Elected To Suffer
You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Amos 3:2
Therefore – When will we finally forsake the populist idea that God saves us in order to make our lives prosperous? How foolish can we be? In a world that hates God, do we really imagine that His objective is to take us to the top of the world’s pyramid? Behind such nonsense is nothing but selfish desire and arrogance. Amos gives us the real story, but it isn’t a story that most “believers” either want to hear or are willing to embrace. The truth never hurt so much.
The Hebrew combination word ‘al-ken brings together a preposition and an adverb (adjective) to produce the idea of “thus by” or “thus for.” You can read about its pictograph here. This word connects the truth of the first statement with the truth of the second statement. Now read Amos 3:2 again. Did God choose one family of the earth as His to carry out His purpose to the nations? Yes, He did. Is that family the only family that is His exclusively and eternally? Yes, it is. What is the result of this election? If you expected Amos to recite all the blessings of Deuteronomy 28, you are in for a shock. The result of God’s election is punishment. Why? Because His house is holy and His people are to be holy, and He will not restrain Himself from using whatever means is necessary to bring them to holiness. Without holiness they are unable to fulfill the mission of His election. Therefore, those whom He has called can expect to suffer not only because they oppose the idolatry of the world but also because God is stripping them of their own internal idolatry in order to make them pure instruments in His hand.
Do you want to get off the train now? Every follower of YHWH is called to stand against the world. This means living according to principles that will inevitably bring conflict with the idolatrous culture that surrounds us. We should not be surprised. We should be exuberant because this conflict demonstrates that we are fulfilling His purposes. At the same time, God promises to shape us, and quite often that process is painful. Quite often it feels like punishment. But it is not wrath. Punishment has purpose. It is designed to bring conformity to purity. Once more, when we are punished, it is a sign of God’s election. The man who does not know God feels no pain over his sin. God’s punishment is the assurance that He cares enough to correct us. It is the assurance that we have been chosen for His plan. It is the sign of His love.
Don’t get off the train! Look beyond the immediate. Don’t fall prey to the idolatry of the culture, an idolatry that concentrates on gratification rather than transformation. Allow God’s hand to reprove and correct, knowing that He never punishes without purpose and that His purposes are always to bring His chosen into alignment with the design of the perfect creation. God’s anvil makes only one kind of weapon – a perfect one.
Topical Index: suffer, punishment, therefore, ‘al-ken, Amos 3:2
As champion of the obvious- verse 2 is preceded by verse 1. -“Hear this word which the LORD has spoken against you, sons of Israel, against the entire family which He brought up from the land of Egypt:”
Sons of Israel. And YHWH is speaking against them. The ones who have been brought out from the land of Egypt. Now how should we “interpret” this verse? Physically or spiritually- or “both.” Are we (you and I) the sons of Israel? – (Quickly to stomp into the ground any brush fires that may be smoldering- we are not the “replacement” of Israel, but Israel rather is a picture, a portrait, a parable of “us”- “we” who are followers of the “Prince of Israel”, the LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ. Spiritually speaking, (we now have to qualify every word- don’t we?) we (the followers of the Way) have also been brought out of Egypt. (physically or spiritually?)- (In our case it is only spiritually)- but in the case of “that was then”- it really did happen- “physically.” The (physical) people of Israel were delivered (“saved” for all you Gentiles) from the oppressive, (physical) hand of Pharoah.
Pharoah. Was he a physical- aka- “real” person. (Please allow my foolish talk for a moment). Was he? Yes. For real. This man thought (or so erringly) he was god. Was there a “message” contained in Pharoah’s life? Can we (who are alive today) learn anything from Pharoah? We are capable of learning, right? Was Pharoah given ten opportunities to “repent?” Did he? What was his end? Did this “really happen? Or is this “just” a story of a fictional character? Did this man really exist? Was there a historical Pharoah? “The way we know our future is by looking at the past.” Hmmm.. -really?
What is the relationship of YHWH and Israel. Now. Today. Yes, I know- “that was then, and this is now, but what is the relationship of YHWH and Israel today? Is it as a Creator to His creatures? Or is it as a Father to His (oftentimes) disobedient children. Or, we could ask even a more penetrating question: Is there any relationship at all? Is YHWH now a “disinterested party.” Has G-d abandoned Israel?
