and the houses of ivory shall perish,

and the great houses shall come to an end,”

declares the LORD.

He would punish them for over indulgence and disrespect:

Amos 4:1-2 (ESV Strong's)

1 “Hear this word, you cows of Bashan,

who are on the mountain of Samaria,

who oppress the poor, who crush the needy,

who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink!’

2 The Lord GOD has sworn by his holiness

that, behold, the days are coming upon you,

when they shall take you away with hooks,

even the last of you with fishhooks.

He would punish them for false worship:

Amos 4:4-5 (ESV Strong's)

4 “Come to Bethel, and transgress;

to Gilgal, and multiply transgression;

bring your sacrifices every morning,

your tithes every three days;

5 offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened,

and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them;

for so you love to do, O people of Israel!”

declares the Lord GOD.

He would punish them for lack of repentance:

Amos 4:6-7 (ESV Strong's)

Israel Has Not Returned to the LORD

6 “I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities,

and lack of bread in all your places,

yet you did not return to me,”

declares the LORD.

7 “I also withheld the rain from you

when there were yet three months to the harvest;

I would send rain on one city,

and send no rain on another city;

one field would have rain,

and the field on which it did not rain would wither;

God’s people, when they turn their back on God, will suffer punishment.