By the Hand of the Greedy.
Posted: Sunday, March 09, 2008
by straight talk
Yes throughout history we have seen destruction of societies and civilizations by the hands of the few and in search of wealth and power and through their works of greed. Yes, the masses being the fodder that fuel their ideology, lusts, desires and needs.
In the Book of Amos in the Bible Gods prophet spoke to what was going on in the Northern Kingdom of Israel which was called Judah. Is it not strange or at least coincidental that Gaza and all the nations that we hear of today are also mentioned thousands of years ago. Is that not significant?
AMOS - Chapter 2- " for their idols have caused them to err ". Their idols of course we recognize as their covetous desire for the things of this world. And also "He hath sold the just man for silver and the poor man for a pair of shoes". They bruise the heads of the poor upon the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the humble". [Catholic Action Addition]
Yes pride, arrogance and ego ruled the day. The Prophet warned them that God will punish them and they scoffed and ignored him. Yet, it comes to pass much later and even while they professed they turned away from the law of God and His Commandments . That last sentence is key when we ponder what is happening in our midst? Could it be related to illegal workers as just one aspect as is the usury that is charged on credit as part of the sum of the breaking of Gods Commandments? Are we also possibly feeling Gods wrath for turning from this? Yes, Thou shall not steal is a Commandment of God and it is not condoned by anything, even poverty.Does one have to quote other Commandments or laws of God?
We also find the same warnings in the book of Micah, hundreds of years later concerning the land of Israel. You see Judah was vanquished and carried away as was eventually Israel by Babylonians. However, God Himself promised to restore Israel and they should never ever again be taken for their land. Think hard my friends especially you who scoff at Gods Word?
In Micah- and they have coveted fields and taken them away by violence and houses they have forcibly taken away; and oppressed a man and his house a man and his inheritance ". [ Catholic Action Addition] Does not this mortgage mess and foreclosure echo this verse? Coincidence you say? Perhaps you are right, then again you could just as well be wrong?
However, for you believers who already know the Word, the greatest of all of his prophesy of all of them that came to pass, was this-
Chapter 5 - verse 2- "And thou, Bethlehem Ephrata, art a little one among the thousands of Judah; out of thee he shall come forth unto me that is to be the ruler in Israel: and His going forth is from the beginning, from the days of eternity". [Catholic Action Addition]
So just what am I saying? Believers know these prophesies to be true. As history repeats itself so the Word warns us and what has happened in the past comes again so that we shall know the signs and symbols which are all about that none should perish.
I find it so amazing as Gods Words come to life right before us in the deeds of those who scoff at them. They literally are blind and deaf as the Word says. They do not see or hear and in fact they are the fulfillment of the Word.
So when I look at what in my opinion is the decadence of a society today. Those who seek after the idols and things of this world and ignore the warnings of God and trample the meek and the humble, the poor and the needy and literally crush them and take every ounce from them, while they lavish themselves in riches to gain it all, I think that what they profess is not really who they are by what they do and fail to do.
They profess one thing but do the opposite. Their love is not on the Spiritual it is on an idol be that whatever it is of this world they seek. That is their true love, their focus. So just what time are we living in? Is Gods hand upon us for that which we have done and are doing? Are we that nation Amos and Micah spoke to or was that long since gone?
Yes, I speak directly to you who call yourself a believer. Do you not see the signs all about and the symbols? If not, I find no fault in you. However, in my opinion you have your answer as to who you really are. Hey, just my opinion but if one seek the things of this world first one knows that in their heart of hearts and no professing can ever erase that.
So, do you trust in a man? Do you covet what someone else has? Are you envious or jealous of what someone else has? Do you plan and connive to get what someone else has? Do you, by what you have done and failed to do take advantage and hurt people directly or indirectly? One can go one but is there is a match in any then you decide what you must do.
As for me I take the warnings as a sign to an evil age and I must work toward whatever I need to do to get right with my God. So I leave you with this. If you have been moved by these words at all then it is time we put people into government who shared those views by works not just words. Change Congress, Change the Nation. Remember we area Christian Nation and in God We Trust! That is who and what we were founded on while respecting people of all diversity and working for the common good and not just the well being of the few. Perhaps it is time we restored that in our government? May God the father help us to accomplish His will and restore Him to prominence in our land. God have mercy on us all.
Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2008 Copyright 2008 Robert Melaccio
This Article has been viewed 216 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Hi Robert, great article-so true, but I do have to add that the idols that God was talking about were not only the coveting and greed, he was speaking of the literal idols that they made. The second commandment to His people was "do not make any carved image of anything in heaven, or earth, or underneath the earth". Unfortunately, they and many people throughout time have made carved images and they even bow before them. They use them as reminders to pray or even pray to the statue itself. God forbade this and yes, we are seeing the results of disobedience. Idol worship, whether visable or invisble is at an all time high. And we are reaping the consequences. Thank you for this very real and Biblical reminder. God Bless! TeresaPlease log in to respond to this comment.Thank you Teresa for your knowledge and your kind words. I would also point out that God Himself made an Image of his countenance on multiple occassions of His face which is pointed out in the Word. One of course it is Veronica's vail and the other Image he sent to a king for healing. Now if He did not want His image to be known, why make one? What was the purpose? Now what we both are talking to are the "differences" in interpretation which has divided the "thousands" of different Christian churches for centuries. Without hopefully offending you, because I sincerely think highly of you as a sister in Christ. The only Word for 1700 years was what all Christianity knew as the Universal Bible [Catholic]. That was changed in the Protostant reformation when they added and subtracted from that original manuscript. Now certainly since that was the first book or Word one can question if they added or subtracted according to the known Word of that day? My point being that as Paul says, there are many ways to worship one Jesus, some need more then others. He specifically makes refernce to it in his writings, why? I believe becuase God knew there would be many variables between worshipers but only one Christ. God bless and thanks for your feedback. It encourages me to look and that is what you are doing for many. RTMPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Robert, first I would like you to know that I am never offended when it comes to talking Scripture. I welcome a healthy conversation that sends me digging. As I am sure you will never (at least I hope) take my comments as mean or as an attack in anyway. Secondly, please give me the passages in the Bible that talk about God putting his image on something. I can't recall any, though it is a big book :-) I know about the Catholic history, and yes, here we might disagree quite a bit. Where is the info on Veronica's veil? This must be in an extra-biblical book. This is where I have some issues. As a Christian, the Bible is my source of final authority. I have read the Catholic Bible and many of the teachings of the Catholic church are not found in the Catholic Bible, but rather in the catochism (spell?). Which came after the Bible from the priests and popes to come. I have no problem with extra biblical material that inhances our understanding of Scripture, but I do have problems when the teaching is in direct conflict with it. Only one can be true, and again, I go back to the Bible and not man's commentary. Does this make sense? Getting back to this issue, there are hundred's of references to God saying have no graven images and statues of anything. Also, in Exodus when Moses wanted to see the face of God, God told him he would pass by him, but he was not able to see his face. God does not contradict himself and so I would believe what the Bible says over an extra-biblical book on any given subject. Even as we look at Scripture, some verses might say something that seems to contradict another, but when we look at the full counsel of God's word in context, we can see the true meaning. If you would like, I could give you a list of passages refering to this issue, and again, please give me the passages that say what you mentioned. I believe I missed them. As always, I am open to learning. And I pray that we will always be able to have a good coversation about some differences. Because the bottom line is we worship the same Christ and yes, I too value you as a brother in Christ. May the Spirit of God be upon both of us as we learn from one another. Shalom, my brother! TeresaPlease log in to respond to this comment.No, I misquoted when I used in the Word in reply to your comments. It was actually in early church writings. Yes, but thats for pointing that error out and I certainly do not get upset. That is how we learn and become enlightened. Yes and i do treasure your converstaion and knowledge. Yes, to error human to forgive devine and in this case I know you will forgive. Best wishes RTMPlease log in to respond to this comment.
hi robert, thank you for sharing your ideas and beliefs, they are very interesting and easy to relate to. is there anyone in government who shares these beliefs? best regards, suePlease log in to respond to this comment.Yes, there are good decent men and woman in governemnet. Howerv, it is up to us to find out what they really stand for not what they profess to. We can go to the Congressional record and see what they voted for, you'd be supprised. Best wishes, as always RobertPlease log in to respond to this comment.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.