And the answer is—? No. He has not. One of my favorite quotes from Mark Twain is this: “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” And now for this word “punishment.”
My question this morning is addressed to all fathers everywhere. – Do you punish your children? Do you whup’ (we say whup here in the South) ’em, send them to bed without any supper, -take away their privileges, make them “go to their rooms”, etc? Or do you (dad) “chastise” your children with a view toward *ahem* “behavioral modification?” “Chastisement is always done with a view toward correction”- with a purposeful goal of “restoration of relationship.” This is why good friends we (who are called by His name) are chastised. We are not, (I repeat, not) “punished.” How may I say this? (I’m glad you asked..) Because (are you listening?) Yeshau took and bore our full “punishment” on Calvary’s cross. He absorbed the full wrath of G-d (He is a “wrathful” G-d, right?)- and “paid in full” our deserved Hell. There is a world of difference between “punishment” and “chastisement.” Know this, and know this well. I know this, -only too well.
What then is (once again), the purpose of chastisement? What is (dads) our desired outcome of chastising our children? BTW- we only correct our own children, not our neighbor’s- even though we may would “strongly desire” to do so!
“Chastisement” is a mark of ownership. What does G-d want? What is our Father’s “purpose” in chastising His children. Dad- (I’m talkin’ to you..) you know the drill.. -when you chastise your children, what is your desired end? May I have your “focused attention” please.. Are you listening to me? Can you hear me now? Shall we crank up the volume? Shall we bring on the heat? Do we need to “kick it up a notch?” G-d may use anything from a feather to a hammer, but He will (oh, yes He will..) get our focused attention. G-d has a way and (ouch!!!) yes, it usually does involve some sort of (owwww!) pain.
Is “chastisement” worth it? Papa,- I’m askin’. Is “restoration of relationship” worth it? I can promise you, I do not like to, or wish to, chastise my children. -I’ll go so far as to say- I “hate” (ooh-such a strong word), “hate” having to “discipline” my kids. But, (reluctantly) I do. “What saith the scripture?” (dad).
“Train up a child in the Way he should go.” Are we (ourselves) obeying this injunction from our Father’s book? G-d is “training the trainer!” lol! He is *ahem*, “teaching” us in order for us to teach others. Have we learned any lessons, *ahem*- the hard way? lol!- Why, am I so “hard-headed” and “hard-hearted?”
Maybe a little “chastening” might be in order. Some deep plowing or some light cultivating- G-d knows what we need and He has promised- “I will supply all your needs according to My riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.” Do we need “chastening?” Do we need “correction?” Discipline? Are we listening? Does YHWH have our full and undivided, -“focused” attention?
“G-d’s anvil.” lol!- Ever been there? Sliced, diced, chopped, pureed,smashed to smithereens- owwwww! Ooh, that hurt! -lol! Oh Father, have I thank you for caring enough for me, and have I praised you for disciplining me? You my G-d are oh so active in my life, and through the process, I will look unto you, my Perfect Abba, in total dependence upon your perfect will, because I know dear LORD, you are good. I give you permission, my holy G-d, to do whatever it takes to conform me to the image of the Son. I will co-operate in full with you, my compassionate Abba and will listen and obey when you speak. Open my ears that I may hear you. Open my eyes that I may perceive you. Fully, freely and finally- I submit my entire being to you, my Abba. Work into my life- that which is pleasing unto you. I delight to do your will, this very day and this very hour. I confess -without You, I can do nothing and unless the LORD builds the house- they labor in vain who build it. Abba- be near to us this sabbath day. Calm our spirits and lift up our heads that we may behold the beauty of the LORD. Increase us in our love for you and in our love for one another is my prayer, offered this morning- because Calvary made it possible. Amen.
Carl, how right on target you are my friend!
I have met the enemy, he is ME! My greatest enemy is……me, my flesh, that wants what it wants, which is, most of what it sees.
If not for the Lord, my own flesh would bring me to ruin. But praise be to God, my Father, King and Friend, I have been given the power over sin in my flesh. I am the master over my flesh and sin. As long as I am in you, and you in me, I will get where you intend me to be.
Thank you Lord for YOU are now the life in me.
