Of the Amorites the Lord said: “In the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” Although this nation was conspicuous because of its idolatry and corruption, it had not yet filled up the cup of its iniquity, and God would not give command for its utter destruction. The people were to see the divine power manifested in a marked manner, that they might be left without excuse. The compassionate Creator was willing to bear with their iniquity until the fourth generation. Then, if no change was seen for the better, His judgments were to fall upon them. {5T 208.1}

Om amoritterne udtalte Herren: »Endnu er amoritternes syndeskyld ikke fuldmoden.« Skønt dette folk gjorde sig bemærket ved sit afguderi og sin fordærvelse, havde det endnu ikke fyldt sin ugudeligheds bæger og Gud ville ikke påbyde dets fuldstændige ødelæggelse. Folket skulle se guddomskraften åbenbaret på en iøjnefaldende måde, for at det skulle være uden undskyldning. Den medlidende Skaber var villig til at bære over med det indtil det fjerde slægtled. Da skulle straffedommene komme over det, hvis der ikke var indtrådt en forandring til det bedre.