And then verse 55, it says, but it didn't bring about fruit. The idolatry of the northern kingdom went on for nearly two centuries. Linking is encouraged, but content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed including, but not limited to such means as framing or other digital copying and/or distribution method, in whole or in part without the publisher's written consent. Around 1615, he dedicated his life to serving the poor. Most of prophecy begins negatively but ends positively because God is confident that what He prophesied will accomplish His end, which is always good! Chapter 1: "Amos" (v. 1). Because of the peoples' recalcitrance, God withheld His blessings, ultimately separating Himself from them by casting them out of the land He had promised the patriarchs. We each need to ask, "Have I let anything other than God take first place in my life? Amos followed Elijah about 90-100 years later. Not for your sake do I do this," says the Lord GOD, "let it be known to you. Exodus 12:38 indicates that many non-Jews decided to become Jews and join the blood descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the exodus from Egypt. God is managing it, governing it. He determines their rise and fall and the times of dominance of every nation. (This is the same reason why Nephi killed Laban.) Holiness refers to God's nature, and righteousness, to God's acts. Even after all of the warnings from the Prophets, after receiving curse upon curse, Israel would NOT turn . In fact, I think a key indication that Israel felt like its adherence to sacrifices, rituals, feasts, and other religious practices was in-line with its covenant requirements is the very fact that Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah had to use such dramatic language to get Israels attention. . This over-the-top zealousness is not only insufficient but is, itself, a source of Gods disapproval. (The Book of Amos) (Part Two). The Beast and Babylon (Part Seven): How Can Israel Be the Great Whore? God's punishment, though, is never an end in itself, nor does He punish in wild anger or frustration. Why did God punish the Israelites for 40 years? Ezekiel 36 shows this clearly. (Dt 31:7-8). After all, the messages were not for them but for others because they considered themselves to be okay. Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? Covenants with God are inherently covenants with each other.The Hebrew word translated into the English mercy in the verses above is heseda word that President Russell Nelson highlighted in his recent Liahona address (which itself felt like an extension of his recent conference talk). He shaved his beard and head and used the hair as traditional symbols of humiliation. God tacks it onto his upcoming deeds to explain the reason for the action. We cannot have it both ways. The measure for measure punishment for this was that there would now be an intermediary Angel guiding them instead of their being under direct guidance from God Himself. This means, "Take heed! In short, the people of Israel needed to live into the reality that acovenant with God isinherently connected to and reflected by how we treat each other. Prophecy and the Sixth-Century Axial Period. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself., Contact & Submissions Amos is declaring that God is involved in His creation; He has not gone way off. Copyright 2022 Faith Community Church. (The Book of Amos) (Part Two), Searching for Israel (Part Seven): Seven Years' Punishment. . . God made the Sabbath principle central to his creation. According to the Bible, the worship of these gods was often promoted by kings and members of the royal court. Second, Israel and Judah will both make the New Covenant, meaning that they will be given the Holy Spirit, which will enable them to keep the law in its spiritual intent (Jeremiah 31:31-34). The central theme of the first half of the book of Shemot is the enslavement of the Jews in Egypt and their miraculous salvation by the hand of God. David makes a. What sort of pagan revelry did the Israelites indulge in (Exodus 32:6)? Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. However, the key to understanding the significance of Israel's demand in I Samuel 8 is that she desires a king just like the other nations. Then God responded in Habakkuk 1:4-11 by telling the prophet that He was bringing a nation to conquer and destroy many Israelites because of their sin. . Why did the Israelites wander the desert for 40 years? Malachi 2:14. We should never forget that God's punishment falls upon Israel because of disobedience, rebellion, and sin. There are 3 different punishments stated for the sin of the Golden Calf, two of which are ambiguous in nature. The Beast and Babylon (Part Seven): How Can Israel Be the Great Whore? To violate the Sabbath day was a serious sin because it denied God's sovereignty. God didn't. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges.". An important overall warning from Amos for those of us who have made the New Covenant with God is that great privileges must not be abused, or they will bring great penalties. Israel exhibited again and again its refusal to obey God. Learn Religions, Dec. 6, 2021, learnreligions.com/introduction-to-the-book-of-ezekiel-701131. We could not trust God if He did not hold to His promises of blessing and cursing (Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Terms and Conditions, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. In Latter-day Saint vernacular, the term that comes closest to expressing this ideal is probably. Justice: If said with just the right inflection, the word justice feels punitive. the . Rather, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah suggest that Israel needed to do a better job practicing what, would call (eight centuries later!) 