I have had this phrase uttered to me oh so many times by those who would advocate separating from those who do not agree with there theologies . But this raises some questions. Why would God tell us not to walk with those of differing opinions, then give us so many mysteries? Why would God tell us to follow a path of division when showing us a path of unity? Why give us the living example of our Messiah walking, and teaching all who wished to learn, and then say to not walk with them?
I must be clear, in this article it is not my intent to speak against others. I am not speaking of two who are following a different or no God or Gods. I am speaking about those who claim a faith in the One True God, and dived over minor issues or what the Word of God calls mysteries. Those walking together and then using Scriptures like Amos 3:3 to justify attacking and dividing communities.
We must understand that we are not called to divide but to unite. The Word will divide, our King will judge, and as such these are not our domain. We are called to walk in the world and through the light of Heaven show it the path to change. But this is not what this article is addressing. It is my hope that through this article we can address a very serious issue infecting our communities. Men misusing Scripture to cause division among brothers in the name of mysteries.
It has always bothered me how this verse could seem to say that if everyone does not agree with everything, then they should separate. It must be said that this idea seems to fit on the surface. That is until you dig a little deeper, and see that there are so many mysteries in Scripture.
So what are some of these dividing mysteries?
Godliness.
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
unity through union (two or more becoming one)
Eph 5:28 In this way husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
Eph 5:29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but feeds and cherishes it, as also the Master does the assembly.
Eph 5:30 Because we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
Eph 5:31 “For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
Eph 5:32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Messiah and the assembly.
Inclusion of the gentiles
Eph 3:3 how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words,
Eph 3:4 whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
Eph 3:5 which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,
glorified bodies.
1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1Co 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Not to mention many others. It is for us to seek out these mysteries, and to try to understand them. Not divide over our opinions of them. We all to often become very dogmatic about things that the Scriptures themselves speak of as mysteries. Yet we have no problem being loose on the things Scripture is very clear on. We even justify not doing the clear commandments and instructions of God in order to come together, or simply appease our flesh. Yet we have no problem destroying relationships, assemblies, and attacking our brothers and sisters over our opinions to what the Word of God often calls mysteries.
We do not know the clear answer to many of these passages because we are not yet at the end of the Story, not all has been revealed. We believe we have the answers, and we have strong opinions on many of the mysteries. Yet we do not really take in account that the other side of the issue has some valid points as well. Even if we do not agree with them. We have to at least recognize there point's and listen to there side. Other wise how could we expect them to listen to ours?
Through this we must ask ourselves if we really have to know all the answers? If we do actually think we know all of the answers, then what are we depending on? Our Knowledge, and capabilities, or God? Do we have to know, to trust fully in God's promises. Do we have to know and agree on everything in order to be unified? As it is said, "this mystery" is not yet fully revealed. So how can we ever hope to come together as the unified Body of Messiah if we separate over so many mysteries that have not been fully revealed?
Are we to be so dogmatic about our opinions of mysteries that we break apart unities, bonds, and relationships? Is this the work of a disciple?
Can two walk together if they do not agree?
Rom 8:28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
Is the work of a disciple one of division and chaos. Or one of Faith and learning through unity? It is my opinion that it is not a disciples job to attack and tear down but to build up in love
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Amos 3:3 seems to be very clear to so many who read it. Many take it as a call for division. But is that what it is saying?
Amo 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
This verse if read out of the context of History, Language, and the Scriptures surrounding it seems to say that we have to agree in our theologies in order to walk together. So by comparison if we cannot agree then we should separate. So lets begin our search by digging into the context of History.
Who was Amos, and what is he talking about?
Amos was of course a prophet of our God. His name actually would be translated as burden - bearer. His name comes form the Hebrew Amas which means to lift a burden – to carry. Amos was a businessman – farmer from Judah who was called to deliver a message of condemnation and judgment to the northern Kingdom, Israel. He tells us nothing about his family or lineage, but does give us a lot of information about his times. His geographical, chronological, and cultural settings.
