The Amorites were one of the prominent Canaanite tribes encountered by the Israelites during their conquest of the Promised Land. They are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as inhabitants of the land that God promised to Abraham and his descendants. The Amorites, along with other Canaanite nations, were known for their idolatrous practices and moral corruption, which ultimately led to their judgment by God. However, the Scriptures also reveal the remarkable forbearance of God towards the Amorites, demonstrating His patience and justice.

Divine Forbearance and Judgment

God's forbearance towards the Amorites is first highlighted in Genesis 15:16, where God speaks to Abram (later Abraham) about the future of his descendants. The Lord tells Abram, "In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete" . This passage indicates that God was aware of the Amorites' sinful practices but chose to delay their judgment until their iniquity reached its full measure. This divine patience underscores God's justice, as He allows time for repentance and does not execute judgment prematurely.

The Amorites in the Conquest of Canaan

During the Israelite conquest of Canaan, the Amorites are frequently mentioned as adversaries. In Joshua 10, five Amorite kings form an alliance to attack Gibeon, a city that had made peace with Israel. In response, Joshua leads the Israelites to a miraculous victory, aided by divine intervention, including the famous event where the sun stands still (Joshua 10:12-14). This victory is a testament to God's faithfulness to His promises and His judgment upon the Amorites for their persistent wickedness.

God's Patience and the Amorites' Resistance

Despite God's patience, the Amorites continued in their resistance against Israel and, by extension, against God. In Deuteronomy 2:24-25, God commands the Israelites to engage Sihon, king of the Amorites, in battle, saying, "I have delivered Sihon and his land into your hands. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle" . The subsequent defeat of Sihon and the Amorites serves as a fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to Israel and as a demonstration of His righteous judgment against persistent sin.

The Amorites as a Symbol of God's Justice

The Amorites, along with other Canaanite nations, serve as a symbol of God's justice and the consequences of unrepentant sin. In Amos 2:9-10, God reminds Israel of His past actions, saying, "Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the cedars and whose strength was like the oaks. I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below" . This passage highlights God's power and justice in dealing with nations that oppose His will.

Lessons from God's Forbearance

The forbearance of God towards the Amorites offers several lessons for believers. It illustrates God's patience and His desire for repentance, even among those who are far from Him. It also serves as a warning of the eventual judgment that comes upon those who persist in sin. The narrative of the Amorites reminds believers of the importance of aligning with God's will and the consequences of resisting His divine authority.Genesis 15:16
But in the fourth generation they shall come here again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... an injunction to the exercise of mutual forbearance, 'Who art ... word and it shall not
stand; for God is with us ... and with Sihon, king of the Amorites, for refusing ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... in the direction of Tayebeh, the latter towards El-Hoseiniyeh. ... [Illustration:
057.jpg THE GOD HADAD ... Sidon, Byblos, Mahallat, Maiza, Kaiza, the Amorites and Arvad ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Who were the Amorites? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that “the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure” (Genesis 15:16)? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Sihon, king of the Amorites? | GotQuestions.org

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