"For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting; he expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry!" Isaiah 5:7 (NRSV)
We may wonder how Israel, God's chosen people, could be so violent and heartless in their oppression of the people of Palestine.
But the Old Testament is full of prophecies that criticize Israel for turning away from God.
The prophets continually accuse Israel of wickedness and iniquity.
Jesus' criticism of the Pharisees is merely a continuation of this tradition.
So don't support Israel's actions merely because they are God's chosen people, many a king of Israel was called "evil in the sight of God." 2 Kings 21:2a (NRSV)
[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.]
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