His occupation, he says was a shepherd in Amos 1:1. But the word here is the Hebrew word noqed. This word suggests something a bit more than a mere watcher and tender of Sheep. The only other occurrence of this word is found in 2 Kings 3:4. It is used to describe Mesha, king of Moab. So most likely he was a sheep merchant, and probably pretty wealthy. In other words not a peasant. The Prophet also describes himself as a dresser of sycamore-fig trees. The Hebrew term used in Amos 7:14 is boles, a word which probably refers to the nipping or slitting of fruit in order to make it edible. So it seems that Amos was an fig cultivator, as well as a successful dealer of sheep.
Amos was in the time of King Uzziah of Judah (790 – 739 BCE) and King Jeroboam II of Israel (793 – 753 BCE) two years before a great earthquake, a cataclysm, so massive that it was recalled 240 years later by the Prophet Zechariah in Zech 14:15. This earthquake is known to have occurred around 760 BCE. That would place the events of Amos at around 762 BCE.
Amos was born in Tekoa near Jerusalem in the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Amos being from the Southern Kingdom was astutely aware of the idolatrous practices that was added to the worship of the northern kingdom by King Jeroboam in order to keep the people from returning to Jerusalem for worship. This was an attempt to keep the people in Israel and not returning to Judah.
Through this the people had made there practices above that of God. It was no longer about Gods appointed times and places but there own. Amos found it necessary to preach against idolatry (even idolatry in the name of the one true God), immorality (that which is against Gods Laws of morality not mans), corruption, and terrible social injustice.
At this time both the Northern and southern kingdoms were enjoying great prosperity. This made the crimes of social injustice stand out all the more clear. In the portion of Scripture that we get the a fore mentioned passage of Amos 3:3, Amos condemns the wealthy Israelite s for bribery, slavery, and exploitation of the poor. He also rails against there sexual, and religious immorality. He comes against there newly appointed times and places of worship.
Unfortunately, the unusual prosperity brought a collapse of moral standards. Ignored were the great ideals and commandments of God's Holy Word to help the poor, and to practice justice and loving kindness. The rich oppressed the poor; might was right; it was an age of corruption. Hand in hand with this degeneration of the morals of the people went increased idolatry. People built many altars on mountains to serve the Canaanite gods, the Baal and Ashtarte. The Golden Calves, which the first Jeroboam set up in the north and south of the country to turn the people away from the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, were worshiped more than before and the teachings of God and the holy commandments were viewed with contempt.
Amos recalls that it was our God who saved them from there enemies and enabled them to inhabit the promised land. He recalls that God gave them Nazirites and prophets to guide them. But Israel only corrupted or disregarded its religious leaders. They not only disregarded the true Leaders and instructors that God sent but they created there own in order to replace them. As a consequence, the lord will exact punishment that no one will be able to escape from.
Amos then warns the people that any misfortune that comes to them will be sent by God. He begs them to listen to his prophecy. Which they do not do.
Now that we have a background for Amos and a context for the times lets look at a few of the things we learned.
Amos was not a professional man of God.
Amos was from Judah and knew the correct times and places for worship.
Israel had abandoned many of the appointed times and places in place of there own.
And although the kingdom of Israel was in a time of prosperity they were morally corrupt.
So from the context of history, does the idea of judging and causing division between brothers due to theological differences fit? If we only look at the context of History and Scripture we could almost make a case for it, right? I mean this was a layman prophet that was sharing a prophecy of judgment, and warning. So it really wouldn’t be to far of a reach, right? But in order to make this leap we would have to ignore the fact that Amos is speaking of a relationship between God and man, and not relationships between men. But even this could be seen as a relationship between Judah and Israel. So lets dig a little deeper. In the next article we will address the context of language and see if this idea of division could actually fit.
As we go forth and test these new ideas in Scripture let us pray that our Father gives us His Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and truth. So we may see and walk as our Messiah walked, and be true disciples in the Name of Yeshua (Jesus). May we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to change for the glory of our God
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