Amos 2:6-10

The transgressions of Israel -- Amos 2:6-10: Next God said, "For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment." The 10-tribe Northern Kingdom was guilty of many sins: (1) They sold the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals. How much would a human being, especially a righteous person, be worth to you? (2) They defrauded the poor and the weak that were unable to defend themselves. (3) A man and his father had sexual relations with the same girl. (4) They bowed down at pagan altars to worship. (5) They made personal use of the garments that were taken as pledge that should not have been kept over night. (Deuteronomy 24:12) and, (7) They levied fine upon the poor without cause and then spent that money for wine that they drank in the idols' house.

God reminded Israel that He had destroyed the Amorites. They had been a very strong nation but God said, "I destroyed his fruit above and his roots beneath." God utterly destroyed the Amorites, root and branch. Nothing remains of him even till this day. God also reminded Israel of His goodness toward them. God said, "It was I who brought you up out of the land of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite." In Egypt the children of Israel were afflicted and in deep slavery. The Lord brought them out with a great deliverance. He led them for forty years through the wilderness. He used a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. He protected and preserved them. Sadly Israel's disobedience shows much ingratitude to the Almighty.