Page 42 - The Minor Prophets - Student textbook

"Why does Amos keep repeating “for three sins . . . even for four” in chapters 1–2?"

The phrase “for three sins . . . even for four” is a common phrase in Amos (1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6).
Used a total of eight times in the book, these words play a special role in the way Amos communicates
sin and judgment. “Three sins” represents fullness or completeness; “four” represents an overflow or a
sin that is the tipping point for God’s judgment. The word sins or transgressions in Hebrew specifically
refers to “rebellions.” The first two chapters of Amos contain eight messages against the nations,
including Judah and Israel, condemning them for their rebellion against the Lord.

Interestingly, “for three sins . . . even for four” is not followed by four specific sins. In fact, the typical
pattern is to list one or two sins and move on. Therefore, the expression is not meant to imply a
specific number of sins but to communicate that there is an excess of sins that have led to God’s
judgment.

Each of Amos’s eight messages follows a similar pattern. First, there is the phrase “for three sins . . .
even for four.” Second, one or two specific sins are mentioned regarding the nation being addressed.
Third, a judgment is given. Amos starts with Israel’s enemies and ends with oracles against Judah and
Israel.

Judah (Amos 2:4-5) is accused of three specific sins (rejecting the Law, not keeping its statutes, and
lying) and is judged with fire on the nation and Jerusalem. Israel (Amos 2:6-16) is condemned with a
complete list of seven sins and receives an extended discussion of its coming judgments.

While God clearly condemned the sins of the surrounding nations, Amos’ message is dominated by
judgment against Israel. Yet, even in judgment, there is hope. The conclusion of his prophecy (9:11-15)
speaks of a time of future blessing for Israel. The book’s final verse reads, “‘I will plant them on their
land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them,’ says the LORD your
God.” Though Israel would be taken from its land (as a result of attacks by Assyria and Babylon), its
people would one day return to the land and live in prosperity with their Messiah.

Amos 3:7, "Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the
prophets."

Amos 9:14, "I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in
them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit."

Brief Summary: Amos can see that beneath Israel's external prosperity and power, internally the nation
is corrupt to the core. The sins for which Amos chastens the people are extensive: neglect of God's
Word, idolatry, pagan worship, greed, corrupted leadership and oppression of the poor. Amos begins
by pronouncing a judgment upon all the surrounding nations, then upon his own nation of Judah, and
finally the harshest judgment is given to Israel. His visions from God reveal the same emphatic
message: judgment is near. The book ends with God's promise to Amos of future restoration of the
remnant.

So, "What is the meaning of the symbolism in Amos, e.g., sledges with iron teeth (Amos 1:3),
murdered pregnant women (Amos 1:13), burning bones (Amos 2:1), destroyed roots (Amos 2:9), and
hooks (Amos 4:2)?"

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