If anyone thinks God is going to commit Himself to blessing the idol worshiping, infant sacrificing, rebel descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob after they have spurned all of God’s prophets He sent to them, killing many of them and refusing to return to God though implored by God to do so again and again, then you can well believe Satan has done a number on the mind of anyone who thinks so!
Here are a few more declarations God made concerning the northern kingdom of the house of Israel through the ministry of the prophet Amos: “Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, ‘You only have I known of all the families of the earth therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Can two walk together, except they be agreed?'” (Amos 3:1-3). Judah’s captivity of 75 years enslavement in Babylon had its desired effect. They returned to God and rebuilt Jerusalem and the temple. The northern kingdom of Israel never returned to God, nor did they return from their captivity and wanderings. But notice the startling language God uses of the ten-tribed kingdom of Israel in Amos Chapter 4: “I also have given you cleanness of teeth (famine) in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places, YET HAVE YE NOT RETURNED UNTO ME, SAYS THE LORD….I have withheld the rain from you (causing drought)…YET HAVE YE NOT RETURNED UNTO ME, SAYS THE LORD. I have smitten you with blasting and mildew, when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them, YET HAVE YE NOT RETURNED UNTO ME, SAYS THE LORD.. I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt, your young men have I slain with the sword…YET HAVE YE NOT RETURNED UNTO ME, SAYS THE LORD. I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah…YET HAVE YE NOT RETURNED UNTO ME, SAYS THE LORD. Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel, and because I will do this unto thee PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD, O ISRAEL” (See verses 6 through 12). Continued in Part 5.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley