Monday, December 14, 2009

From the Bible

The Lord speaks through Samuel to Saul as follows: “Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.” (I Samuel, 15)

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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

In the Pentateuch, the Amalekites are nomads who attacked the Hebrews at Rephidim (Exodus 17:8-10) in the desert of Sinai during their exodus from Egypt: "smiting the hindmost, all that were feeble behind," (1 Samuel 5:2). The Tanakh recognizes the Amalekites as indigenous tribesmen, "the first of the nations" (Numbers 24:20). In the southern lowlands too, perhaps the dry grazing lands that are now the Negev (Num. 12, 14), there were aboriginal Amalekites who were daunting adversaries of the Hebrews in the earliest times. "They dwelt in the land of the south...from Havilah until thou comest to Shur" (Numbers 13:29; 1 Samuel 15:7). At times said to be allied with the Moabites (Judg. 3:13) and the Midianites (Judges 6:3). Each of their kings bore the hereditary name of Agag (Num. 24:7; 1 Sam. 15:8). They also attacked the Israelites at Hormah (Num. 14:45). Saul and his army destroyed most of the people, and earned Samuel's wrath for leaving some of the people and livestock alive (1 Samuel 15:8-9) against God's command. Saul and the tribal leaders also hesitated to kill Agag, so Samuel himself executed the Amalekite king (1 Samuel 15:33).

God forgave and forgave the Amalakites, and each time they would simply regroup and then war against the Israelites again. This was to be the final dealing with the Amalakites.

Lesson, God will forgive and forgive and forgive, but even His mercy is not limitless to the unrepentant.

Clement said...

Grateful that you took the trouble to elaborate on that. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I am of the opinion that if you die unrepentant then you really don't want forgiveness.If evil has been your lifetime choice then the home of evil will be you eternal abode.God does not condemn you as you will condemn yourself and know in what destination you belong.

Anonymous said...

Still, no reason to kill "woman, infant and suckling". And "ox, sheep, camel and ass"? I don't think a good God would say that. I think that Samuel made them believe that it was God's order so that they will do such a heinous act. After all, that's what God is : what priests, prophets and "sacred" story books make ignorant people believe.

Harikesh Chauhan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
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