He may even have inspired them to occur and oversaw events so that they would. . First, "gods" are the object of man's worship and service. The Bible documents many periods where the Jews as a nation reverted back to Idolatry. Critics assert that Israel's history demonstrates the weakness of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in that their God could not keep His promises. 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. The prophet begins in the first two verses with a "thus saith the LORD," providing the foundation for all that follows. And Isaiah was not alone in portraying Gods displeasure with Israels worship. He melted the gold and made a statue of a calf. Aaron said: 'Give me your gold.'. Moses had a pretty tough job. ", Because of their sins, as II Kings 17:18-20 indicates, God. will redeem the property that had been sold or free Israelites from their debt bondage. 9:1-2). They began to worship the golden calf, and they . ___ Moses sister, Miriam, was blind for seven days. Amos. . The problem, according to these prophets, seems to be that Israel had failed to recognize that being, required more than adherence to specific sacrifices, rituals, feasts, and other religious practices. Rather, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah suggest that Israel needed to do a better job practicing what Jesus would call (eight centuries later!) He did as God asked and led the people to the Promised Land. Amos is declaring that God is involved in His creation; He has not gone way off. God will punish Israel for her failure to live up to her responsibilities within the covenant. Israel had been exiled by the Babylonians for a while at the time that Jeremiah was ministering. . Ezekiel, Israel's leaders, Ezekiel's wife, and King Nebuchadnezzar. Christ's death is an eschatological event, offering life to those who trust him ( John 3:16; Eph. Because He does not want His name to be profaned in any way, He is very concerned about those who bear it (Exodus 20:7). In the Hebrew Bible, justice most often points to a social obligation to protect the weak and powerless from exploitation. (NIV), Prophesies about doom and destruction (1:1 - 24:27), Prophesies condemning foreign nations (25:1 - 32:32), Prophesies of hope and restoration of Israel (33:1 - 48:35), Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. That is to say, that in offering sacrifices or participating in festivals, Israel was not actually worshiping God but instead simply fulfilling outward requirements without any deeper covenantal connection. 17 They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. God does not sin, men do. Mishpat, in the Hebrew Bibleand as used by Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah in the verses abovereflects the idea of ensuring that the weakest members of society are protected from exploitation. Rather, He punishes in the best way and at the best time to bring individuals to repentance. The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). Or, as another example, if a member of the community had to sell their familys land or becomes subject to debt bondage a person who exercises mishpat will redeem the property that had been sold or free Israelites from their debt bondage. I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. He makes and unmakes nations (II Chronicles 20:6; Daniel 4:17; Acts 17:26). The Israelites' lack of faith while Moses was on Mt. As part of their recognition that God owned everything, the Israelites were to set apart the seventh day for the Lord. Rather, He punishes in the best way and at the best time to bring individuals to repentance. Learn Religions. 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. Other themes include the sovereignty of Godover the entire world, God's holiness, right worship, corrupt leaders, the restoration of Israel, and the coming of a Messiah. The book of Ezekiel was written between 593 BC and 573 BC. Just listen, you rebels! Moses angrily said to the people. This scathing condemnation concludes with the LORD saying, I will hide mine eyes from you I will not hear you.. 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. They joined because of their great respect for the God of Moses and the morality of Moses and his followers. Here in Ezra, we see that this 70 year period had elapsed, as Daniel had also anticipated (Dan. 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. Put briefly: Israel needed to exercise justice, righteousness, and mercy. The same sins are committed in the same brazen manner. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8). It is God's authority and. They did not remember His power. God told them to "get rid of them idola. Jesus emphatically asserts in the Sermon on the Mount that we should not think that He came to destroy the law or the prophets (Matthew 5:17). While it was certainly not perfect in every respect, Israel seems to have been keeping Sabbath, practicing temple rituals, including sacrifices, and holding many of the appropriate festivals. The strength of this claim over men is seen by the price which men are willing to pay in order to worship their gods. Faith Community Church3755 Washington Boulevard, Suite 201Fremont, CA 94538(408) 721-4900info@fccbay.org. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6). They have made a gold idol to be their god. Even after they entered the 'promised' land, as individuals and as a nation the Jews turned back to idolatry. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Most of prophecy begins negatively but ends positively because God is confident that what He prophesied will accomplish His end, which is always good! ", Third: One cannot snare a bird unless a trap is set, and then somethingin this case a birdhas to cause the trap to spring shut. We cannot have it both ways. Moses did, and God told him to make a bronze serpent and place it on a pole. So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'". To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? Every organization must have a leader, so God lays down instructions as to how the leader should conduct himself in office. What follows is a general pattern of God's operation in His people's behalf. Israel's Punishment for Failing to Heed (Amos 4-5) February 24 Amos again reminded Israel of the way God had dealt with them since they came out of Egypt and how they had ignored the warnings. What Can You Do Better? But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream (Amos 5:24). The clear answer to Micahs questions about whether God is pleased by the prospect of thousands of rams, ten thousands of rivers of oil, or even my firstborn is no. (See, for instance, Exodus 12:14; 13:13; 20:22-23:33; Exodus 34:11-26; Deuteronomy 12-26; Leviticus 17-26 as a start.) The issue between God and man is simply a matter of governmentof sovereignty and providence. David makes a. 2 Kings, OLD TESTAMENT. 25:1-7). 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. 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. . Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Throughout the Hebrew Bible, the prophets argued that the exile happened because the people failed to follow God's instructions. Herein lies the main theme of the book of Ezekiel. God's punishment, though, is never an end in itself, nor does He punish in wild anger or frustration. Beware, for the margin of safety is very slim. December 30, 2018 ; By James . The Bible makes it clear that human nature is violently evil, and when left unchecked as it was before the Flood, it will reproduce similar conditions (Genesis 6:5). Where justice is protecting the weakest members of society from exploitation (defending them), righteousness is taking steps to help those who need it (uplifting them). That's just one of many symbolic visions and performances of this ancient prophet, who predicted the destruction of Israel and the idolatrous nations around it. American influence has since exceeded even that of Britain, making English the universal language of business and politics. In the New Testament, Paul declared of those who tried to make representations of God: "Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible manand birds and four-footed animals and creeping things" (Romans 1:22-23). https://www.learnreligions.com/introduction-to-the-book-of-ezekiel-701131 (accessed March 4, 2023). 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. 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. You shall have no other gods before me." ___ God led the Israelites across the Sea of Galilee. He promises good health (Exodus 15:26), prosperity (Malachi 3:8-12), children (Psalm 127:3-5), security (Psalm 46), and many other blessings besides His greatest gift, eternal life in His Kingdom (John 17:1-3; Romans 6:23)! People in high places are claiming we all worship the same God; they say the God of Islam and the God of Christianity are the same! shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?. . Hesed is a love so deep it can always be trustedit is the type of love that is foundational to covenant relationships. 16 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. Yet, we can also see God's mercy in His dealings with His people. His warning of impending calamity would not come if they were not deserving of it. Religiously, they were trying to walk a tightrope between God and Baal. Ezekiel lived during the time of the Babylonian exile. (The Book of Amos) (Part Two), Searching for Israel (Part Seven): Seven Years' Punishment. What the LORD desired and required of Israelthe things that the LORD also wanted Israel to dowas to protect and bless the people in their community. Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 establish that, if one does well, God will bless him. 3. All who had been bitten would be healed if they gazed upon the bronze serpent, God said. 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. . "You shall have no other gods before me. Linking is encouraged, but republishing or redistributing, including by framing or similar means, without the publisher's prior written permission is prohibited. . Lay siege against it, build a siege wall against it, and heap up a mound against it; set camps against it also, and place battering rams against it all around. The LORD wanted the people of Israel to show all of their neighbors the same deep fidelity and commitmentthat is to say, covenantal lovewhich they had received from the LORD. 32 But I beg you to . Ezekiel 14:6Therefore say to the people of Israel, This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! They said to Aaron: 'We want someone to lead us. John W. Ritenbaugh Yes, it was certainly the case that Israel was commanded to love and worship the LORD and to keep the Sinai teaching in their respective hearts, and that did not always happen. First: People traveling in the same direction toward exactly the same destination would hardly meet except by appointment. God didn't. was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight. Make a god for us!'. God punished them to bring them to conversion, but in vain. Moreover take for yourself an iron plate, and set it as an . Because of their idolatry (11:8, 10b-11, 13-14, 17; 13:10b, 27) and their evil conduct (11:10a, 11, 15b-16, 19-23; 13:9), God had to punish Israel. Much of the thrust of Amos is an education for catastrophe. