Amos 3:2
"You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities."
God said to Israel through Moses, "You are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth." (Deut.7:6)
He chose them, gave them a special calling and a tremendous blessing, even made them His family. But, like any father worth his salt, The Lord is not letting His children go unpunished for their wrong doings. “Whom The Lord loves He also chastens.” (Hebrews 12:6)
Therefore they were punished, because their sins dishonored Him, affronted Him, and grieved Him, more than the sins of others, and because it is necessary that God should vindicate His own honor by demonstrating that He hates sin and hates it most in those that are nearest to Him.
The church should be warned by this, where much is given (by God to a nation or other people) much is expected in return.
No matter who we are: Israel, the church, nations or simply individuals - we have a choice. We can either walk with God or not, serve Him or not, love Him or choose not to. He will never take away our free will but all men will be held accountable for their choice – so choose well.
The Truth
“You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” (Deut. 6:13, 10:20, Matt.4:10)
