All of these occur as punishments for sin as God exacts His vengeance on "those who destroy the earth" (Revelation 11:18). Ezekiel lived during the time of the Babylonian exile. They once again complained to Moses. (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.) The people said: 'This calf is our God who led us out of Egypt!'. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! 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. God tacks it onto his upcoming deeds to explain the reason for the action. The first thing Amos needed to do, then, was establish his authority to preach against them. The idolatry of the northern kingdom went on for nearly two centuries. . All Rights Reserved. There were two acts of disobedience / incomplete obedience that caused God to reject Saul. Look at the cause or spring of Israel's sin. 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.". As early as the days of the founder of the Kingdom of Israel, Jeroboam I, God understood the direction Israel was taking. Corrupt or ambivalent leadership will no longer lead Israel astray; instead, the leaders will set the example of righteousness for the people to follow. 1. . Ezekiel was ordered by God to lie on his left side 390 days and on his right side 40 days. Ezra records that God moved King Cyrus to let . Mercy: The word mercy is commonly used nowadays to capture the idea of being favored, often undeservedly so. The people were always sinning against God by complaining, failing to follow his directions and laws, and by not trusting in him. tested Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty years. The Moabites had rejoiced in the overthrow and exile of the Jews, and they also should be overthrown and their land possessed by others. And what was that? I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. We each need to ask, "Have I let anything other than God take first place in my life? 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 people were always sinning against God by complaining, failing to follow his directions and laws, and by not trusting in him. Holiness refers to God's nature, and righteousness, to God's acts. 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. Although Yahweh was the national god to whom every Israelite owed allegiance, biblical and extra-biblical evidence demonstrate that the worship of additional gods had strong popular support. Such punishment precipitated Israel being scattered, taken into captivity into foreign lands, and losing their homeland, to which they have never returned. So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'". Indeed, God forecasts that exactly those conditions will face those living just before Christ's return (Matthew 24:37). Prepare to Meet Your God! Rather, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah suggest that Israel needed to do a better job practicing what, would call (eight centuries later!) You shall have no other gods before me." 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, . This also applies on a smaller but more immediate scale: Amos has been sent by appointment, and he does not speak promiscuously. Amos followed Elijah about 90-100 years later. 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. Prophecy and the Sixth-Century Axial Period, Prepare to Meet Your God! Israel's sin was first neglecting and then departing from God and the relationship. . 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. 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. Idolatry Punishment of Exclusion from heaven. Every organization must have a leader, so God lays down instructions as to how the leader should conduct himself in office. Also, every seventh year the land was to lie fallow (Lev. What is the meaning of john 8: 12? Having a king was not the real issue because God had already planned for Israel to have a king. Hesed expresses the notion of deep love characterized by loyalty and fidelity, which pours out of one to the other. Second, he makes a veiled warning, contained within the next five verses: Amos' words carry authority. Christ's death is an eschatological event, offering life to those who trust him ( John 3:16; Eph. A ban on idolatry is also one of the Noahide commandments, the seven laws that Judaism teaches . Herein lies the main theme of the book of Ezekiel. Here is how each of the four prophets expresses this: Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Ezekiel 36:22-24, 31-32). The title is of little importance. It is clear from Genesis 17:6 and Deuteronomy 17:14-20 that God anticipated Israel having a king or judge. 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. Further, God has been systematically removed from schools, from government, and from public life. Idolatry is among the most serious sins in Judaism and its rejection is core to the Jewish worldview. 2. It is as if he is saying, "Think about the practical ramifications of this." But were they true? In those from the north, there would be a natural resistance to such an arrangement. how did god punish the israelites for idolatry. 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). God does not sin, men do. that Israel was commanded to love and worship the L, to keep the Sinai teaching in their respective hearts, and that did not always happen. Even after all of the warnings from the Prophets, after receiving curse upon curse, Israel would NOT turn . However, the people of Israel failed to observe the terms of God's conditional promises to them. We are disgusted with this wretched food! they cried. Its what happens to people when they do something wrong; justice is served could be a superheros catchphrase when she nabs the bad guy. 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). 6 I will send Assyria to fight against the people who do evil. (From Forerunner Commentary). Sinai made them feel insecure. Introduction to the Book of Job and Its Themes, Major and Minor Prophetic Books of the Bible, 13 Articles of Faith: Simple Overview of What Mormons Believe, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University, Ezekiel's name means "God strengthens" or "may God strengthen. Herein lies the main theme of the book of Ezekiel. Books may be ordered directly from the author. A number of latter-day prophecies of various peoplesthe Edomites, for exampleforetell that God will make a complete end of them (Jeremiah 46:28). He will also destroy the works of our hand (Isaiah 1:15; 59:2-3; Psalms 28:5). 15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. strike Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water. 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. Books cost $37, plus $6 shipping - total $43. He will show them mercy because of the promises He made, not because they deserve it. Using the hints provided, put a T next to the sentences that are true and an F next to the ones that are false. Download PDF. Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness (Isa 1:17, 27). After Sinai there were many instances of disobedience. The British produced a great empire far out of proportion to their population, native wealth, and abilities. In modern-day usage, righteousness is often associated with personal piety. He may even have inspired them to occur and oversaw events so that they would. The process will be painful but also effective; Israel will come to repentance (Romans 11:25-29). 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. , put Israel in an uncomfortable position. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream (Amos 5:24). (Ex 30:30), 3. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. The issue between God and man is simply a matter of governmentof sovereignty and providence. Ezekiel's writings indicate that he was familiar with the duties and regulations of the priests regarding sacrifices and rituals. For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. This phrase indicates a very close bond, as in a marriage, from which ensues the sharing of life's experiences. Angels do not punish in the Bible except under God's command because it is God who can punish. First, "gods" are the object of man's worship and service. Contents1 Why did God take the Israelites through [] Yet, in my view, this does not seem to be the primary source of the problem either. Here in Ezra, we see that this 70 year period had elapsed, as Daniel had also anticipated (Dan. How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, and grieved Him in the desert! 