Amos 1-3

“You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins” (3:2). The prophet Amos began with declarations of judgment against Israel’s neighbors - Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, etc. - because of their terrible war crimes (1:6,13). Amos then condemned Judah (the southern kingdom) for idolatry and Israel (the northern kingdom) for selling “the needy for a pair of sandals” (2:6) and sexual abuse (2:7). Called to be light, God’s people had instead become like everyone else.

“I brought you up out of Egypt ...” (2:10). God rescued Israel and called them to live differently, just as He saves us for a purpose: that we flee sin and walk in love and holiness.