The phrase “the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure” comes from Genesis 15:16, where God is speaking to Abram about the future of his descendants. This verse refers to a group of people called the Amorites, who lived in the Promised Land before the Israelites arrived. God tells Abram that his descendants would go into exile for 400 years, but afterward they would return and take possession of the land. The reason given is that “the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” So what does this mean?
The Amorites were one group of Canaanites living in the Promised Land. More broadly, the term “Amorites” is sometimes used to refer to all the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan. God promised to give the land of Canaan to Abram’s descendants. However, when Abram arrived there, the land was already occupied. So why would God promise land that was already inhabited? That’s where this phrase comes in. It provides an explanation: God was patiently waiting for the right time.
The sin and iniquity of the Amorites and Canaanites had not yet reached the point where God would judge them by removing them from the land. God was giving them time to repent. But their wickedness continued to increase over time. Deuteronomy 9:4-5 indicates the extent of their corruption, including detestable idolatry and child sacrifice. So God was patient and gave them centuries to turn from their evil ways. But eventually their sin “reached its full measure,” meaning they crossed a line from which God determined they would not return. Their iniquity was now “complete.”
So after 400 years of patience, around 1400 BC, God brought judgment on the Canaanites and provided the land He had promised to Abram’s descendants. This explanation helps us understand a key aspect of God’s character: He is patient, merciful and slow to anger. God gave the Canaanites centuries to repent before bringing judgment. At the same time, God’s judgment is not arbitrary; it falls only when peoples’ iniquity reaches a tipping point.
The Longsuffering of God
The phrase “sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure” illustrates God’s longsuffering nature. God was willing to wait patiently for hundreds of years before bringing judgment on a wicked people. Peter explains God’s motivation:
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11). But there does come a time when He must judge unrepentant sin. The Amorites’ sin was allowed to continue until the prescribed time arrived for God to give their land to Israel as He had promised.
God’s Forbearance Has Limits
However, we also see that God’s patience was not limitless. There was an appointed time for judgment to come. The Amorites’ wickedness had a limit beyond which God would no longer tolerate it. The Bible shows that while God is slow to anger, He does have a “breaking point” after which He acts in judgment:
“You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:5–6)
The Amorites experienced God’s judgment when the limits of His forbearance were finally reached. We are warned to not presume upon God’s patience (Romans 2:4-5). While God is slow to anger, His judgment will come when sin reaches its full measure.
God’s Timing is Perfect
The timing of God’s judgment on the Amorites shows His perfect knowledge and wisdom:
“For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” (Isaiah 30:18)
God knew precisely when the right time had come – not too soon, but also not too late. The iniquity of the inhabitants of Canaan was then complete. They passed the point of receiving any more mercy or grace. God accomplished His purposes on His perfect schedule.
The Bible reminds us that God alone understands when the exact right time for action arrives. Waiting on His perfect timing is wise, even when events unfold differently than we expect:
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
The Amorites’ time ran out precisely when God intended. We can have patience knowing that God’s timing is flawless, even when we don’t understand all the details.
A Warning Against Unrepentant Sin
The biblical account of the Amorites stands as a warning against persistent, unrepentant sin. There is a limit to how long God will withhold judgment on ungodliness. Their sin eventually became so wicked that nothing short of removal from the land would suffice.
The Bible reminds us not to ignore God’s patience, but to respond to His kindness by repenting (Romans 2:4). We are called to turn from sin before the consequences become unavoidable:
“But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.” (Romans 2:5)
The Amorites’ sin led them to judgment they could not escape because they failed to repent when they had time. Let their example motivate us to evaluate our own lives and turn from anything displeasing to God.
Hope for Those who Repent
Though the time ran out for the Amorites, Scripture offers hope to those who do repent. God promises:
“But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.” (Ezekiel 18:21)
The interplay between God’s judgment and mercy is complex. But we see His graciousness even amid judgment. Those who turned from sin found mercy, including Ruth the Moabite and Rahab of Jericho. God’s heart is always to show compassion to those who humble themselves and turn to Him.
Fulfillment of God’s Promises
Ultimately, God’s actions ensured the fulfillment of His covenant promise to Abram to inherit the land of Canaan. Despite obstacles, God kept His word:
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)
God’s promises always come to pass right on schedule. His plans unfold precisely how and when He determines. What seems slow or fast to us is exactly according to God’s perfect timing and foreknowledge.
The sin of the Amorites reached its full measure at just the right moment for God’s covenant with Abraham to transition to the next phase. Despite the wickedness in Canaan, God showed mercy to those who repented. His judgment came only when His patience ran out. This account gives us insight into God’s justice, mercy, patience and faithfulness.