Carl, we are fast headed for the past. In the beginning, it was God and man, together, in a paradise. We are heading back to that very same relationship. We will have come “full circle”.
We will have been trained (taught) of God’s great love, and mercy and grace, so that we can teach others of our Father’s character, His good name, His loving kindness. God and man will once again be one in the physical as well as the spiritual.
Ron, my eyes are leaking and it is good (tov). Thank you for this encouraging word my blessed brother.- YHWH is taking us where we need to be. Our journey is together and it is with Him. (Blessed be the name). We are members together of His body and we also (together) are the “both” now and future “bride of Christ.” It is G-d who is working is us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. We (together) are discovering day by day (and yes, with each passing moment) what “blessed” is. “Thank you LORD, for saving my soul- thank you LORD, for making me whole. Thank you LORD, for giving to me- Your great salvation so full and free. Amen. We are discovering “together” this “great salvation”. We, my friends are (now, today) the children of Light. Light is that which reveals. Yeshua is the Light. He is that which reveals. He is the ONE who reveals the heart of the Father. As we worship Him, who is the union of two houses- the human and the Divine- He reveals Himself in us- His body and His bride. We are His hands an His feet and delight to do His will in ministering, serving and loving “one another.” G-d is a G-d of tremendous diversity and creativity. (Another “understatement of the year award”). But, above all- He is the LORD of unity. We (all) are one in Him. United as one body, one flesh, one “new” man (neither Jew nor Gentile, neither male nor female) “in Christ.” This should be our “study” and this should be our focus- “in Christ.”
I do not dismiss G-d’s Torah. No sir. No m’am. G-d’s law is holy and stands forever. But don’t come runnin’ to me with a list of 613 manmade things to do today. If is is scriptural, if it is Biblical- count me in. There is G-d’s “Torah” and then there is man’s “torah.” The very ONE who wrote the Torah now abides within us. We have Someone, (the Teacher) living within us! G-d’s Holy Breath- the Ruach Hakodesh- our very own- “personal Trainer!”- lol! But what does He use to train us! G-d’s Torah. (G-d’s Instructions) This “Torah” BTW includes “every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of G-d.” Not 613. Every word of G-d is pure. From Genesis to maps- It is His book of instruction to us- His children. Old Testament (Covenant)- Yes! New(er) Testament? Yes! It’s “all” good! lol! We (you and I) have been given (notice the past tense?) all things that pertain unto life and godliness. We have in our possession a treasure beyond our knowing. But every day our good brother Skip “opens up” (reveals) a little more of this ever opening scroll. Remember in the final book of Revelation, who is was that was worthy to open the scroll? lol!- It was the Lamb Himself! When G-d became a man (the union of two houses) did He “undo” this action? No! Yeshua, -the G-d/man- is (today) fully G-d and fully man! I would like to leave this behind for those who would join me on this blessed day to worship Him- (who alone is worthy to receive blessing and honor and glory and power and wisdom and strength)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqYlKgpf9zU
May I be included in this choir today!! Ahmein! -“Baruch Hashem Adonai!!”
Does the lion roar in the jungle,
If no prey has be found?
Amos 3:4
Does misfortune come to a city,
If Yahweh has not sent it?
Amos 3:7
May I be included in this choir today!! Ahmein!
Carl 7:21 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqYlKgpf9zU
SANG GIRL!!!!! LOL! Alicia Olatuja is amazing.
Comment (Anonymous)
Michael- I’m trying to decipher the code.. (lol!) R U singing also with this choir? (I am!!)
Hi Carl,
Funny, I do see some “codes” up there, but didn’t mean to make you decipher my codes 🙂
I was thinking that the girl sounded and looked a lot like an angel.
And if I didn’t have one of the world’s worst voices, would love to be up there with her too.
I was guessing that “Alicia Olatuja” in the comment was the girl’s name, and agree she is amazing.
But “hola” means Hi in Spanish, so didn’t know if “ola tu ja” meant Hi “to you.” (a play on words).
And “ja” is how Bob Marley refers to Yah (Weh).
Then I was juxtaposing Yahweh’s “roar” with the angel’s voice just for fun.
In my view, the Bible doesn’t any better than than the two lines from Amos.
So I enjoyed making those four “parts” fit together as one 🙂