And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.
God had long borne with this people through moderate punishments, ever drawing them to repentance as a Father and Physician. Now He declares the end has come: their iniquity is ripe, they cannot go one day farther. He will no longer labor to correct them, for nothing avails. This is not forbearance but extreme vengeance.
AI summary
Sinners put off repentance because they imagine God delays His judgments too. The basket shows Israel ripe for destruction, rotten ripe, ready to be cut down. Their year runs toward a dismal winter. They have nothing solid in them, nothing that will keep; they must be consumed now.
AI summary
Commenting on Amos 8:1-3
The end of their kingdom, their commonwealth, their church state, all their outward happiness, it has come. Their summer is ended and they are not saved. God will not pass by their offences any longer, will not forgive their sins, will not pass through them without taking notice. He makes an utter end of them.
AI summary