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Exodus 19:5,6
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earthis mine: …

Deuteronomy 7:6
For thouart an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people thatare upon the face of the earth.

Deuteronomy 10:15
Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them,even you above all people, asit is this day.

all.

Genesis 10:32
Theseare the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.

Jeremiah 1:15
For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.

Jeremiah 10:25
Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.

therefore.

Ezekiel 9:6
Slay utterly oldand young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whomis the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men whichwere before the house.

Ezekiel 20:36-38
Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD…

Daniel 9:12
And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.

punish.

Jeremiah 9:25
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish allthem which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;

Jeremiah 11:22
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine:

Jeremiah 13:21
What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught themto be captains,and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?

therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
The consequence of Israel's unique relationship with God is accountability. The word "therefore" indicates a direct connection between being chosen and being judged. Israel's iniquities, or sins, are more grievous because they violate the covenant with God. This principle is consistent with the biblical theme that privilege comes with responsibility (Luke 12:48). The punishment is not merely punitive but corrective, intended to bring Israel back to faithfulness. This reflects the prophetic tradition where judgment is often a precursor to restoration (Jeremiah 30:11). The concept of divine discipline is also seen inHebrews 12:6, where God disciplines those He loves. This passage foreshadows the ultimate judgment and redemption through Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and offers salvation to all nations, extending the covenant blessings beyond Israel (Galatians 3:14).

“Only you have I known…” (Amos 3:2a)

• “Known” speaks of a covenant relationship. InGenesis 18:19 the Lord says of Abraham, “For I have chosen him,” the same covenant language of personal knowledge.

•Deuteronomy 7:6-8 echoes this special choosing: “The LORD your God has chosen you… because the LORD loved you.”

•Psalm 100:3 reminds Israel, “We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”

• The same principle carries into the New Testament: believers in Christ are called “a chosen people” in1 Peter 2:9.

Takeaway: God’s relationship with Israel (and by extension with His people today) is not casual—He personally set His love on them.

“…from all the families of the earth;” (Amos 3:2b)

• Among every nation, tribe, and tongue, the Lord singled out Israel as His covenant nation (Psalm 147:19-20).

• This special selection fulfilled His promise to Abraham that “all the families of the earth” would ultimately be blessed through him (Genesis 12:3).

•Romans 9:4-5 lists Israel’s unique privileges: adoption, the covenants, the law, the worship, the promises, and even the Messiah.

Takeaway: Privilege is never random; God places a people in a position of favor so that His purposes might flow through them to the world.

“…therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” (Amos 3:2c)

• Greater privilege brings greater accountability. Jesus affirmed this principle: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required” (Luke 12:47-48).

• Discipline is a mark of belonging.Hebrews 12:6 says, “The Lord disciplines the one He loves.”

• Judgment begins with God’s household (1 Peter 4:17). Before God deals with the nations, He addresses sin among His own people (Jeremiah 25:29).

• The goal is restoration, not destruction. God’s chastening aims to bring Israel—and us—to repentance (Hosea 6:1).

Takeaway: Divine correction is proof of divine relationship; because God cares, He confronts.

Amos 3:2 weaves together privilege and responsibility. God chose Israel uniquely, out of every nation, for intimate covenant fellowship. That same covenant love demands holiness; therefore, when Israel strays, God must discipline her. The verse reminds every believer: being known by God is the highest honor, and with that honor comes the solemn call to walk in obedience, knowing that the Father’s loving discipline guards the purity of His chosen people.

Therefore I will . . .--This may mean, in proportion to your privileges will be your doom--but more probably that this intimacy of knowledge is the ground of gracious chastisement. For nation or man to be allowed to go on in sin without rebuke is the greatest curse that can befall it or him.