Amos 3:10 meaning

In the context of Israel's disobedience, Amos emphasizes the devastating consequences of societal failure to uphold justice and righteousness. The Israelites, chosen by God, had fallen victim to rampant injustice, exploiting the vulnerable among them rather than adhering to God’s moral standards. Amos highlights that their actions amounted to a betrayal of their unique covenant relationship with God, reflecting a grievous failure in exercising their privileges responsibly. The prophet calls upon foreign nations as witnesses to this moral decay, underscoring that their sins have reached a toxic level where they no longer know how to do "right."

This brings us to the critical verse: "They do not know how to do what is right," which portrays the Israelites as lost in their own wickedness. The emphasis here is on the idea that arrogance and greed have so corrupted their moral compass that they have become unable to discern just from unjust. This striking declaration serves as a haunting reminder that privilege always carries a weighty responsibility—one that the Israelites grievously neglected.