Not much is said about the practice of sacrifice during the wilderness wanderings. The sacrificial laws themselves anticipate entrance into the Promised Land either explicitly (Numbers 15:2–10, Numbers 15:17–21; Deuteronomy 12:1–32) or implicitly (Exodus 23:14–18).1 Amos could be suggesting that the wilderness years were a time characterized by a close relationship between God and his people (Deuteronomy 2:7; Hosea 11:1; Jeremiah 2:2–3)2 even though very few sacrifices were given.3 Alternatively, it could be that the reference to the time in the wilderness is to highlight exactly how corrupt Israel’s present life has become.4
25 “Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?