Mosiah 19
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It's amazing to me the huge number of people that went with Alma--450 souls! That is amazing! Such a large group, and the king's men couldn't find them. What a clear example of the power of the Lord, that He could lead Alma and the people of the Lord into the wilderness, and keep them hidden from the guards of King Noah.
Meanwhile, back in town . . .
So, now back in the kingdom, King Noah is still a whiny, wicked ruler. He's down one priest (Alma) and his army has shrunk. His people have also gone down in numbers, as he had just lost nearly 500 of them.
Those who were still there were beginning to split into two groups: those who support the king, and those were against him. Gideon was against the king, so much so that he swore he'd kill King Noah. Makes you wonder if there was an undercurrent of knowledge about Abinidi and Alma running through the town.
I want to note something very interesting here. Alma and his people were chased out of their homes and the town by the kings men. Some would look at this like a bad thing. I mean, wouldn't the believers be protected for their faith? Where was their reward?
BUT- when you look at the bigger picture, it is easy to see how the Lord does take care of His own. Alma and his people left in the nick of time, and it was the Lord who told them to leave. Just a few chapters later they find the land of Zarahemla and were added to the church members there--safe and sound.
It was right after they left that the Lamanites descended upon King Noah's town , killing them and taking them captive (minus Coward Noah and a few of his priests that left their families and ran for their own lives.) The people that did not follow Alma were then subject to bondage of the Lamanites, owing them 1/2 of all they have as life-tax.
This isn't to say that there weren't good people still there. Limhi was good, and stepped up to be there king. Gideon was good as well. But, they didn't have the gospel in their lives (some become converted when Ammon shows up on chapter 21), and hadn't made covenants to the Lord.
We also learn that King Noah and his priests suffered death by fire, just as Abinidi had, and had prophesied would happen to them. I wonder if Abinidi greeted Noah on the other side of the veil. If he did, it would have been the ultimate, "I told you so."
It's amazing to me the huge number of people that went with Alma--450 souls! That is amazing! Such a large group, and the king's men couldn't find them. What a clear example of the power of the Lord, that He could lead Alma and the people of the Lord into the wilderness, and keep them hidden from the guards of King Noah.
Meanwhile, back in town . . .
So, now back in the kingdom, King Noah is still a whiny, wicked ruler. He's down one priest (Alma) and his army has shrunk. His people have also gone down in numbers, as he had just lost nearly 500 of them.
Those who were still there were beginning to split into two groups: those who support the king, and those were against him. Gideon was against the king, so much so that he swore he'd kill King Noah. Makes you wonder if there was an undercurrent of knowledge about Abinidi and Alma running through the town.
I want to note something very interesting here. Alma and his people were chased out of their homes and the town by the kings men. Some would look at this like a bad thing. I mean, wouldn't the believers be protected for their faith? Where was their reward?
BUT- when you look at the bigger picture, it is easy to see how the Lord does take care of His own. Alma and his people left in the nick of time, and it was the Lord who told them to leave. Just a few chapters later they find the land of Zarahemla and were added to the church members there--safe and sound.
It was right after they left that the Lamanites descended upon King Noah's town , killing them and taking them captive (minus Coward Noah and a few of his priests that left their families and ran for their own lives.) The people that did not follow Alma were then subject to bondage of the Lamanites, owing them 1/2 of all they have as life-tax.
This isn't to say that there weren't good people still there. Limhi was good, and stepped up to be there king. Gideon was good as well. But, they didn't have the gospel in their lives (some become converted when Ammon shows up on chapter 21), and hadn't made covenants to the Lord.
We also learn that King Noah and his priests suffered death by fire, just as Abinidi had, and had prophesied would happen to them. I wonder if Abinidi greeted Noah on the other side of the veil. If he did, it would have been the ultimate, "I told you so."
Karma to the king. Pretty sad.
ReplyDeleteIf we add up all of our taxes it's about 50% also.