Look at the cause or spring of Israel's sin. The rich and powerful will not be able to escape the dreadful punishment God promises. 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 text goes a far way to explicitly present the Levites in the favorable role . Even after they entered the 'promised' land, as individuals and as a nation the Jews turned back to idolatry. This phrase indicates a very close bond, as in a marriage, from which ensues the sharing of life's experiences. God gave the people specific instructions in order to be faithful to the Lord. First, God and Israel have a special relationship: "You only have I known." As a punishment for their sinfulness, God sent poisonous seraph serpents to bite the people, and many of them died. If said with just the right inflection, the word justice feels punitive. 2 Bible Summary (Numbers 10-36) Departure from Sinai (10) The fire and the quail (11) Miriam's rebellion and leprosy (12) Spying out Canaan -rebellion upon report of spies (13) Zavada, Jack. The Bible documents many periods where the Jews as a nation reverted back to Idolatry. shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?. But were they true? Choose from news (Monday), leisure (Thursday) or worship (Saturday) or get all three! (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. This can only mean that God inspires and empowers the Assyrian nation to punish the nations of Israel for their flagrant disobediences. Given the centrality of these ideas in the Hebrew Bible, it is worth briefly exploring what these terms mean. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! God responds fiercely, sending venomous snakes, which immediately kill many complaining Israelites. Spiritually, this demand confirms Israel's whorish behavior, and thus God tells Samuel to describe the national effects of her demand. . That specific sacrifices, rituals, feasts, and other religious practices were central parts of its covenant with YHWH was beyond doubt. 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. Using the hints provided, put a T next to the sentences that are true and an F next to the ones that are false. Is that so? Ezekiel, Israel's leaders, Ezekiel's wife, and King Nebuchadnezzar. In the Hebrew Bible, justice most often points to a social obligation to protect the weak and powerless from exploitation. Moreover take for yourself an iron plate, and set it as an . In addition to the undisputed fact of God's sovereignty over Israel, ample additional evidence exists to show that He exercises equal dominion over the other nations of the world. And Isaiah was not alone in portraying Gods displeasure with Israels worship. Far less known are the ten times the released Israelites put God to the test in the days following their exodus. 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 8. century BCE prophets Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah meant when they used that word. 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. 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. They have been flippantly careless and have no one to blame but themselves. connotes a social obligation. Deut. 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. Rather, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah suggest that Israel needed to do a better job practicing what Jesus would call (eight centuries later!) (When the act of worship becomes more important than the purpose of worship, what I have previously called, , we stray into potential idol worship, a practice many Hebrew Bible prophets condemn.) Amos followed Elijah about 90-100 years later. In Latter-day Saint vernacular, the term that comes closest to expressing this ideal is probably charity. 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.". 44:29 ), and God did so in judging his son on behalf of his people. Finally, God's people cried out to him for help. 16 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. Beware, for the margin of safety is very slim. Email him at Email or write to Yosef Eisen, 2337 Sherbrook St., Pittsburgh PA, 15217. The word we translate as justice (or judgment or justly) comes from the Hebrew word, , 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. They once again complained to Moses. Ezekiel 14:6Therefore say to the people of Israel, This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! God chose the ancient Israelites because He had promised Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation and occupy the land of Canaan ( Genesis 12:3, 7; 17:4, 7-8; 22:17 ). The word we translate as justice (or judgment or justly) comes from the Hebrew word mishpat. Unless otherwise noted, all material copyright 2023, Rochester Catholic Press Association, Inc. 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. According to the Bible, the worship of these gods was often promoted by kings and members of the royal court. He is stalking you, and you are in mortal danger. In Judges 3, we read: So the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites . but He also punishes the evil. December 30, 2018 ; By James . Shepherds who will protect and restore Israel. This over-the-top zealousness is not only insufficient but is, itself, a source of Gods disapproval. . Angels do not punish in the Bible except under God's command because it is God who can punish. Such power and influence have made both nations feel they have an unlimited reservoir of natural ability and wealth. (When the act of worship becomes more important than the purpose of worship, what I have previously called ecclesiolatry, we stray into potential idol worship, a practice many Hebrew Bible prophets condemn.) 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. It wasnt just apathy or failure to perform religious ceremonies for which ancient Israel faced Gods judgments. God said to speak to a rock and water would flow out of it. Bible scholars say God's warnings in Ezekiel finally cured Israel of the sin of idolatry. God punished Israel for its disobedience by deferring the fulfillment of His promises to the patriarchs. He shaved his beard and head and used the hair as traditional symbols of humiliation. After articulating all the things that the LORD had done for Israel from Egypt onward, Micah asks Israel a series of stinging rhetorical questions that serve to undermine Israels approach to worship. tested Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty years. 