For Whom the Bell Tolls (1)
My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge I will reject you from priestly service for me. You have forgotten the instruction of your God; so I too will forget your children. Hosea 4:6 (translation J. A. Dearman)
Reject you – We feel good about the love story of Hosea. In spite of Gomer’s unfaithfulness, Hosea redeems her and restores her. As a metaphor for Israel, we rejoice that God’s faithfulness wins in the end. But maybe we are too quick to rush to the conclusion. Maybe the process of redemption is so painful, so full of risk and warning that we gloss over the terror in the text. That would be a mistake. All the words are God’s words. So, sit down. Take a deep breath and listen to the alarm. The bell tolls for you and me.
Whom does God reject? We could opt for the easy answer. God rejects the false priests. God rejects those who teach heresy or lead His people astray. God rejects those who fail to act upon His instructions. Of course, that’s not us. We are the good people of God. We can dismiss this verse. It doesn’t apply.
But what if there is more in mind here? What if God is rejecting the leaders of His people who reject His instruction and, as a result, God is also rejecting those who follow them? Take one step back and ask yourself why God established Israel in the first place. Didn’t God constitute Israel to be a royal priesthood to the nations? Doesn’t that mean that everyone who claims to be called by His name but rejects His instruction is rejected as a priest to the nations? It’s not just the leaders who are in the crosshairs. We who claim to follow are also targets of God’s rejection. We cannot be priests if our leaders do not remember (bring to mind for action) and we do not fulfill His instructions.
“I will reject you” (em-aska) encompasses both the leadership and the followers. The root (ma’an) describes the refusal of an offer. In pictograph, chaos confronts life – and wins. God’s order is withdrawn. Life devolves. The people of God collectively stumble and fall. No one escapes the consequences of a failure of leadership. If you thought that your obedience would keep you safe in a community that fails to bring God’s instructions into action, be warned. The bell tolls for you.
Why does God reject? Hosea is a story of recovery. Why would God pronounce rejection? The answer is obvious: measure for measure. The leaders reject God’s wisdom. They refuse God’s offer of order. The rejection might come as a result of forgetting or ignoring or rebellion. It doesn’t matter. Measure for measure. The leaders bring the consequences upon themselves. God refuses them. The real tragedy is that the leaders carry the people. They literally hold the welfare of the people in their hands. Rejection of God’s ways has direct consequences on all the followers. The people are rejected by God, not because they are immediately responsible, but because their leadership has failed. No man can survive the judgment of God once he enlists in the service of leaders who reject the wisdom of the King. I guess the important question is this: Who am I following?
Topical Index: reject, ma’an, measure for measure, Hosea 4:6
What about those who function out of the kingdom of God who submit to King Yeshua and follow his model while living in the world under a wicked government?
I, too, wonder about this, Robin. It seems to describe many of us.
We tend to think that the wicked government is the cause of our inability to do what the Creator instructs. I think it is because we won’t do it (because of the inconvenience to us), that we have wicked government.
We have essentially forgotten the importance of ORDER. In my understanding, that word is tied to ‘set apart’ things and times. It is about priorities, not mixing the holy and the profane (common). He tells us what those things are.
When I have looked at your site, I know that you understand this, because of the foods you recommend. I think the Scripture indicates that in every area of our lives, there are priorities He has given us to follow. I am trying to do this better.
What about those followers of Yeshua, submitted to Torah who gather together in 2s and 3s hungering and thirsting for righteousness with no traditional “leader”?
What about those who’ve been crushed under the weight of deception and can no longer bare to follow leaders who reject the wisdom of the King and have nowhere else to go?
What about those who weep and mourn for all the little church lemmings including their leaders?
What more can we do beside warn people that they are hold up in a building that’s about to be demolished and point them to the real stronghold?
And who are we that YHVH should open ours eyes and not theirs to these things. We’re no different than any other sinful human.
So what more are we to do with this amazing kindness and mercy that’s been revealed to us? Avinu tell us what are we to do? Grab folks by the arms and drag them out of Sodom?
