As we reach the end of the Old Testament, we also reach the Minor Prophets which cover the books of Hosea to Malachi. The prophetic books of the Bible are books of judgment and punishment. They also cover and illustrate the issues of idolatry, social injustices and religious ritualism. Even now in the 21st century these issues still apply to us and we can learn things from the teachings of the prophets. A man named Amos prophesized in Israel during a time of prosperity for the nation; “unfortunately, this economic prosperity also brought spiritual apathy and moral decline” (The Essence of the Old Testament, 384). During this time, the “northern kingdom began to worship calf idols shortly after breaking away from Judah and the Jerusalem temple”
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God used Amos to warn the nation to repent and turn back from their sin because God was judging the nation for their sins. God was upset with the people of Israel because despite His commandments, they chose to disobey him, “The people of Israel will be crushed and broken by my judgment because they are determined to worship idols” (Hosea 5:11, NLT). God also used the prophet Hosea’s life as a comparison to teach Israel about being unfaithful. God commanded Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman who gave birth to three children. Just as the woman was unfaithful to Hosea, “Israel had prostituted itself by turning away from the Lord and following other Gods” (The Essence of the Old Testament, 371). A practical application to avoid idolatry in the 21st century is by rebuking anything that is an idol. “Are things any different today in terms of idolatry? It has taken on a different form, but it is in essence the same thing it has always been – trust in idols rather than God to supply our needs and desires” (Medicine: Idolatry in the Twenty First Century, Shilhavy). An idol can be anything that brings our attention …show more content…
“As the rich and powerful exploited the poor and needy and wealthy possessions, and pleasure took priority over their relationship with God” (The Essence of the Old Testament, 384). “Justice in the Prophets is also often connected to caring for orphans, widows, foreigners, the oppressed, and the poor” (Sell Everything You Have and Give to the Poor, Hays) The Mosaic Law called the wealthy to take care of those who were poor and disadvantaged. The rich were to lend money to the poor, give them jobs and “must not deny justice to the poor” (Exodus 23:6, NLT). Despite the commands of the Lord to take care of the needy, the wealthy and influential people of Israel oppressed those who were not as fortunate as them and there was a big gap between the upper and lower classes. “Thus, the call for justice was a recurring theme in the preaching of the prophets as they reminded the people of the uncomfortable truth that there was an inseparable connection between love for God and concern for one’s neighbor” (The Essence of the Old Testament, 389). Amos came to the people of Israel to tell them that their punishment for being selfish and greedy was coming. In Amos 1:1, we see that God kept his word when sent a flood two years later. Micah 6:8 clearly states what the Lord requires of man “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good. And this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your
God used Amos to warn the nation to repent and turn back from their sin because God was judging the nation for their sins. God was upset with the people of Israel because despite His commandments, they chose to disobey him, “The people of Israel will be crushed and broken by my judgment because they are determined to worship idols” (Hosea 5:11, NLT). God also used the prophet Hosea’s life as a comparison to teach Israel about being unfaithful. God commanded Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman who gave birth to three children. Just as the woman was unfaithful to Hosea, “Israel had prostituted itself by turning away from the Lord and following other Gods” (The Essence of the Old Testament, 371). A practical application to avoid idolatry in the 21st century is by rebuking anything that is an idol. “Are things any different today in terms of idolatry? It has taken on a different form, but it is in essence the same thing it has always been – trust in idols rather than God to supply our needs and desires” (Medicine: Idolatry in the Twenty First Century, Shilhavy). An idol can be anything that brings our attention …show more content…
“As the rich and powerful exploited the poor and needy and wealthy possessions, and pleasure took priority over their relationship with God” (The Essence of the Old Testament, 384). “Justice in the Prophets is also often connected to caring for orphans, widows, foreigners, the oppressed, and the poor” (Sell Everything You Have and Give to the Poor, Hays) The Mosaic Law called the wealthy to take care of those who were poor and disadvantaged. The rich were to lend money to the poor, give them jobs and “must not deny justice to the poor” (Exodus 23:6, NLT). Despite the commands of the Lord to take care of the needy, the wealthy and influential people of Israel oppressed those who were not as fortunate as them and there was a big gap between the upper and lower classes. “Thus, the call for justice was a recurring theme in the preaching of the prophets as they reminded the people of the uncomfortable truth that there was an inseparable connection between love for God and concern for one’s neighbor” (The Essence of the Old Testament, 389). Amos came to the people of Israel to tell them that their punishment for being selfish and greedy was coming. In Amos 1:1, we see that God kept his word when sent a flood two years later. Micah 6:8 clearly states what the Lord requires of man “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good. And this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your