1. Amos 3:2 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why was it necessary for Israel to be punished?

Amos 3:2 (ESV)

2 “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

Since Israel has violated the terms of the Mosaic covenant, the covenant curses must be brought down upon them (see Deuteronomy 28:1–68). They enjoyed special privileges and, therefore, they merit special judgment.1 Being bound in covenant, the Lord must bring about the appropriate curses for covenant disobedience.2