The sin of Israel was not a one-off aberration. It was not as thought they had not been warned. Rather, it had developed over years. They had been rebellious from the very beginning, and their rebellion had only increased. They had received warning after warning from various prophets, Amos was only the latest. They had the Law. So they were without excuse. They were now ripe for judgement, they had had ample time to put things right, ample time to repent, but had refused to do so.
The songs of joy in the nation would turn to wailing, and there would be much suffering. Mistreatment and exploitation of the poor are singled out as particular sins.
They saw religious observance only as a burden, eager to get back to their dishonest ways.
As well as the destruction, there would be a famine of the word of the Lord. Then the people would realise that they actually need the word of God. In the West there is increasing hostility to the Word of God, with society increasingly wanting nothing to do with it. They do not want to hear God's word on sexual morality, they do not want to hear it on the sanctity of life. They increasingly seek to shut the voice of God up. The worst thing that could happen to this society is that it gets what it wants. We need to pray for God to have mercy on this land.
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