If you were going to get candy you wouldn’t go to an Auto parts store. If you were looking to get your hair cut you wouldn’t head to the clothing store. So if you want directions from God why would you go to man.
This is exactly what God is telling Israel, Judea and Ephraim. God is bring judgement into their lives in order that might seek His face but instead they are going to the world around them. He responds to them by telling them since they sought relief from man rather then God, He would like a moth (destroying them) and a lion (tearing the to pieces) and like rottenness (smelling and decaying).
What God brought into the lives of His people was so that they would seek His face. But beyond he destruction that He speak about He also says that He will leave them to themselves (alone without God) until they acknowledge their guilt and seek His face. The affliction is designed by God for a purpose, so that would EARNESTLY seek HIM!
Hosea 5:8-15
Blow the horn in Gibeah, The trumpet in Ramah. Sound an alarm at Beth-aven: " Behind you, Benjamin!" 9 Ephraim will become a desolation in the day of rebuke; Among the tribes of Israel I declare what is sure. 10 The princes of Judah have become like those who move a boundary;
On them I will pour out My wrath like water. 11 Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment,
Because he was determined to follow man's command. 12 Therefore I am like a moth to Ephraim And like rottenness to the house of Judah. 13 When Ephraim saw his sickness, And Judah his wound, Then Ephraim went to Assyria And sent to King Jareb. But he is unable to heal you, Or to cure you of your wound. 14 For I will be like a lion to Ephraim And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear to pieces and go away, I will carry away, and there will be none to deliver. 15 I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me. NASU
Have you been faced with afflictions? Could God be seeking you to acknowledge some guilt in your life and seek His face?
Why not confess that sin to God and seek Him through the reading of the Word of God.
Click on the "How to know Jesus link"
Explore for yourself.
What has God done? Why?
1. What is the warning that comes? What is going to come their way?
2. What significance is there to moving boundaries?
3. What is a "moth"? What is rottenness?
4. Where did Ephraim and Judah go when they were sick?
5. Now what action (animal) does God bring? What is the result?
6. How long will God stay away?
7. What will happen in their affliction?
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Listen Up
How many times does you wife or husband ask, “Are you listening?” or you ask your kids, “are you listening?” Why do we ask that questions? We do it because although they “hear” us they really aren’t “listening” to what is being said. The words are heard but they aren’t producing the actions that are required.
The Lord, through Hosea, is telling the people to “HEAR!” meaning more that catch the words
but responded in a correct way to those words. The Lord is sending judgement because of what is happening and the failure of the people to be obedient.
Hos 5:1-7
5 Hear this, O priests! Give heed, O house of Israel! Listen, O house of the king! For the judgment applies to you, For you have been a snare at Mizpah And a net spread out on Tabor. 2 The revolters have gone deep in depravity, But I will chastise all of them. 3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you have played the harlot, Israel has defiled itself. 4 Their deeds will not allow them To return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, And they do not know the Lord. 5 Moreover, the pride of Israel testifies against him, And Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also has stumbled with them. 6 They will go with their flocks and herds To seek the Lord, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them. 7 They have dealt treacherously against the Lord, For they have borne illegitimate children. Now the new moon will devour them with their land. NASU
Let me ask you this question today. Have you truly heard what God has said to you?
Matt 11:28-30
28 " Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and B YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." NASA
John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. NASU
Jesus is calling you to invite Him into your life. Please hear Him today.
Explore for yourself.
1. Who is supposed to be listening to Hosea? Why?
2. Why does God say they are not hidden from Him?
3. What has been done? Why can’t they return to God?
4. How has pride gotten in the way?
The Lord, through Hosea, is telling the people to “HEAR!” meaning more that catch the words
but responded in a correct way to those words. The Lord is sending judgement because of what is happening and the failure of the people to be obedient.
Hos 5:1-7
5 Hear this, O priests! Give heed, O house of Israel! Listen, O house of the king! For the judgment applies to you, For you have been a snare at Mizpah And a net spread out on Tabor. 2 The revolters have gone deep in depravity, But I will chastise all of them. 3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you have played the harlot, Israel has defiled itself. 4 Their deeds will not allow them To return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, And they do not know the Lord. 5 Moreover, the pride of Israel testifies against him, And Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also has stumbled with them. 6 They will go with their flocks and herds To seek the Lord, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them. 7 They have dealt treacherously against the Lord, For they have borne illegitimate children. Now the new moon will devour them with their land. NASU
Let me ask you this question today. Have you truly heard what God has said to you?
