You Only have I Known Amos 3:2

As Amos continued to share the “punishment” the LORD would exact upon Israel, he addressed them personally as His own, and in chapter three and verse two of his prophesy Amos shared how the LORD would “punish” them for “all” their “iniquities” where we read:

You only have I known of all the families of the earth:

therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

The verse begins, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth:” Amos began with the words, “You only have I known” which means “The people of Israel were the sole people whom the LORD perceived, saw, found out and discern specially” “of all the families” which refers to “the clans, tribes, people and nations” “of the earth” or “land, region and territory”. Amos declared the LORD's connection to “Israel” above every other “family” that lived upon the earth.

The verse goes on to say, “therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” Amos continued with the word, “therefore I will punish you” which means “in conclusion I will attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, appoint, look after and care for” “for all your iniquities” which refers to “each, every, any and the whole fault, mischief and sin of Israel”. Because the LORD had chosen “Israel” specially, they were to be held accountable for their actions.

When we consider these words of Amos, we see how the LORD gave special preference to “Israel” and therefore they were held responsible for their actions. God Almighty desires for everyone to receive His Son Jesus Christ as Savior and LORD, and yet, there are those who reject and refuse Him . We are a special generation, and we have access to the only One who can give us access to God. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the father but by me” John 14:6, and those who are wise will trust in, rely upon and cling to Him.

Next time we Amos ask, “Can two walk together”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.