As the Bible has recorded in great detail, mankind has shown that it wants to retain this authority to itself. The Israelites were sinking into the worship of other gods. We each need to ask, "Have I let anything other than God take first place in my life? Israel's Punishment, Searching for Israel (Part Eight): The Scattering of Ten-Tribed Israel, Prepare to Meet Your God! Covenants with God are inherently covenants with each other.The Hebrew word translated into the English mercy in the verses above is heseda word that President Russell Nelson highlighted in his recent Liahona address (which itself felt like an extension of his recent conference talk). In the book of Jeremiah, God told the people that he would exile them from the land for 70 years, because this was the amount of time that the Sabbath rest had been disobeyed (490 years total). The problem, according to these prophets, seems to be that Israel had failed to recognize that being Gods people required more than adherence to specific sacrifices, rituals, feasts, and other religious practices. Yet, in my view, this does not seem to be the primary source of the problem either. Prophecy and the Sixth-Century Axial Period. He took such good care of it, protected it, we did it everything, fertilized it. He will also destroy the works of our hand (Isaiah 1:15; 59:2-3; Psalms 28:5). The Diocese of Rochester In America 1868-1993, God punishes the Israelites for their sinfulness. Copyright 2023 Rochester Catholic Press Association, Inc. All rights reserved. He shaved his beard and head and used the hair as traditional symbols of humiliation. Wealth is being funneled into the hands of the few, and the poor and weak keep becoming poorer and weaker. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? 44:29 ), and God did so in judging his son on behalf of his people. Those things were important but not sufficient in and of themselves. What was God's punishment to the Israelites? "Introduction to the Book of Ezekiel." His utterances are not his own words; they began with God, who sent them because the close relationship is seriously threatened. Amos is declaring that God is involved in His creation; He has not gone way off. Despite this, they became very wealthy and self-indulgent, even oppressively so. As part of their recognition that God owned everything, the Israelites were to set apart the seventh day for the Lord. He must comprehensively know that his own nature is just like those he serves and be humbled. Ezek 4:1-3 "You also, son of man, take a clay tablet and lay it before you, and portray on it a city, Jerusalem. Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. When his wife died, he was told not to mourn her. The Moabites had rejoiced in the overthrow and exile of the Jews, and they also should be overthrown and their land possessed by others. 3. Not for your sake do I do this," says the Lord GOD, "let it be known to you. God said to speak to a rock and water would flow out of it. Prepare to Meet Your God! 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. After all, the messages were not for them but for others because they considered themselves to be okay. Bible scholars say God's warnings in Ezekiel finally cured Israel of the sin of idolatry. It is our part of the deala small part really but a difficult one that must be kept (Matthew 7:13-14). If He allowed Israel and Judah to sin with impunity, His laws would have no authority, and His words would be of no consequence. Despite its frightening oracles, Ezekiel concludes with a message of hope and restoration for God's people. Atonement The next day Moses again told the people that they had gravely sinned against Gd, and that he would now go to pray for atonement. 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. 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. 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. As part of the punishment for Israel's persistent idolatry, God handed the northern kingdom of Israel over to the Assyrians. Indeed, I think it is more likely that the people, doing things properly. 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. Further, God has been systematically removed from schools, from government, and from public life. They began to worship the golden calf, and they . The people may have felt like they were worshiping God through the required performances. Idolatry Punishment of Exclusion from heaven. 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. God makes it clear that He has given the command to destroy them. Our regard for humanity is so low that in America alone during the last three decades, an estimated 40-50 million pre-born children have been killed for the sake of convenience. In those from the north, there would be a natural resistance to such an arrangement. Such power and influence have made both nations feel they have an unlimited reservoir of natural ability and wealth. First: People traveling in the same direction toward exactly the same destination would hardly meet except by appointment. "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). The British produced a great empire far out of proportion to their population, native wealth, and abilities. Idolatry is among the most serious sins in Judaism and its rejection is core to the Jewish worldview. Instead, he is to be thoroughly familiar with and guided by the attitudes and laws of God. 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. 1. 