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. "Earth" here represents all aspects of His creationincluding manwhich He created for man. It is from God that the authority for the prophet's message emanates. Given the centrality of these ideas in the Hebrew Bible, it is worth briefly exploring what these terms mean. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/introduction-to-the-book-of-ezekiel-701131. ", Because of their sins, as II Kings 17:18-20 indicates, God. 32 But I beg you to . Yosef Eisen, a noted historian and lecturer, tells the miraculous story and history of an eternal nation. God is managing it, governing it. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges.". So they were delivered up to the consequences of trying to love both the world and the Lord at the same time. 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.". We will be submissive either to God's will or to our own fickle drives. 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. Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Why wasnt Aaron punished for making the golden calf? (The Book of Amos) (Part Two). naturalizer vera silver. As a punishment for their sinfulness, God sent poisonous seraph serpents to bite the people, and many of them died. The Israelites failed because they would not put their complete trust in their one true God. After Satans Temptations, What Do You Do? 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. The people may have felt like they were worshiping God through the required performances. Exodus 20:2-6 ESV / 899 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. They have made a gold idol to be their god. When God rejected Saul, it is swift and decisive. Indeed, I think it is more likely that the people believed that they were doing things properly. Learn Religions, Dec. 6, 2021, learnreligions.com/introduction-to-the-book-of-ezekiel-701131. Despite this, they became very wealthy and self-indulgent, even oppressively so. During that period, Israel's sins continued to mount horribly. 5 March 2019. We can infer that Amos did not choose to be there before them. 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. From 1605-07 he was a slave in Tunisia after he was seized from a ship that pirates had attacked. . At least one answer is easily pushed aside. Answer (1 of 4): If my memory serves me correctlyof the approx 2M Israelites, only about 3,000 odd participated is some sort of a drunken orgy fest. However, just like the words, , this modern-day usage is not necessarily what Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah were expressing in the 8, suggest put us in a better place to understand the remarkable prophetic guidance of Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah. (The Book of Amos) (Part One). 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 ). We live lives of justice, righteousness, and mercy. What the Bible says about They even feel a kind of invincibility. Though the Latter-day Saint community does a great deal to reach out and help those around us, there are always ways to improvesomething encouraged by recent leaders. First, God and Israel have a special relationship: "You only have I known." They were to protect and bless the rich and the poor, the bonded and the free, the Israelite and the stranger. Though, does a great deal to reach out and help those around us, there are always ways to improvesomething encouraged by, . . Deut. 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. Says Micah: Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? This can only mean that God inspires and empowers the Assyrian nation to punish the nations of Israel for their flagrant disobediences. This deferment did not make Him unfaithful to the people, because His promises to them were conditional, based on their obedience to His revelation. We could not trust God if He did not hold to His promises of blessing and cursing (Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Mercy is used to describe the act of helping those whose behavior might not otherwise justify such magnanimity. (The Book of Amos) (Part Two), Searching for Israel (Part Seven): Seven Years' Punishment. 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). (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. But the Israelites did not kill the enemy, or even drive them out of the land. They were to protect and bless the rich and the poor, the bonded and the free, the Israelite and the stranger. Every indication is that we live during that time now. 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. . 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. Speaker 3 I will take away the hedge thereof. Bible scholars say God's warnings in Ezekiel finally cured Israel of the sin of idolatry. 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) Stephen in the Bible Was the First Christian Martyr. 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. . Fortunately, in the same way that Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah were direct with Israel when it came to expressing the L. displeasure, these four prophets were similarly direct with Israel when it came to stating what Israel needed to do differently. After Moses comes down from the mountain, the idol is destroyed and God punishes the people but having compassion, or caring for the Israelites, He does not destroy everyone. He establishes this through a series of illustrations posed as challenging questions that can logically be answered only one way. 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"? (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. In the Hebrew Bible, justice most often points to a social obligation to protect the weak and powerless from exploitation. . This over-the-top zealousness is not only insufficient but is, itself, a source of Gods disapproval. His aim is to awaken them from their spiritual lethargy. Searching for Israel (Part Seven): Seven Years' Punishment. Prophet after prophet challenged Israel even as Israel apparently kept the laws and ordinances it was given. In about AD 31, Christ says He was "not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). The covenant people, Israel, had profaned His name by their conduct among the other nations. America and the British nations are rapidly following ancient Israel's example as they spiral downward to their destruction. Beware, for the margin of safety is very slim. However, just like the words mishpat and tzedeq, this modern-day usage is not necessarily what Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah were expressing in the 8th Century BCE. Israel had better heed because his words are not idle. 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. God punished them to bring them to conversion, but in vain. 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. 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). This scathing condemnation concludes with the LORD saying, I will hide mine eyes from you I will not hear you.. However, for the sake of what is best for Jacob, God has to show him that He is serious about what He says. Oh, dread the mixed multitude. Thus, the problem Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah point to is not in regard to the revealed pattern of worship. So, what is it that Israel needed to do differently? He makes and unmakes nations (II Chronicles 20:6; Daniel 4:17; Acts 17:26). The strength of this claim over men is seen by the price which men are willing to pay in order to worship their gods. The Beast and Babylon (Part Seven): How Can Israel Be the Great Whore? . After Moses comes down from the mountain, the idol is destroyed and God punishes the people but having compassion, or caring for the Israelites, He does not destroy everyone. What should we learn from the golden calf incident in Exodus 32? 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."-. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!" Prophecy and the Sixth-Century Axial Period. . 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. 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.