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. We each need to ask, "Have I let anything other than God take first place in my life? The people were sent into exile in Babylon because of their sins. A deeper appreciation of scripture can help us recognize that we have room to grow. 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. was furious, and greatly abhorred Israel, so that He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, . God remarks in II Kings 17:18, after providing a long list of Israel's sins, "Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone.". 5 March 2019. Ezekiel packed his belongings as if heading on a journey. This appears as early as Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve reject God's rule over them. 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. In my anger I will use Assyria to punish Israel. God had Moses send out 12 scouts to check out the land. Righteousness: In modern-day usage, righteousness is often associated with personal piety. Oddly enough, about 3,000 were buried around on the Western side of Mount Sinai (Jebel al Lawz) in Arabia. But this time the peace and prosperity will last, because two factors will be different. Learn Religions, Dec. 6, 2021, learnreligions.com/introduction-to-the-book-of-ezekiel-701131. They once again complained to Moses. 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. Amos speaks strongly against public and private indifference toward the keeping of the second of the two great commandments (Matthew 22:37-40). Says Micah: Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? 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. 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. This ties what Amos would say to correct them to their responsibilities within that close relationship. As used by Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah, tzedeq is characterized by the idea of proactively caring for those who are disadvantaged or pursuing communal flourishing, even when it comes at the expense of self-interest. Oracles against Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, Egypt. Indeed, I think it is more likely that the people, doing things properly. Despite these atrocious sins, God will not utterly destroy Israel as He did to Sodom and Gomorrah. He began priestly formation in 1595 and was ordained in 1600. There were two acts of disobedience / incomplete obedience that caused God to reject Saul. is characterized by the idea of proactively caring for those who are disadvantaged or pursuing communal flourishing, even when it comes at the expense of self-interest. The book of Ezekiel is categorized with the writings of the major prophets. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. The Sign. Also Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. As part of the punishment for Israel's persistent idolatry, God handed the northern kingdom of Israel over to the Assyrians. First, the Israelites began to serve the false gods of the nations that they failed to remove from the land. We will be submissive either to God's will or to our own fickle drives. The Israelites failed because they would not put their complete trust in their one true God. . 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. As used by Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah. 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 prophet Micah takes a different approach but delivers the same basic message as his prophetic contemporaries. And that kind of disobedience and idolatry has consequences. 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. Someone is righteous when they follow the prophet and keep the commandments; these actions indicate their inward commitment. After all of these miracles were done, including the ten plagues on the Egyptians, the Israelites came out of Egypt with a renewed belief in the God of their fathers. 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. connotes a social obligation. 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. The Bible prophesies scores of horrific punishments: epidemics of incurable diseases; wars; fires burning fields, forests, and homes; earthquakes; famines; floods from raging seas; violent weather patterns; and infestations of insects and wild animals. David C. Grabbe What was God's punishment to the Israelites? keeping the commandments. and delivered His strength into captivity, and His glory into the enemy's hand. Before, they just tuned them out. Israel and Judah will have the Promised Land, they will have peacebecause this time their enemies will be completely destroyed, which Israel failed to do the first timeand they will have prosperity. Yosef Eisen, a noted historian and lecturer, tells the miraculous story and history of an eternal nation. And, apparently, Israel was largely doing the things it had been asked to do. This phrase indicates a very close bond, as in a marriage, from which ensues the sharing of life's experiences. For instance, during some sort of civil dispute, a person who exercises mishpat will take the side of widows or orphans and defend them against those who are more powerful. 18 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. Israel's sacred texts clearly outlined how and in what way Israel was to worship the God of the Exodus and Sinai. They were still "lost" in His day, not having returned to Canaan. 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. God's punishment, though, is never an end in itself, nor does He punish in wild anger or frustration. 