Albert Barnes Commentary Amos 8:1-2

"Thus the Lord Jehovah showed me: and, behold, a basket of summer fruit. And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said Jehovah unto me, The end is come upon my people Israel; I will not again pass by them any more." — Amos 8:1-2 (ASV)

Thus has the Lord God shown me - After the sentence against Amaziah was pronounced, Amos resumed just where he had left off before Amaziah interrupted him. His vehement interruption is like a stone cast into deep waters; they close over it, and it leaves no trace. Amos had authenticated the third vision, saying, Thus has the Lord God shown me. He resumed in the very same calm words. The last vision declared that the end was certain; this one, that it was near.

A basket of summer fruit - The fruit was the latest harvest in Palestine. When it was gathered, the cycle of farming had come to its close. The sight gives an idea of completeness.

The symbol and the word expressing it coincide. The fruit-gathering, קיץ (qayits)—like our “crop”—was named from “cutting.” So too, the word for “end,” or “cutting off,” was found in (קץ (qêts)).

At harvest-time, there is no more to be done for that crop. Good or bad, it has reached its end and is cut down. In the same way, the harvest of Israel had come.

The whole course of God’s providences, mercies, chastenings, visitations, instructions, warnings, and inspirations was completed. God asks, What could have been done more to My vineyard, that I have not done in it? (Isaiah 5:4).

For to the works of sin, just as to those of holiness, there is a beginning, progress, and completion: a “sowing of wild oats,” as people say, and a ripening in wickedness; a maturity of people’s plans, as they deem it; and finally, a maturity for destruction in the sight of God.

There was no more to be done. Heavenly influences can only injure the ripened sinner, just as dew, rain, and sun injure ripened fruit. Israel was ripe, but for destruction.