A Remnant

A Remnant.  We’ve all had that example, that teacher, or that coach who doles out collective punishments. If any of you makes a noise, then all of you will lose your recess. And as sure as the sun rises, we’ve all had that kid in the back of the classroom named Joey or Stu who derives extreme pleasure from ruining recess for the rest of the class. Very well, class, instead of recess, I want you to write out fifty times in cursive on a blank sheet of paper, “I will not make noise in class.” Even the thumping that Joey or Stu will receive after school for their stunt won’t keep them from ruining recess again at the next opportunity. People rarely change.

Collectivistic punishment seems particularly unfair in the Western World where individual freedom is the highest cultural value. But the Scriptures were written within an Eastern (Oriental) culture where collectivistic thought, action, and punishment were normal. What would have been abnormal was the concept of a remnant. Usually, if a fraction of the family, clan, tribe, or ethnic group were forcibly separated from the people, then the perceived crime must have been ghastly (e.g., blasphemy, bringing public dishonor to the family) to cause such a severe punishment (e.g., ostracism, exile). Ironically, the prophets presented the faithful remnant, not the tribe, as God’s blessed ones who will be rewarded.

The vast majority of Israel had become corrupt. Their collective punishment from God was unavoidable. However, a glimmer of hope came with the promise: “A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. For though your people Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return” (Isa. 10:21-22a). What will be bitter at first, due to collectivistic punishment, will be sweet in the end due to individual belief.

Historically privileged as stewards of God’s word, Israel’s collective punishment was summarized by their habitual unwillingness to listen to God. “For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord; who say to the seers, "Do not see," and to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel” (Isa. 30:9-11). Therefore, the Lord stopped communicating to the masses, externally. Instead, God will communicate to the remnant, internally. “And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left” (Isa. 30:20-21). People rarely change, but individuals might.