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. Copyright 2022 Faith Community Church. Second: Lions do not roar unless they have taken their prey because they do not want to scare their intended prey away. From 1605-07 he was a slave in Tunisia after he was seized from a ship that pirates had attacked. We should never forget that God's punishment falls upon Israel because of disobedience, rebellion, and sin. KING JEHU KILLED IDOL WORSHIPERS - 2 Kings. Punishment For Idolatry Leviticus 26:1ESV / 11 helpful votes HelpfulNot Helpful "You shall not make idols for yourselves or erect an image or pillar, and you shall not set up a figured stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am the Lordyour God. (Amos 9:13-15). . Thousands of citizens of Israel, including Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin, had been captured and taken to Babylonabout 597 BC. After all, the messages were not for them but for others because they considered themselves to be okay. God will remember His covenant because He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5). God Eventually Returning to Them and Having Compassion on Them Post-Christian Europe has transgressed even further. 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. It wasnt just apathy or failure to perform religious ceremonies for which ancient Israel faced Gods judgments. Charles Whitaker In all of God's dealings with Israel and Judah, and especially regarding the Second Exodus, we see His perfect application of justice and mercy. The British produced a great empire far out of proportion to their population, native wealth, and abilities. 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. Isaiah writes that Jerusalem, symbolizing all the tribes of Israel, will receive double for her sins because of her privileged position under the covenant (Isaiah 40:2). Rather, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah suggest that Israel needed to do a better job practicing what, would call (eight centuries later!) Amos warns ancient Israel and her modern descendants, however, that no nation is so great that it can stand without God. Also, every seventh year the land was to lie fallow (Lev. And what was that? But when the punishment is done, He will bring His people back to the land that He promised them and give them rest and peace. Although Moses was Gods faithful servant, even he once sinned against God. To help Moses prove the existence and power of God, he was given a number of miraculous signs to help the Israelites believe. As a punishment for their sinfulness, God sent poisonous seraph serpents to bite the people, and many of them died. The word mercy is commonly used nowadays to capture the idea of being favored, often undeservedly so. He establishes this through a series of illustrations posed as challenging questions that can logically be answered only one way. They were behaving and worshipping like Baal worshippers but doing it in the name of the Lord. We could not trust God if He did not hold to His promises of blessing and cursing (Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Only in Amos (and only in one verse) is there any indication that Israel was not focused on worshiping God. Contents1 What did the Israelites do to the Canaanites?2 Why did God declare war on the Canaanites?3 What [] Therefore I was angry with that generation. Bible scholars say God's warnings in Ezekiel finally cured Israel of the sin of idolatry. (The Book of Amos) (Part One). God would now destroy Israel as a political power, saying, in effect, "enough is enough." If He allowed Israel and Judah to sin with impunity, His laws would have no authority, and His words would be of no consequence. Every indication is that we live during that time now. In the verses above, tzedeq is the Hebrew word that is translated into the English word righteousness (and its derivatives). Prophet after prophet challenged Israel even as Israel apparently kept the laws and ordinances it was given. (Ezekiel 36:22-24, 31-32). It is from God that the authority for the prophet's message emanates. Its what happens to people when they do something wrong; justice is served could be a superheros catchphrase when she nabs the bad guy. Moses obeyed God, and, just as God had promised, those who were bitten and gazed upon the bronze serpent recovered. In carrying out judgment on Ahab, God commissioned Jehu to destroy Ahab, the king of Israel, and his family. The core problem of Israelaccording to Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micahwas the lack of justice, righteousness, and mercy. How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, and grieved Him in the desert! The overall effect of these sins produced a careless disregard for the simple duties people owe their neighbors, as well as oppression of the weak. Since the One who judged during Old Testament times is the same One who judges today, we can be certain that He uses the same standards now that He did then. Historically, the punishment for idolatry was often death. What is the punishment for idolatry? 1. (This is the same reason why Nephi killed Laban.) He found out about the Church when he was 17 from a Church member in high school. Why A Belief Crisis Need Never Be Fatal To Faith. Afterward, however, the sense of being innocent victims of a sneaky and undeserved attack made the hearers feel that the messages were demeaning and insulting. What is the meaning of john 8: 12? As a result, it has yet to enter into the peace, prosperity, and eternal possession of the land He promised the patriarchs. But over hundreds of years Israel repeatedly broke the covenant and the penalties eventually kicked-in. Someone is righteous when they follow the prophet and keep the commandments; these actions indicate their inward commitment. What happened to the Ark of the Covenant.
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