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. Israels sacred texts clearly outlined how and in what way Israel was to worship the God of the Exodus and Sinai. And Isaiah was not alone in portraying Gods displeasure with Israels worship. God Knew Israel's True Thoughts He knew that idolatry reached farther than just having an object on the mantle. Their rise or fall is largely dependent upon His purpose for them and their significance in prophecy (e.g. The Beast and Babylon (Part Seven): How Can Israel Be the Great Whore? Fifth: It is illogical to think that God would punish without first warning His people. He also gave His people over to the sword, and was furious with His inheritance. 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. They will be given a new heart, and will finally be able to know their God (Ezekiel 11:17-20; 36:24-29). Israel's sin was first neglecting and then departing from God and the relationship. There are two basic reasons: God was fulfilling a promise to Abraham. 17 They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. 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. On Israel's part, it is a complete rejection of her marriage vows; she wants her Benefactor and HusbandGodto have no say in her life, declaring herself free of Him and to be completely and totally a nation of this world, no longer the type of God's Kingdom on earth. Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 establish that, if one does well, God will bless him. And when we fully embrace the reality that the covenants we make at baptism and in the temple cannot be kept without walking, 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 8, Century BCE prophets gave to Israel anciently and which still resonate for us today. 25:1-7). 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. The people would repent and ask Moses to pray to God for forgiveness, which God always granted. This scathing condemnation concludes with the LORD saying, I will hide mine eyes from you I will not hear you.. Clearly, God judges the inhabitants of His creation, and His judgments are not limited to Israel or to "biblical times." Copyright 2022 Faith Community Church. These people were taught about the true living God over a long period of time. Conversely, God strongly warns that, if one does not do well, He will surely punish him. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? The Diocese of Rochester In America 1868-1993, God punishes the Israelites for their sinfulness. They were to protect and bless the rich and the poor, the bonded and the free, the Israelite and the stranger. 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. 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. However, while all of this might be true, hypocrisy does not seem to be the core problem that resulted in such strong language from Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah. Those things were important but not sufficient in and of themselves. 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. Yet, in my view, this does not seem to be the primary source of the problem either. The prophet begins in the first two verses with a "thus saith the LORD," providing the foundation for all that follows. God's Glory Fills the Tabernacle (Exodus 33:134:35; 40:138), God Tells Israel Where to Worship (Exodus 25:1-27:21; 30:1-10, 17-21), Faith Community Church, 3755 Washington Blvd, Suite 201, Fremont, CA 94538, God Punishes Israel's Idolatry (Exodus 32:1-35). His warning of impending calamity would not come if they were not deserving of it. God makes it clear that He has given the command to destroy them. Life will soon become a violent free-for-all (Ecclesiastes 8:11). the weightier matters of the Sinaic teachings. 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, . They were behaving and worshipping like Baal worshippers but doing it in the name of the Lord. 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. Today's Western culturea product of the nations of Israelis not so very different from Sodom and Gomorrah. They did not remember His power. The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment Sign up for the Berean: Daily Verse and Comment, and have Biblical truth delivered to your inbox. A deeper appreciation of scripture can help us recognize that we have room to grow. I the Lord have spoken. John W. Ritenbaugh "Earth" here represents all aspects of His creationincluding manwhich He created for man. He makes and unmakes nations (II Chronicles 20:6; Daniel 4:17; Acts 17:26). I am angry with them, and I will command Assyria to fight against them. God will remember His covenant because He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5). The patriarchs were, as God attests again and again, faithful. 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). 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. How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, and grieved Him in the desert! America and the British nations are rapidly following ancient Israel's example as they spiral downward to their destruction. Near the end of this time, the Israelites were getting worn out from the journey. Israel's sacred texts clearly outlined how and in what way Israel was to worship the God of the Exodus and Sinai. . We have sinned in complaining against the Lord and you, they said. 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 word mercy is commonly used nowadays to capture the idea of being favored, often undeservedly so. "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil" (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Corresponding to the 40 days that the spies toured the land, God decreed that the Israelites would wander in the wilderness for 40 years as a result of their unwillingness to take the land .God brought victories where needed, and his promise to Abraham was . The Moabites had rejoiced in the overthrow and exile of the Jews, and they also should be overthrown and their land possessed by others. 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. Israel's Punishment Introduction to the Book of Ezekiel. Moses had a pretty tough job. He may even have inspired them to occur and oversaw events so that they would. As a result, it has yet to enter into the peace, prosperity, and eternal possession of the land He promised the patriarchs. He will uproot Israel from this good land which He gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the [Euphrates] River, because they have made their wooden images, provoking the LORD to anger. Those things were important but not sufficient in and of themselves. While Moses was on the mountain, the Israelites chose to make an idol for themselves and worship it even after hearing the ten commandments from God, seeing His power. The process will be painful but also effective; Israel will come to repentance (Romans 11:25-29). Terms and Conditions, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. DISINFECT COVID-19; OUR SYSTEM; GET FREE QUOTE; 888-584-6999;

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