What the Bible says about Cultural Circumstances
(From Forerunner Commentary)

Amos 1:3 Notice first that the Gentile nations are guilty of the same basic sins—that of gross and vicious cruelties in warfare. In sharp contrast, God charges Judah with commandment-breaking, specifically lying. Israel's sins largely involve national and personal deceitful faithlessness in social, economic, and cultural circumstances. This is not to say that other nations do not have some of these same characteristics or that Israelites have no vicious streak in them. However, Israelites have the Word of God and most especially God's commandments more generally available to them and thus have less excuse, so God holds them more accountable than any other people (Amos 3:2). To whom much is given much more is required (Luke 12:47-48). Israelites should know better. John W. Ritenbaugh The Seventh Commandment Related Topics: Commandment Breaking | Cruelty | Faithlessness | Gentile Mindset | Israel's Faithlessness | Judah's Sins | Lying | Punishment of Judah | Seventh Commandment | The Seventh Commandment | To Whom Much is Given, Much is Required