I’m such a coward when it comes to church folk. I know I’ll be flogged. It’s soooo much easier to go to the heathen.
What’s an ezer kenegdo (who’s just been issued her wings) to do in this circumstance Skip?
I think the answer has to be in the way YHWH treated His chosen ones in the past. Hebrew history is cycles. We look backwards to see forward. I think we MUST study what happened in order to be prepared for what will happen. Men haven’t changed much since Noah and they seem “hell bent” on following their rebellion to the end. So, we must step apart but do what Israel did when it was banished to Babylon. We cannot ignore the fact that the Church has not understood or fulfilled its mission. We cannot endorse its errors. But just like the house of Israel, we are sent to the lost in the Church.
There is such a sense of eschatology in today’s word of rejection that we need to “sound the alarm; blow the trumpet in Zion; call a solemn/sacred assembly” and do whatever it takes to bring us to our knees in repentance and contrition before the Lord.
Your are so right Gertrude. That’s exactly what happened to us last night which probably explains my reaction to this mornings word. We came together because a gentleman that we’ve been engaged in study with from the movement Watchman Nee planted in this country. After months of dialog and his stubborn refusal to acknowledge that the OT is still valid for us, he suddenly fell ill Wed. and is in the hospital clinging to life from a flesh eating bacteria that has invaded his bloodstream.
WHAT A WORD PICTURE!
My dear husband sought YHVH for a word for us to begin our assembly on and He brought us Pr 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. It put the fear of G-d in us and we spent a long time in corporate repentance for ourselves first and then our friend and then the church.
When looking for HaSatan, we need not fail to look also in the pulpit. He (still) wants to be worshiped. Always has, always will, – I suppose. (Poor devil?) How does he hope to accomplish this? – “false religion.”
Hey!- Have you heard the latest?- There are hypocrites in the church! Oh my!–zzzz… er.. that is.. really? “Do tell.” How long has this been goin’ on? lol! I just don’t know whether to laugh or cry, but ludicrous (yes, silly) is a word that comes to mind. Folks, brothers and sisters, the LORD (our Lord), knows the ones who belong to Him. The question (of the ages?) is this: “Do we?” “Do I?” Are we His? Can we say collectively, and since each of us shall stand (and are standing!) before the Righteous ONE, -individually, “I belong to Him”? I am (yes, I am) a child of the King! The LORD is “my” Shepherd. lol! Yo!- “He is!!” lol!!
Evil exists. So does sin. These (both) are real. But, (and this is a big ol’ but) Jesus IS LORD. My G-d is King. G-d is large and He is in charge. “Peoples,” there is a lot of good in this world, but it just doesn’t get a lot of media coverage. We don’t hear about “good things” in the news. Fear sells newspapers,- we don’t hear much about acts of kindness- do we? (Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy..). Have you heard this news lately? It’s called the gospel. “Good news.” More than likely, you won’t find it on CNN. I have very much enjoyed lately the “off” button on my television, also known to me as “the box of lies.” Brought to you in living color! HD even. A high-definition lie. (Don’t forget to wear the right color tie with your three hundred dollar hair-do.) Disgusting is far too light a word. “Abomination” approaches the HD I’m looking for. Oh yes.. false prophets abound in these days. And more “good news?” lol!- It’s gonna get worse (before it gets better). How do I know these things? -Same way as you. “It is written.” Read the Book. “It’s in there!” -“Where sin did abound- grace did much more abound.” -Hallelujah for the cross.
Shalom Skip,
Those of us that have been joined to Israel by grace through faith in our Messiah Yeshua, are called to take on the identity of His chosen. We become imitators of Jesus who lived out the fullness of His Father’s instructions by the breath of God! We are lights of the world, who are distinctive in our walk and talk. This is not a road of condemnation, but one of conformity to the image of His Son. Yet, it does bring condemnation to those who are “hell bent” on following their rebellion to the end.
