John W. Ritenbaugh 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. Israel had better heed because his words are not idle. God lives and He always rules and judgesjust as surely today as He did thousands of years ago. Rather, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah suggest that Israel needed to do a better job practicing what Jesus would call (eight centuries later!) Rather, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah suggest that Israel needed to do a better job practicing what, would call (eight centuries later!) And what was that? After articulating all the things that the L, had done for Israel from Egypt onward, Micah asks Israel a series of stinging rhetorical questions that serve to undermine Israels approach to worship. Moses then struck the rock twice with his staff, and a huge amount of water began to flow. The rich and powerful will not be able to escape the dreadful punishment God promises. And yet, multiple prophets challenged Israels adherence to the very laws and ordinances that were part of this prophetically-given covenant guide. And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD," says the Lord GOD, "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. The L, 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 L. . shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?. The Israelites were given the unpleasant task of carrying out the Lord's judgment against the Canaanites.The Israelites waged war against the Canaanites because the Lord commanded them to. In my anger I will use Assyria to punish Israel. Much negative, indeed inflammatory commentary, arose in America's newspapers and radio and television programs when some suggested that we are not as innocent as we like to think we are and that we must consider the attacks of September 11 to be a judgment from God and repent. "Earth" here represents all aspects of His creationincluding manwhich He created for man. Clearly, God judges the inhabitants of His creation, and His judgments are not limited to Israel or to "biblical times." Beware, for the margin of safety is very slim. We could not trust God if He did not hold to His promises of blessing and cursing (Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). These people were taught about the true living God over a long period of time. Ezekiel 14:6Therefore say to the people of Israel, This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! God told Moses to take his staff and assemble the people. In Latter-day Saint vernacular, the term that comes closest to expressing this ideal is probably charity. God believed the people had properly listened to the instructions God gave them. . Punishment is imminent, at the very door. In our modern world, this message is needed now more than ever. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!" The book of Ezekiel is about idolatry. If you mean "How did God punish Solomon for having many wives and allowing worship of other gods in Israel " then this is the answer. His holiness and righteousness required this punishment. Sinai made them feel insecure. and delivered His strength into captivity, and His glory into the enemy's hand. "Therefore, behold, I wilt open the side of Mesh from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers." That specific sacrifices, rituals, feasts, and other religious practices were central parts of its covenant with YHWH was beyond doubt. 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. But the Israelites did not kill the enemy, or even drive them out of the land. Amos warns ancient Israel and her modern descendants, however, that no nation is so great that it can stand without God. It is no accident that God and Israel have this relationship. They even feel a kind of invincibility. (Ezekiel 36:22-24, 31-32). 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. 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. 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). Mercy is used to describe the act of helping those whose behavior might not otherwise justify such magnanimity. Aaron also knows which god the Israelites intended the calf to represent: "Tomorrow shall be a festival of YHWH!," ( - ) he proclaims (32:5). 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. Due to the corrupt sacrifices the children of Israel made unto the Lord he pronounced a cursed upon them "But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing."-. When his wife died, he was told not to mourn her. He found out about the Church when he was 17 from a Church member in high school. 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). 2:8-9) and judgment upon those who don't ( John 3:18 ). Using the hints provided, put a T next to the sentences that are true and an F next to the ones that are false. . St. Vincent de Paul was born in France in 1581. 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. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood., summarily dismiss Israels worship practice; the L, says that these practicesthe sacrifices, rituals, and feasts they are under obligation to do as part of the covenantare iniquity and an abomination, and that my soul hateth them. Observe next the occasion of Israel's sin. 6 I will send Assyria to fight against the people who do evil. Oh, dread the mixed multitude. Only in, (and only in one verse) is there any indication that Israel was not focused on worshiping God. 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. 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. 1. Amos was a godly layman (i.e., with no formal ministry training or position) who earned his living as a shepherd and a grower of sycamore figs (7:14). In Numbers 20, we read that the people were complaining about not having water to drink. We should never forget that God's punishment falls upon Israel because of disobedience, rebellion, and sin. 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. According to the Bible, the worship of these gods was often promoted by kings and members of the royal court. Moses had a pretty tough job. Copyright 2023 Rochester Catholic Press Association, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. "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. The most explicit is that Moses and the Levites kill about 3,000 men: "kill each man his brother, each man his neighbor, and each man his relative.". Mr. Seiglie was born in Havana, Cuba, and came to the United States when he was a child. 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. 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). What the Bible says about A deeper appreciation of scripture can help us recognize that we have room to grow. They once again complained to Moses. Thousands of academic, scientific, and engineering breakthroughs and inventions have sprung from British and American individuals, discoveries which greatly affected the rest of this world. Mercy: The word mercy is commonly used nowadays to capture the idea of being favored, often undeservedly so. II. And so in Isaiah, God talks about how he built a beautiful garden vineyard. DISINFECT COVID-19; OUR SYSTEM; GET FREE QUOTE; 888-584-6999; 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 Beast and Babylon (Part Seven): How Can Israel Be the Great Whore? This is the responsibility of those who have made a covenant with Him, whether the Old or the New Covenant. Its what happens to people when they do something wrong; justice is served could be a superheros catchphrase when she nabs the bad guy. Besides giving oral warnings, Ezekiel performed physical actions which served as symbolic plays for the exiles to learn from. His warning of impending calamity would not come if they were not deserving of it. 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. The Israelites must not allow themselves to be self-deceived. The people would repent and ask Moses to pray to God for forgiveness, which God always granted. Once God reveals Himself through His calling, the issue of government comes to the fore. Israel exhibited again and again its refusal to obey God. Introduction to the Book of Ezekiel. Pray the Lord to take the serpents from us.. The book of Ezekiel is categorized with the writings of the major prophets. Therefore I was angry with that generation. This over-the-top zealousness is not only insufficient but is, itself, a source of Gods disapproval. 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. Israels sacred texts clearly outlined how and in what way Israel was to worship the God of the Exodus and Sinai. A ban on idolatry is also one of the Noahide commandments, the seven laws that Judaism teaches . . Deut. Much of the thrust of Amos is an education for catastrophe. First, "gods" are the object of man's worship and service. 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. Israel's Punishment, Searching for Israel (Part Eight): The Scattering of Ten-Tribed Israel, Prepare to Meet Your God! Religiously, they were trying to walk a tightrope between God and Baal. 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. 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. Zavada, Jack. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And thus the next day, when the Israelites bring sacrifices before the calf, there can hardly be any misunderstanding: they are sacrificing to YHWH. Indeed, I think it is more likely that the people, doing things properly. 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.

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