NOTES for Amo 3:1-15
Amos again reminds us that God's election is not only a gift, not only grace, but also responsibility for the promises given. 'All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient' - these are the words the sons of Israel spoke when they made the Covenant with God at Sinai (Exod 24:7). This promise given to God, on the one hand, opened extraordinary possibilities before the people of God, but on the other hand placed upon them the yoke of fulfilling His commandments. This is what was supposed to distinguish Israel from the other nations. Yet it was precisely this burden that the chosen people wanted to throw off, while nevertheless not refusing God's protection.
But the Lord cannot remain indifferent to how His people, in their lack of understanding, are ready to abandon the very essence of the Covenant. Therefore, in order to preserve it, God must require everything that was not given to Him - commandments fulfilled. The appearance in Israel of prophets calling for repentance, for conversion, is a sure sign that the time has come for the people of God to pay their debts.