It seems so simple to me now! Messiah has brought us into the family and our desire should be to conform ourselves to His instructions and become useful to Him! The church world does not get this, they cling to Jesus, and at the same time alienate themselves from His Father’s instructions. As you have emphasized Skip, when we bring the wrong paradigm to God’s word, we will of course come away with the wrong conclusion. When we are truly obedient to God and His instructions as Noah was, we will truly be in diametric opposition of the spirit of this age, but living from the perspective and power of the age to come. Thanks Skip and to all who contribute to our journey up to Zion, and into the likeness of Yeshua our King!
This has been in the forefront of my questionings lately: Who actually IS my brother? This question leads then to Who/what is the Church in reality? These are haunting questions that continue to dig tunnels of perplexity for me personally.
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Matthew 12:50
I am seeing more and more the absolute importance of obedience to the Word of Yahweh rather than the doctrine of man/demons, but the tempering power of grace cannot be overlooked as well. This seems to be the overarching battle so many grapple with in light of works vs grace, mercy vs judgment.
It is all so painful to watch people you genuinely love and care for, deny the in-your-face Writings of our Master, thinking they are living such a godly lifestyle, yes, albeit works based considering the appointed times and holidays of Christianity versus the everlasting covenants and appointed Feasts. And I am heartbroken that so much power has been relegated to the lofty position of pastor that people have become too lazy and complacent to even think about whether what they are “learning” is truly what Father Yahweh means versus what the early church fathers’ commentaries taught.
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Tim 3:7
This seems to be part of the digression in the West in ALL areas of education. More $$ spent on the tools and materials, but less learning actually taking place.
I am praying for the Ruach Hakodesh to be poured out in such a manner that we repent and turn from our wicked ways, turn from our righteousness to His that we may be healed. This may mean the end of life as we now know it, but isn’t that what we have been told would eventually happen? Father, help us (me!!!!) to be truly ready! Restore us! Save us! Sanctify us for Your use!
Luke 13:1-5, There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
‘The Parable of the Fig Tree’ verses 6-10 of the same chapter. And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser. ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground? “And he answered him, ‘Sir let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit well and good: but if not, you cand cut it down.”
Repentance and fruitfullness is the way of the King and His Kingdom. For the sake of our families, communities, and nation; we must stand in the gap in repentance, that leads to Torah/Christ centered fruitfullness! This kind of Holy Spirit light living will bring division for all of us who are committed to this LIFE. At the same time, those who are truly His, will find their way back to this LIFE. This is not a place of superiority, but of blessing and responsibility. Lord, may we/I be found faithful!
Yeshua said, “if you follow me, I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1.17) If you follow me..- “do, as I do.” Not do as I say, “do as I do”. This is how we follow our Master. We do as He did and “He went about doing good.” And we, according to G-d’s book, have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2.16)
Romans 8.11 states “And if (I like “since” better) And since the Spirit (Breath) of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit (Breath), who lives in you.” “For G-d is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” (Philippians 2.13) Giving “both” the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. This kind of stuff makes a body want to shout! -Hallelujah!
We (all) are a work in progress. Saved yes, (done deal) but sanctified?- Holiness is a process. Righteousness imputed and holiness imparted. Grace and growth each day we live. (I wonder what tomorrow will be like- but first I have to “make it through today!” lol! Today, (caution- deep thought) is yesterday’s tomorrow! Yes, sufficient (and abundant!) for the day is the evil thereof.” And sufficient (and even more abundant) is the grace of G-d to meet our every need. Grace meets need. Every time. May I say it again? Hallelujah! -What a Savior!
The request of the Talmudim to Yeshua was- “teach us to pray!” When trouble comes our way, what are we to do? And the answer is?… “pray.” When blessing comes our way and the sun is shining and the Son is smiling what are we to do? And the answer is?… “pray” again! Yes, “pray without ceasing!. lol! When we (finally) learn to “pray without ceasing” then we will “rejoice evermore!” Our G-d is King!. Not was, not will be.. “is.” He IS LORD. Right here, right now, in this very place- wherever “this place” happens to be. Jonah found G-d in the belly of a fish.. where have we found Him to be? (Where have we found Him not to be?) For in Him we live and move and have our being.- Everywhere we go, (yes, even in the fiery furnace) the LORD is there.. Our “Jehovah-Shammah.”