1. We've seen in Jeremiah chapter 2 that in spite of some good times in the past between the Lord and Israel, Israel rejected and forsook the Lord and attempted to exchange the living and real God for idols. Indeed, I think it is more likely that the people believed that they were doing things properly. God would now destroy Israel as a political power, saying, in effect, "enough is enough." Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness (, But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream (, For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings (, 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? (, My sense, especially in light of Ezekiel and Ezras view of the importance of Israels ritual practices referenced above, is that God is not rejecting Israels method of worship, nor is God (for the most part) impugning the motivation behind Israel keeping of the required sacrifices, rituals, feasts, and other religious practices. 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). Stay up to date on the intersection of faith in the public square. God is angry and will destroy the Israelites but Moses begs God to have mercy and remember His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob). In our modern world, this message is needed now more than ever. 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. . In Psalm 78:10-11, 40-42, 56-57, the psalmist mentions that Ephraim (meaning Israel at large). connotes a social obligation. This ties what Amos would say to correct them to their responsibilities within that close relationship. One tribe after another made slaves out of the people. 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. (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 punishment for David's sin: "The Lord sent a pestilence on Israel from that morning until the appointed time; and seventy thousand of the people died" (2 Samuel 24:15). 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. The people realized they were sinning and begged Moses to help them. July 31, 2022 ; By James Taiwo; . Sinai made them feel insecure. 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. The process will be painful but also effective; Israel will come to repentance (Romans 11:25-29). 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. John W. Ritenbaugh 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. 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. Rather, He punishes in the best way and at the best time to bring individuals to repentance. What the Bible says about As early as the days of the founder of the Kingdom of Israel, Jeroboam I, God understood the direction Israel was taking. Here in Ezra, we see that this 70 year period had elapsed, as Daniel had also anticipated (Dan. He had to eat disgusting bread, drink rationed water, and use cow dung for fuel. Download PDF. Ezekiel 36 shows this clearly. (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. According to the Bible, the commandment was originally given to the ancient Israelites by the Lord after they had escaped from slavery in Egypt, as described in the Book of Exodus. Many of us do not get it! Today's Western culturea product of the nations of Israelis not so very different from Sodom and Gomorrah. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of 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. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. His warning of impending calamity would not come if they were not deserving of it. Searching for Israel (Part Seven): Seven Years' Punishment. But were they true? Learn Religions, Dec. 6, 2021, learnreligions.com/introduction-to-the-book-of-ezekiel-701131. Zavada, Jack. 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. It is an aspect of His mercy. 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. Your sins brought this warning, and punishment will follow if you continue sinning.". A number of latter-day prophecies of various peoplesthe Edomites, for exampleforetell that God will make a complete end of them (Jeremiah 46:28). Tzedeq is often the companion virtue to mishpat. Ezekiel 14:6Therefore say to the people of Israel, This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! He died in 1660, and we honor him on Sept. 27. . John W. Ritenbaugh 32 But I beg you to . 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, . Historically, the punishment for idolatry was often death. To help Moses prove the existence and power of God, he was given a number of miraculous signs to help the Israelites believe. Exile, Divorce from God, was the final punishment for a defiant Northern Kingdom of Israel (also known as Ephraim or Samaria). As a punishment for their sinfulness, God sent poisonous seraph serpents to bite the people, and many of them died. . However, the tribe of Judah was hardly better than Israel, as II Kings 17:19 states: "Also Judah did not keep the commandments of the Lord their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made." He is a husband and father of four who has previously written for poetry, international affairs, and LDS-related publications. In addition to mercy, hesed is also translated in the King James Version variously as kindness, goodness, favor, and lovingkindness. Unfortunately, as President Nelson notes, even these translations do not adequately reflect the power of the word hesed. Just listen, you rebels! Moses angrily said to the people. (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.) 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). 