Why does Amos keep repeating 'for three sins . . . even for four' in chapters 1-2?
Amos 1:1 - 2:16
ESV - 1 The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. 2 And he said: "The Lord roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.
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Asked July 01 2013
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Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Lynda Hickman
GOD chose Amos a shepherd, showing us that He uses those who are not wise in the flesh, not mighty or noble, "GOD has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise" (1 Cor 1:27)
The words that were "shown" to Amos (1:1-2:16) were warnings to those who persecuted Israel & warnings to Judah & Israel because of their rebellion, contempt for GOD's statutes, sexual sin (2:7) & defiling GOD's holy Name.
GOD's warnings always come before His wrath & His judgement "is true & righteous altogether" (Ps 19:9)
Amos was given fair warning for all the nations around & to Judah & Israel.
One of the 1st things I noticed in Amos 1 was vs 1 where it speaks of the words that Amos "saw."
We all think words as being what we hear, but to GOD's prophets, they are "seen." In 1 Jn 1:1, the apostle writes of the "Word of life" which was "from the beginning" (Jn 1:1), was heard, was "looked upon" (with eyes), & touched ("hands have handled").
We know that the Word of life is Christ.
If John is saying His Word was seen then what he wrote in Rev 1:10-12 makes perfect sense. "I was in the Spirit on the LORD's day & heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, 'I Am the Alpha & the Omega", "Then I (John) turned to see the voice that spoke to me."
Understanding Amos 1 & 2 makes the prophecies of the NT easier to understand. Understanding prophecy is sometimes easier if we understand how it was said.
It makes me think about those who are persecuting Israel today!
Lynda Hickman
Another thought about the nations that had incurred GOD's judgement.
Though they did not worship GOD, even acknowledge Him, they were still accountable to Him. And I see a great lesson there for those today who deny GOD, deny His sovereignty, even deny His existence.