Israel, when spoken of in the scriptures, is not exclusive to the nation herself, but is representative of God's people everywhere. Where is your royal priesthood?
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Howbeit,
Hosea 4:6 (KJV)
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
When God points the finger, His vengeance is unrelenting.
Malachi 2 (NIV)
¹"And now, you priests, this warning is for you. ²If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name," says the LORD Almighty, "I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.
Again, be not deceived. God is not nearsighted. He doesn't just hold the dishonorable "whitewashing priests" accountable; but, in like manner, those who follow them.
Hosea 4:9 (NIV)
And it will be: Like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
It's not just what you get; but, more importantly, how you get it. God knows when it's ill-gotten. (Compassed about)
Isaiah 30:22 (NIV)
Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!"
For indeed,
Proverbs 16:16 (KJV)
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
So then,
Proverbs 4:7 (KJV)
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
I do not strive with the priests, I speak warning.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Howbeit,
Hosea 4:6 (KJV)
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
When God points the finger, His vengeance is unrelenting.
Malachi 2 (NIV)
¹"And now, you priests, this warning is for you. ²If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name," says the LORD Almighty, "I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.
Again, be not deceived. God is not nearsighted. He doesn't just hold the dishonorable "whitewashing priests" accountable; but, in like manner, those who follow them.
Hosea 4:9 (NIV)
And it will be: Like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
It's not just what you get; but, more importantly, how you get it. God knows when it's ill-gotten. (Compassed about)
Isaiah 30:22 (NIV)
Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!"
For indeed,
Proverbs 16:16 (KJV)
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
So then,
Proverbs 4:7 (KJV)
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
I do not strive with the priests, I speak warning.
west Africa and you