16 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. God Knew Israel's True Thoughts He knew that idolatry reached farther than just having an object on the mantle. All of these occur as punishments for sin as God exacts His vengeance on "those who destroy the earth" (Revelation 11:18). In fact, highlighting Israels penchant for a straying focus, a central hope in Jeremiahs view of restoration is that Israel will be given a , , while all of this might be true, hypocrisy does not, problem that resulted in such strong language from Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah. This illustration is declaring a cause-and-effect relationship, meaning, "Israel, you are already in the trap, and you, through your conduct, are just about to spring it shut on yourself. The attacks and a wave of sympathy for the grief of those directly impacted by them, as well as a sudden spurt of patriotism, changed the way people heard these messages. Besides giving oral warnings, Ezekiel performed physical actions which served as symbolic plays for the exiles to learn from. Ezek 4:1-3 "You also, son of man, take a clay tablet and lay it before you, and portray on it a city, Jerusalem. They are designed to ensure that the king does not elevate himself above the people and rule as a despot. The prophet Jeremiah, in Jeremiah 32:30, quotes God's scathing indictment of the people of both Kingdoms: "[T]he children of Israel and the children of Judah have done only evil before Me from their youth. They were still "lost" in His day, not having returned to Canaan. Its what happens to people when they do something wrong; justice is served could be a superheros catchphrase when she nabs the bad guy. Our regard for humanity is so low that in America alone during the last three decades, an estimated 40-50 million pre-born children have been killed for the sake of convenience. And, apparently, Israel was largely doing the things it had been asked to do. During that period, Israel's sins continued to mount horribly. ", More than 90 times, God calls Ezekiel "son of Man," a term used to highlight the prophet's humanity. God punishes the Israelites for their sinfulness After he had freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, God wanted to make them a holy people with the help of his servant, Moses. Such punishment precipitated Israel being scattered, taken into captivity into foreign lands, and losing their homeland, to which they have never returned. Psalm 99:8-9 reminds us that our holy God forgives! best compost bins 2021; best defensive shooting guards 2022; second law of thermodynamics problems and solutions pdf . 15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. Rather, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah suggest that Israel needed to do a better job practicing what Jesus would call (eight centuries later!) Once God reveals Himself through His calling, the issue of government comes to the fore. Israel's sacred texts clearly outlined how and in what way Israel was to worship the God of the Exodus and Sinai. Moreover take for yourself an iron plate, and set it as an . God will punish Israel for her failure to live up to her responsibilities within the covenant. John W. Ritenbaugh Forms of the situation described here appear frequently in the history of Israel's relationship with God. Isaiah 10:5-7 Easy-to-Read Version God Will Punish Assyria's Pride 5 The Lord says, "I will use Assyria like a stick. America and the British nations are rapidly following ancient Israel's example as they spiral downward to their destruction. Moses had a pretty tough job. We are disgusted with this wretched food! they cried. In Judges 3, we read: So the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites . ESSAY: Why is it important to trust in God? 5 March 2019. He makes and unmakes nations (II Chronicles 20:6; Daniel 4:17; Acts 17:26). Amos, a Jew from the southern kingdom, was sent by God to preach against the sins of the northern ten tribes. Such power and influence have made both nations feel they have an unlimited reservoir of natural ability and wealth. Ezra records that God moved King Cyrus to let . If their moral and ethical foundation has eroded, the natural process of strong nations displacing weaker ones will take place (Leviticus 18:28; 20:22). He took half the kingdom away from his son. Although God did not allow Moses to cross into the land, in Deuteronomy 34 we read that he had Moses climb Mount Nebo so he could see the land before he died. Choose from news (Monday), leisure (Thursday) or worship (Saturday) or get all three! When his wife died, he was told not to mourn her. It is this process that God often uses to punish His people for apostasy and immorality. We see similar language in the book of Amos. ] In those from the north, there would be a natural resistance to such an arrangement. The people may have, worshiping God through the required performances. (Amos 9:13-15). The core problem of Israelaccording to Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micahwas the lack of justice, righteousness, and mercy. Moses was gone less than 40 days when the Israelites fashioned a calf of molded gold to substitute for the invisible Creator God. Indeed, Malachi 3:6 proclaims, "I am the Lord, I do not change," while Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus "is the same yesterday, today, and forever.". The covenant people, Israel, had profaned His name by their conduct among the other nations. Moses then struck the rock twice with his staff, and a huge amount of water began to flow. But were they true? Ezekiel lived during the time of the Babylonian exile. Ezekiel 14:6Therefore say to the people of Israel, This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! So why did God choose Israel? Thus, the problem Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah point to is not in regard to the revealed pattern of worship. Israel's sad history is the consequence of peoples' faithlessness, not of their God's weakness. (The Book of Amos) (Part One). What the L, desired and required of Israelthe things that the L, wanted Israel to dowas to protect and bless the people in their community. In Ezekiels vision of restoration at the end of times, the temple that will be rebuilt in Jerusalem as part of the restoration of Israel is marked by close ritual observance of the very same requirements which are outlined in Exodus, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus (See Ezekiel 42), and apparently being followed at the time Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah voiced Gods frustration with Israel. Here in Ezra, we see that this 70 year period had elapsed, as Daniel had also anticipated (Dan. It had its origin, not in their necessities, but m their vile affections, their own unsubdued, carnal minds. And the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of plunders, until He had cast them from His sight. Ezekiel prophesied to those exiles about why God had allowed that, while at the same time, the prophet Jeremiah spoke to the Israelites left behind in Judah. Who Were the Major Prophets in the Bible? To whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:48). And, apparently, Israel. Mercy is used to describe the act of helping those whose behavior might not otherwise justify such magnanimity. The result was similar to Israel's, for in II Kings 24:2-4 God carried out His threats of punishment against Judah too: And the Lord sent against [Jehoiakim] raiding bands of Chaldeans, bands of Syrians, bands of Moabites, and bands of the people of Ammon; He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the Lord which He had spoken by His servants the prophets. (Exodus20:2-3, NIV), Today, idolatry consists of putting more importance on anything other than God, from our career to money, fame, power, material possessions, celebrities, or other distractions. II Kings 17:7-8 speaks of the sins of the Kingdom of Israel, up north: For so it was that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, . Unless otherwise noted, all material copyright 2023, Rochester Catholic Press Association, Inc. And when we fully embrace the reality that the covenants we make at baptism and in the temple cannot be kept without walking out of the baptismal font and outside of the temple and into a relationship with those who surround us in this earthly existencethat is to say when we fully embrace the recognition that covenants with God are inherently covenants with each otherwe will finally be able to follow the guidance that these 8th Century BCE prophets gave to Israel anciently and which still resonate for us today. Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micha all make clear that, despite Israels apparent devotion to the sacrifices, rituals, feasts, and other religious practices which were central parts of its covenant with YHWH, God is displeased with Israel. Ezekiel was called to be a watchman for God with the chief task of warning his people about the terrible consequences of the sin of idolatry. Picking up where the question above leaves off, ] am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. "Gods," then, have a certain authority and claim over men, which men acknowledge by their worship and service. That the LORD is displeased with Israels adherence to the requirements of (what Latter-day Saints call) the Mosaic Law because the Mosaic Law is itself displeasing. The punishment of Israel had not ended even in Christ's time, more than 700 years after Israel's fall. We see similar language in the book of Amos. In the modern Latter-day Saint community, that notion is broadened a little, and justice is something closer to a synonym for fair or equitable. For example, the phrase God is just for many Latter-day Saint folks means something like God gives you what you deserve (good or bad). However, both uses are worlds away from what the 8th century BCE prophets Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah meant when they used that word. Because you did not have confidence in me, to acknowledge my holiness before the Israelites, therefore you shall not lead this assembly into the land I have given them, God told Moses. The Bible documents many periods where the Jews as a nation reverted back to Idolatry. But though God punishes, there is always the hope of repentance and restitution: "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord, "when the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. He died in 1660, and we honor him on Sept. 27. . The Moabites had rejoiced in the overthrow and exile of the Jews, and they also should be overthrown and their land possessed by others. ___ Aaron and his sons were consecrated as Gods priests. Rather, He punishes in the best way and at the best time to bring individuals to repentance. 