In place of foreknowledge and divine omniscience, topics, today, include human choice, the making of Israel as a nation, judgment, revelation, and salvation. Also, there is more on all sin as the same. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Wick” (Level 3 with 1,383 points, joined 3 months ago) posted the following:
Why did the Lord need the people to remove their ornaments before He'd know what to do to them (Ex 33:5)?
"5 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Say to the children of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. I could come up into your midst in one moment and consume you. Now therefore, take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do to you.’”
THE BATTLE AXE: All Sins Are Equal? (06/25/2014)—(5.) Where the holy writings speak of sin (singular, not plural) a peculiar spiritual effect and posture toward divinity should come into view expressed through, yet, different from the various offenses, behaviors and crimes that men commit. So to speak the whole is greater than simply the sum of its parts. All sin appears through the same inner mechanisms and operations. All sin is directed to the same end, generates a single outcome, and is described by a single existential purpose. All sin generates and maintains evil (i.e., arbitrary and unintended change; calamity, catastrophe, widespread destruction, upheaval), inequality (we say, disproportion, imbalance, immaturity, instability), ungodliness, and wickedness. All sin is addressed by GOD through sacred provisions such as atonement, baptism, forbearance, forgiveness, longsuffering, judgment, love, and sanctification. Just as sin opposes the continued existence of divinity, sin opposes sacred knowledge and right relationship with GOD, correct reverence, and proper worship. See Isaiah 66: 1-4, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8: 1-3, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Guarantee of Heaven? (03/22/2014); The Bible is Unchanging? (03/23/2014); Jericho Justified? (07/02/2013); Theoretical Forgiveness? (07/03/2013); Lost Without GOD? (06/26/2013); When Does Judgment Begin? (06/27/2013); The Children, not the Dogs (03/17/2013); Why Jesus Must Be A Jew (03/18/2013); The Benefit of Grace (03/19/2013); “Authorized Personnel Only” (03/13/2013); Before Abraham Was… (03/14/2013)
“Wick”, here are some points to consider regarding divine judgment and salvation:
(1.) The people who left Egypt hoping to be led into a new land were spiritually corrupt. While they had maintained their identity as kinspersons, families, and tribes, their social customs and worship traditions had become heavily influenced by their desire to be a part of the world, and their having been grafted (we say, assimilated) into the culture of Egypt. Despite the demonstrations of divine wrath against the sins of Egypt, many were motivated more by a desire to escape poverty, and to possess their own property, than a desire to know, or serve the true and living GOD. Many were still in conflict, did not understand the full commitment being required, and had not put away all their fear of the unknown.
(2.) The revelation of GOD to Moses, to Egypt, and to all mankind is to be seen as the appearing of divinity through judgment. Removal of their ornaments pertain to cleansing, humility, stripping away the old errors and sin as well as to being set apart for divine service (we say, anointing, consecration, purification, sanctification).
(3.) By the Exodus, the process of divine judgment is shown as having more aspects and levels than simply condemnation and punishment. There also are such facets as correction (we say, instruction), death with rebirth, endurance (we say, longsuffering, patience), forbearance, forgiveness, and repentance (return to GOD). A person chooses and determines their own position and standing before GOD through their actions applying sacred knowledge, their continuing expression of attitudes and beliefs, and their responses to adversity that display the measure of divinity within themselves.
(4.) The number of those who left Egypt with Moses is not recorded in the holy writings. However, a census of those who would serve as the army of Israel was taken, and more than ½ million males of fighting age were mustered. Because they lacked faith and continued under the influence of sin, of that number only two would actually enter the Promised Land and receive their divine allotment (Joshua and Caleb). Neither Aaron nor Moses crossed the Jordan River.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. For example, (5.) Israel was not yet a nation, and could only become a sovereign state in covenant with the Holy One by facing multiple challenges as a united collective, and remaining steadfast in relationship to one another and to GOD. Just as divinity was being revealed using the frameworks of time and space, the nature of Israel as a people would have to emerge through repeated opportunities to fulfill their pledge to GOD.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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