So why did God choose Israel? 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. How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, and grieved Him in the desert! He took half the kingdom away from his son. 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. God told them to "get rid of them idola. One tribe after another made slaves out of the people. To violate the Sabbath day was a serious sin because it denied God's sovereignty. how did god punish the israelites for idolatryadductor side plank benefits Menu 3282 suwanee creek road. A number of latter-day prophecies of various peoplesthe Edomites, for exampleforetell that God will make a complete end of them (Jeremiah 46:28). They were to protect and bless the rich and the poor, the bonded and the free, the Israelite and the stranger. 40:2; Ezek. His contemporary was the prophetJeremiah. . How did god punish Solomon? - Answers The Northern 10 Tribes of Israel have disappeared, never to return. It is this process that God often uses to punish His people for apostasy and immorality. They even feel a kind of invincibility. 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. God believed the people had properly listened to the instructions God gave them. Exile - the final punishment - Life in a Dying World Punishment is imminent, at the very door. 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. The word we translate as justice (or judgment or justly) comes from the Hebrew word mishpat. Forms of the situation described here appear frequently in the history of Israel's relationship with God. 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. 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 ). However, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah were talking about something different when they used this word. Judah Didn't Learn from Israel's Punishment In Jeremiah 3:6-10 we see that Judah did not learn from Israel's sin and subsequent punishment. He is a husband and father of four who has previously written for poetry, international affairs, and LDS-related publications. They were to protect and bless the rich and the poor, the bonded and the free, the Israelite and the stranger. Why wasnt Aaron punished for making the golden calf? What the Bible says about Israel's Punishment - Bible Tools . Amos frames it this way: I [the LORD] hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Prophecy is both practical and positive, not all gloom and doom. A number of other prophecies concerning the Second Exodus relate how God will bless the land, which will once again produce abundantly. John W. Ritenbaugh Several hundred years after this, God inspired Isaiah to write, "Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger and the staff in whose hand is My indignation. Shepherds who will protect and restore Israel. . 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. "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Even after all of the warnings from the Prophets, after receiving curse upon curse, Israel would NOT turn . how did god punish the israelites for idolatry After all, the messages were not for them but for others because they considered themselves to be okay. In the Hebrew Bible, justice most often points to a social obligation to protect the weak and powerless from exploitation. Once God reveals Himself through His calling, the issue of government comes to the fore. St. Vincent de Paul was born in France in 1581. Charles Whitaker Just listen, you rebels! Moses angrily said to the people. Copyright 2022 Faith Community Church. Oh, dread the mixed multitude. The prophet Ezekiel was born around 622BCand preached for about 22 years. We will be submissive either to God's will or to our own fickle drives. He shaved his beard and head and used the hair as traditional symbols of humiliation. Prophecy and the Sixth-Century Axial Period, Prepare to Meet Your God! Israels sacred texts clearly outlined how and in what way Israel was to worship the God of the Exodus and Sinai. In Psalm 78:59-62, the psalmist Asaph relates that God, when He became aware of the idols of Israel. After Sinai there were many instances of disobedience. It is no accident that God and Israel have this relationship. 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. But if we keep our part of the agreement, we will reap the benefits that flow with God keeping His. 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. This can only mean that God inspires and empowers the Assyrian nation to punish the nations of Israel for their flagrant disobediences. (Nm 12:10-14), 4. In our modern world, this message is needed now more than ever. 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. Does that not sound familiar to an informed observer of our modern, American scene? They are designed to ensure that the king does not elevate himself above the people and rule as a despot. Brigham Young called upon modern Saints to examine their own hearts in this regard: 1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, "The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are blunted"? Israel had better heed because his words are not idle. Contents1 What did the Israelites do to the Canaanites?2 Why did God declare war on the Canaanites?3 What [] 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). God is most certainly not to blame if He reacts in accordance with what He has told man He will do. Nadab and Abihu did not abide by God's commandments for worship, but did as they saw fit (Leviticus 10). In Numbers 20, we read that the people were complaining about not having water to drink. In the verses above, tzedeq is the Hebrew word that is translated into the English word righteousness (and its derivatives). Israel's Punishment for Failing to Heed (Amos 4-5) February 24 But the Israelites did not kill the enemy, or even drive them out of the land. So they were delivered up to the consequences of trying to love both the world and the Lord at the same time. He also gave His people over to the sword, and was furious with His inheritance. After escaping his captors, he returned to France and worked in a parish outside of Paris. of the Sinaic teachings. 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. Ezekiel 36 shows this clearly. God eventually would become angry and punish the people for their sinfulness. Herein lies the main theme of the book of Ezekiel. In the verses above, is the Hebrew word that is translated into the English word righteousness (and its derivatives). Second, he makes a veiled warning, contained within the next five verses: Amos' words carry authority. 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 ties what Amos would say to correct them to their responsibilities within that close relationship. This scathing condemnation concludes with the LORD saying, I will hide mine eyes from you I will not hear you.. God punishes the Israelites for their sinfulness - Catholic Courier If God does not punish for sin, then righteousness loses all meaning. I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given them," says the Lord your God. Because God is holy and righteous, what He proclaimed to do against the heathen in the first chapter of Amos, He will also do to Israela people who had forsaken their covenant with Him. Put briefly: Israel needed to exercise justice, righteousness, and mercy. (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.) Beware, for the margin of safety is very slim. We each need to ask, "Have I let anything other than God take first place in my life? Every indication is that we live during that time now. As a punishment for their sinfulness, God sent poisonous seraph serpents to bite the people, and many of them died. Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. For example, a couple of years after being freed from slavery, God led the people to the border of Canaan, the land which God had promised them. Saul started off well and the people loved him. Punishment - That the World May Know | Welcome All Rights Reserved. Ezra records that God moved King Cyrus to let . What is the punishment for idolatry? It was also what they failed to do for each other. God will remember His covenant because He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5). We see similar language in the book of Amos. Themes in Ezekiel. Those things were important but not sufficient in and of themselves. Book of Ezekiel: Warning Against the Sin of Idolatry - Learn Religions Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!" Their desire for flesh was a desire springing up amidst abundance. Amos, a Jew from the southern kingdom, was sent by God to preach against the sins of the northern ten tribes. Choose from news (Monday), leisure (Thursday) or worship (Saturday) or get all three! Righteousness: In modern-day usage, righteousness is often associated with personal piety. God was going to punish the evil doers - the wicked - for their evil deeds. (Ezra 1:1) Why were the Jews exiled? | Evidence Unseen First, "gods" are the object of man's worship and service. was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight. Ezekiel packed his belongings as if heading on a journey. This led to much suffering, as in the holocaust. It wasnt just apathy or failure to perform religious ceremonies for which ancient Israel faced Gods judgments. Why did God command the Israelites to destroy entire nations? In Psalm 78:10-11, 40-42, 56-57, the psalmist mentions that Ephraim (meaning Israel at large). . Linking is encouraged, but republishing or redistributing, including by framing or similar means, without the publisher's prior written permission is prohibited. We could not trust God if He did not hold to His promises of blessing and cursing (Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Zavada, Jack. The Golden Calf - Chabad.org Why A Belief Crisis Need Never Be Fatal To Faith. 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. 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. Israel and Other Gods - Theopolis Institute Mercy is used to describe the act of helping those whose behavior might not otherwise justify such magnanimity. Read Chapter All Versions. After all, as Jesus said: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Yet they tested and provoked the Most High God, and did not keep His testimonies, but turned back and acted unfaithfully like their fathers. You shall have no other gods before me." characteristic. He began priestly formation in 1595 and was ordained in 1600. Why Did God Condemn Jehu? | Answers in Genesis Pray the Lord to take the serpents from us.. Indeed, I think it is more likely that the people believed that they were doing things properly. God said to speak to a rock and water would flow out of it. God gave the people specific instructions in order to be faithful to the Lord. So, they have no excuse they can use for worshiping idols. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!" Moreover take for yourself an iron plate, and set it as an . 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. Why Did God Reject King Saul? - Bible Issues Before, they just tuned them out. Yet, the naked truth is we cannot retain sovereignty to ourselves and still have what God is offering, entrance into the spiritual Kingdom of God. 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. What Was the Sin of the Golden Calf? - TheTorah.com However, for the sake of what is best for Jacob, God has to show him that He is serious about what He says. We should never forget that God's punishment falls upon Israel because of disobedience, rebellion, and sin. Then, the Lord heard and sent a judge to rescue them. Instead, he is to be thoroughly familiar with and guided by the attitudes and laws of God. Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? The Israelites' Sin and Punishment - Bible Hub Amos is declaring that God is involved in His creation; He has not gone way off. Someone is righteous when they follow the prophet and keep the commandments; these actions indicate their inward commitment. 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. David C. Grabbe Why Did God Choose Israel? - Life, Hope & Truth Israel is God's prey, as it were, and He is not roaring yet. Usually, the term is used in connection with groups like widows, orphans, resident aliens, or poor, and often in contexts where there are clear power differentials. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. What should we learn from the golden calf incident in Exodus 32? 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. And the reason that they were exiled was due to their sin. And Isaiah was not alone in portraying Gods displeasure with Israels worship. The Beast and Babylon (Part Seven): How Can Israel Be the Great Whore? Learn Religions, Dec. 6, 2021, learnreligions.com/introduction-to-the-book-of-ezekiel-701131. The Israelites must not allow themselves to be self-deceived. i am the light of the world. God's punishment Finally, after so many years of warnings, God brought upon the people of Judah the judgment about which Moses spoke. Yet, in my view, this does not seem to be the primary source of the problem either. The book of Ezekiel is categorized with the writings of the major prophets. He died in 1660, and we honor him on Sept. 27. 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. You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel. Chapter 1: "Amos" (v. 1). Today's Western culturea product of the nations of Israelis not so very different from Sodom and Gomorrah. (Ex 15:22), 2. Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness (Isa 1:17, 27). This is the first and great commandment. 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. Bible scholars say God's warnings in Ezekiel finally cured Israel of the sin of idolatry. 13-71shemot.doc. 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 joined because of their great respect for the God of Moses and the morality of Moses and his followers. The phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD" occurs about 60 times in the book. A deeper appreciation of scripture can help us recognize that we have room to grow. 44:29 ), and God did so in judging his son on behalf of his people. God's punishment, though, is never an end in itself, nor does He punish in wild anger or frustration. As Numbers 14:20-23 says: Then the Lord said: "I have pardoned, according to your word, but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord because all these men who . Israels sacred texts clearly outlined how and in what way Israel was to worship the God of the Exodus and Sinai. He is there by no accident. (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.) (NIV), Ezekiel 34:23-24I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. . (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. 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 weightier matters of the Sinaic teachings. And what was that? What happened to the Ark of the Covenant. In Latter-day Saint vernacular, the term that comes closest to expressing this ideal is probably charity.

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