Alma 33:3-14
Now upon exhorting the people to search the scriptures, Alma then turns to an unknown prophet by all modern accounts by the name of Zenos to answer the group's question: how were they to have faith?
Not only does Alma use these verses to teach faith in the Son of God, he does it by also teaching the people how to pray, which was also an answer to an earlier question found at the beginning of chapter 32.
Considering verse 11:
Well, Psalm 34:19 seems to also support that sentiment:
Is that what this means? "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." (Hebrews 12:6)
----
Now the focus of this passage of scripture though is to point to this group of Zoramites toward Christ. As such Alma concludes in verse 14:
Now upon exhorting the people to search the scriptures, Alma then turns to an unknown prophet by all modern accounts by the name of Zenos to answer the group's question: how were they to have faith?
Not only does Alma use these verses to teach faith in the Son of God, he does it by also teaching the people how to pray, which was also an answer to an earlier question found at the beginning of chapter 32.
Considering verse 11:
And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son. (emphasis added)Why would it be required of us to have afflictions in order that the Lord would hear us? Or why does the prophet Zenos say that Lord did hear him because of his afflictions? This seems like a strange statement, almost suggesting that the Lord hears better the prayers of those that are afflicted.
Well, Psalm 34:19 seems to also support that sentiment:
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.and 2 Timothy 3:12 drives the point home:
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (emphasis added)That's not a really big selling point of the Gospel, except that the reason for the affliction is because of the covenants that link us to God and which are designed by their very natures to bring us closer to Him. So perhaps the Lord does hear better those that are afflicted because those afflictions are a result of trying covenants that we have entered into with Him.
Is that what this means? "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." (Hebrews 12:6)
----
Now the focus of this passage of scripture though is to point to this group of Zoramites toward Christ. As such Alma concludes in verse 14:
Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read the scriptures? If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God?But Alma is not just saying believe in Christ. He uses this verse from Zenos to illustrate that in life's daily circumstances, in the fields, in the home, in the church, in the face of our enemies, there is Christ -- the answer to our prayers.
Comments
Post a Comment