6 I will send Assyria to fight against the people who do evil. I am angry with them, and I will command Assyria to fight against them. God told them to "get rid of them idola. (Ex 15:22), 2. strike Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water. God makes it clear that He has given the command to destroy them. This also applies on a smaller but more immediate scale: Amos has been sent by appointment, and he does not speak promiscuously. In this sense, the modern-day usage (perhaps especially in the Latter-day Saint community) of mercy is that it is the opposite of justice. If justice is getting what you deserve, then mercy is getting what you do not deserve. Oddly enough, about 3,000 were buried around on the Western side of Mount Sinai (Jebel al Lawz) in Arabia. Fortunately, in the same way that Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah were direct with Israel when it came to expressing the LORDs displeasure, these four prophets were similarly direct with Israel when it came to stating what Israel needed to do differently. The Diocese of Rochester In America 1868-1993, God punishes the Israelites for their sinfulness. In their own minds, they had reduced God to something they could control and call upon when convenient. Additionally, the apostles will be resurrected and sit as judges over the twelve tribes, ensuring that proper judgment is given (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30). The word we translate as justice (or judgment or justly) comes from the Hebrew word mishpat. Much later, Amos warned Israel, "Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are on the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from the face of the earth" (Amos 9:8). The fact remains that, long before the attacks occurred, critics of American moralityAmericans themselveshave been calling upon their fellow citizens to change their immoral ways. Near the end of this time, the Israelites were getting worn out from the journey. It is clear from Genesis 17:6 and Deuteronomy 17:14-20 that God anticipated Israel having a king or judge. Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness (Isa 1:17, 27). How did God punish the Israelites for complaining? What Can You Do Better? God is most certainly not to blame if He reacts in accordance with what He has told man He will do. The first of the Ten Commandmentssternly forbids it: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. of the Sinaic teachings. However, Ezekiel makes it clear that this cannot be the case. Throughout the Hebrew Bible, the prophets argued that the exile happened because the people failed to follow God's instructions. . The people said: 'This calf is our God who led us out of Egypt!'. Far less known are the ten times the released Israelites put God to the test in the days following their exodus. The book of Ezekiel is about idolatry. Deut. characteristic. He melted the gold and made a statue of a calf. Wealth is being funneled into the hands of the few, and the poor and weak keep becoming poorer and weaker. Ezekiel's primary audience was his fellow exiles in Babylon, but he also wrote to the Israelites at home in Jerusalem and all later readers of the Bible. Israel's Punishment He began priestly formation in 1595 and was ordained in 1600. A ban on idolatry is also one of the Noahide commandments, the seven laws that Judaism teaches . This ties what Amos would say to correct them to their responsibilities within that close relationship. The British produced a great empire far out of proportion to their population, native wealth, and abilities. Ezekiel wrote from Babylon, but his prophecies concerned Israel, Egypt, and several of the neighboring countries. First, Israel and Judah will have perfect leadership: Jesus Christ will be King, and David will be His prince (Ezekiel 37:24-25; Jeremiah 23:3-7; Hosea 3:5; Micah 2:12-13). In the verses above, righteousness points to ensuring that those who are on the margins of society are given what they need to prosper and flourish. Prophecy and the Sixth-Century Axial Period, Prepare to Meet Your God! God told Moses to take his staff and assemble the people. Their desire for flesh was a desire springing up amidst abundance. Read Chapter All Versions. . God is angry and will destroy the Israelites but Moses begs God to have mercy and remember His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob). I have heard some suggest that there is something wrong (or lacking) in the teachings that God gave at Sinai. GOD SEEKS REPENTANCE OR PUNISH ISRAELITES - Amos. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6). Look at the cause or spring of Israel's sin. II. Except for brief periods when Israel had a judge or king who did right in the eyes of God, the spiritual harlotry continued unabated until God formally divorced her, sending Israel and Judah into captivity. But this time the peace and prosperity will last, because two factors will be different. ___ God led the Israelites across the Sea of Galilee. "Therefore, behold, I wilt open the side of Mesh from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers." The Israelites failed because they would not put their complete trust in their one true God. A PUNISHMENT CORRESPONDING TO THEIR SIN. Further, God has been systematically removed from schools, from government, and from public life. Amos warns ancient Israel and her modern descendants, however, that no nation is so great that it can stand without God. Having a king was not the real issue because God had already planned for Israel to have a king. did not keep the covenant of God; they refused to walk in His law, and forgot His works and His wonders that He had shown them.
Former Weathernation Cast,
Portobello Villamartin Menu,
Paige From Dr Phil Update,
Failed Fbi Polygraph Appeal,
Articles H