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. This is the first and great commandment. Learn Religions. Like. American influence has since exceeded even that of Britain, making English the universal language of business and politics. Ezekiel, Israel's leaders, Ezekiel's wife, and King Nebuchadnezzar. Revelation 21:8ESV / 10 helpful votes HelpfulNot Helpful Far less known are the ten times the released Israelites put God to the test in the days following their exodus. The Northern 10 Tribes of Israel have disappeared, never to return. According to the Bible, the worship of these gods was often promoted by kings and members of the royal court. But if we keep our part of the agreement, we will reap the benefits that flow with God keeping His. And then verse 55, it says, but it didn't bring about fruit. We cannot have it both ways. God would be unfaithful to His own promises if He annihilated Jacob's descendantseven though, by all accounts, it is exactly what they deserve. Israel is God's prey, as it were, and He is not roaring yet. 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). God is most certainly not to blame if He reacts in accordance with what He has told man He will do. ", Because of their sins, as II Kings 17:18-20 indicates, God. Through her commercial power, the United States became the single richest nation that has ever existed. 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. 25:1-7). So, what is it that Israel needed to do differently? characteristic. Charles Whitaker 15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. The book of Ezekiel features one of the eeriest scenes in the Bible, a vision of God raising an army of dead men's bones from their graves and bringing them back to life (Ezekiel 37:1-14). The same sins are committed in the same brazen manner. 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."-. They said to Aaron: 'We want someone to lead us. However, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah were talking about something different when they used this word. Although Moses was Gods faithful servant, even he once sinned against God. Using the hints provided, put a T next to the sentences that are true and an F next to the ones that are false. But God certainly knew about them. hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. St. Vincent de Paul was born in France in 1581. At least one answer is easily pushed aside. It was this underlying fear of a direct relationship with God that was responsible for the terrible course of events that culminated in the Golden Calf. was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight. Spiritually, this demand confirms Israel's whorish behavior, and thus God tells Samuel to describe the national effects of her demand. December 30, 2018 ; By James . Make a god for us!'. The Israelites failed because they would not put their complete trust in their one true God. What is the punishment for idolatry? So, they have no excuse they can use for worshiping idols. Every indication is that we live during that time now. However, the people of Israel failed to observe the terms of God's conditional promises to them. The book of Ezekiel was written between 593 BC and 573 BC. Conversely, God strongly warns that, if one does not do well, He will surely punish him. He found out about the Church when he was 17 from a Church member in high school. There were two acts of disobedience / incomplete obedience that caused God to reject Saul. The patriarchs were, as God attests again and again, faithful. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. They were to protect and bless the rich and the poor, the bonded and the free, the Israelite and the stranger. God had Moses send out 12 scouts to check out the land. and they had feared other gods, and had walked in the statutes of the nations whom the LORD had cast out from before the children of Israel. Facts about King Saul. 9:1-2). Moses was gone less than 40 days when the Israelites fashioned a calf of molded gold to substitute for the invisible Creator God. Also, every seventh year the land was to lie fallow (Lev. The strength of this claim over men is seen by the price which men are willing to pay in order to worship their gods. 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. The reason Moses became so concerned about the Israelites is that they have heard the Word. Their desire for flesh was a desire springing up amidst abundance. 2. That specific sacrifices, rituals, feasts, and other religious practices were central parts of its covenant with YHWH was beyond doubt. Read Chapter All Versions. God's punishment, though, is never an end in itself, nor does He punish in wild anger or frustration. Contents1 Why did God take the Israelites through [] 2. They were behaving and worshipping like Baal worshippers but doing it in the name of the Lord. 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. Post-Christian Europe has transgressed even further. 30 Dec . Though not to blame because His sins did not cause these tragedies, He is responsible for them because He at least allowed them to occur. In Latter-day Saint vernacular, the term that comes closest to expressing this ideal is probably charity. What is the meaning of john 8: 12? To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? 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. Such punishment precipitated Israel being scattered, taken into captivity into foreign lands, and losing their homeland, to which they have never returned. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols., And Hosea says simply: They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not., Like Isaiah, Amos and Hosea portray the LORD as more than just critiquing the act of worshipwith the Lord very clearly despising Israels feasts, refusing to accept (or even regard!)