1. Note down in chapter 4:1-14: (a) the outward sins which caused the Lord to have a controversy with his people, and (b) the inward condition of which these sins were the outcome. How far might this description be applied to our society today?
2. 4:15-19 This passage may be interpreted as a warning to the southern kingdom of Judah not totally herself with Israel. Why this warning, and what message has it for us?
3. What in chapter 5 are shown to be the real obstacles that separate the people from God, and God from the people? Who are charged with responsibility for this condition of things?
Notes
1. 4:15 'Beth Aven': 'house of wickedness' used ironically for 'Bethel', house of God.
2. 4:17 'Ephraim': the leading tribe of the northern kingdom, therefore used as a synonym for Israel. Only in chapter 13 does it refer to the tribe.
3. 5:7 'New Moon': i.e., the next new moon. Within a month ruin will be upon them.
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1a. Outward Sins: swearing, lying, killing, stealing, adultery, incest, sacrifice to idols (v. 2, 13)
ReplyDeleteb. Inward Condition: no truth (v 1), no mercy (v 1), spirit of wandering (v 10,12), no knowledge of God (v 1, 6)
I guess I felt like I'd be stating the obvious if I started going off about how all these sins are rampant in our culture so I won't go there. The biggest one that hit me was idol-worship. It is easy for us to dismiss that because we don't (generally) set up an object and consider it an idol, but much of what we do, our priorities, and relationships in our lives easily become idols! I am guilty of pedestal living and hauling relationships, in particular, up to the status of idols in my life.
I am deeply moved by the observation that people are not cut off and destroyed for any one particular ACTION but rather for their inward lack of knowledge (hebrew #1847): "something God teaches to man, opposite of folly, proper relationship with God" This was a leftover remnant from their wilderness wanderings when God told them to pass these memorials/commandments/miracles onto their children so that they WOULD NOT FORGET! Another observation, "as they increased, so did their sin"-- generational flaws will only intensify as we continue to fail in acknowledging God's role in our life!!! Ouch.
2. I guess Judah was asked to break the cycle... obviously, we see how fast they fell.
3. Okay, so this was huge for me becasue I had no idea that the priests were the ones leading the people away... The problem was definitely inward as the very house of God was defiled through (assumably) improper sacrifices, a disregard for God's rules, and ultimately the people decided to do their own thing. v. 5, 7 are just a small list of obstacles: arrogance, guilt, betrayed the Lord's honor, wealth, false religion
1) a. Like you said Sarah, lying, murder, steal, and commit adultery, and idol Worship,
ReplyDelete1) b. Isreal had no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God (ignorance and refusal to know God), passed the blame (no sense of accountability or owning up to their actions), stubborn, foolishness, and wandering. Can anyone else say "This sounds like our American Culture?"
We are Isreal, we are. No matter how we might try to justify it, we are foolish. I to thought it was intersting about the Presits (leaders) were the ones disregarding God's Word and leading the people away. How many pastors do we have today with thier own agenda in mind and not God's. They want a bigger church congregation and a bigger more beautiful church building, but are they discipling the people with in? Are they training people to be spiritual warriors? Is God the one who is really growing the church? Or is it the amazing musix, the coffee shop, the dance floor and lights? Ok, I'll stop, but you get the picture. ;)
The other thing that I think about related to our pastors in American is that, so many are fearful of speaking the TRUTH! Why is that? The ridicule? The mockery? What I really think it comes down to is a lack of faith in the Lord. Maybe they are lacking faith that God's Word is true? Maybe they are lacking faith that God will walk with them and see them through any unplesant situations they will face by speaking God's truth. All I know is that I'm down right fed up with the lack of truth going on!
2). Judah was warned to not follow in Israel's footsteps. To learn from their example of wickedness and to steer clear!
ReplyDeleteI like what verse 10 says in chapter 4, "They will eat and still be hungry. They will play the prostitute and gain nothing from it." I think this verse ties in nicely with what Judah was to see from Israel's disobedience to God. Disobedience leads to discontentment.
3.) The leaders and priests are the one charged for the offence.
The Obstacles that seperate them is Israel's arrogance and turning away from God. They go so far as to not even KNOW Him! How frustrating! Then I think of America and how few people we find that truly "know" God. They know of Him, they have been taught to ACT like Him, they get a feel good from reading God's Word, but that doesn't mean they, KNOW God at all.
Question for verse 7. In the New Living Translation is says, "They have betrayed the honor of the Lord, bearing children that are not his." When I read it I get the picture of the leaders misguiding and therefore "bearing children" that may outwardly act or resemble a Christian, but they don't really know God because they have not been taught correctly. Input anyone????