Matt 11:28-30
28 " Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and B YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." NASA
John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. NASU
Jesus is calling you to invite Him into your life. Please hear Him today.
Explore for yourself.
1. Who is supposed to be listening to Hosea? Why?
2. Why does God say they are not hidden from Him?
3. What has been done? Why can’t they return to God?
4. How has pride gotten in the way?
Monday, July 14, 2008
Drifting Away
Sometimes we seek things to bring us pleasure and enjoyment only to find out that they really don't satisfy. The more we want the less we truly receive.
These are some of what Hosea is describing. Things have been multiplied in their lives but the glory they had has changed, it is now shame. Ouch, that hurts, having something valuable turning to useless is not what we want out of life.
Pursuing these pleasure begins a downhill spiral in their lives. They more they go after the less it "rewards them". God bring judgement. Not because He is wicked but because of His great love for the children of Israel.
Hos 4:7-19
7 The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me;I will change their glory into shame. 8 They feed on the sin of My people And direct their desire toward their iniquity. 9 And it will be, like people, like priest;So I will punish them for their ways And repay them for their deeds. 10 They will eat, but not have enough; They will play the harlot, but not increase,Because they have stopped giving heed to the Lord. 11 Harlotry, wine and new wine take away the understanding. 12 My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner's wand informs them;For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray,And they have played the harlot, departing from their God. 13 They offer sacrifices on the tops of the mountains And burn incense on the hills, Under oak, poplar and terebinth, Because their shade is pleasant.Therefore your daughters play the harlot And your brides commit adultery. 14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot Or your brides when they commit adultery, For the men themselves go apart with harlots And offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes;So the people without understanding are ruined. 15 Though you, Israel, play the harlot, Do not let Judah become guilty; Also do not go to Gilgal, Or go up to Beth-aven And take the oath:"As the Lord lives!" 16 Since Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn heifer, Can the Lord now pasture them Like a lamb in a large field? 17 Ephraim is joined to idols; Let him alone. 18 Their liquor gone,They play the harlot continually; Their rulers dearly love shame. 19 The wind wraps them in its wings, And they will be ashamed because of their sacrifices. NASU
Explore for Yourself
8. What are they doing with their desires? What is important to notice about the people and priest?
9. What warning signs do we have when people simply need more?
10. What things take away understanding? What leads them astray?
11. Why do they sacrifice "in the mountains"? Why do the daughters and wives play the harlot?
12. What statement is made concerning men and their leadership?
13. What was Judah to avoid? What could happen in a large open field with sheep?
14. What happen to Ephraim? What does their rulers love? What will bring shame?
These are some of what Hosea is describing. Things have been multiplied in their lives but the glory they had has changed, it is now shame. Ouch, that hurts, having something valuable turning to useless is not what we want out of life.
Pursuing these pleasure begins a downhill spiral in their lives. They more they go after the less it "rewards them". God bring judgement. Not because He is wicked but because of His great love for the children of Israel.
Hos 4:7-19
7 The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me;I will change their glory into shame. 8 They feed on the sin of My people And direct their desire toward their iniquity. 9 And it will be, like people, like priest;So I will punish them for their ways And repay them for their deeds. 10 They will eat, but not have enough; They will play the harlot, but not increase,Because they have stopped giving heed to the Lord. 11 Harlotry, wine and new wine take away the understanding. 12 My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner's wand informs them;For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray,And they have played the harlot, departing from their God. 13 They offer sacrifices on the tops of the mountains And burn incense on the hills, Under oak, poplar and terebinth, Because their shade is pleasant.Therefore your daughters play the harlot And your brides commit adultery. 14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot Or your brides when they commit adultery, For the men themselves go apart with harlots And offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes;So the people without understanding are ruined. 15 Though you, Israel, play the harlot, Do not let Judah become guilty; Also do not go to Gilgal, Or go up to Beth-aven And take the oath:"As the Lord lives!" 16 Since Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn heifer, Can the Lord now pasture them Like a lamb in a large field? 17 Ephraim is joined to idols; Let him alone. 18 Their liquor gone,They play the harlot continually; Their rulers dearly love shame. 19 The wind wraps them in its wings, And they will be ashamed because of their sacrifices. NASU
Explore for Yourself
8. What are they doing with their desires? What is important to notice about the people and priest?
9. What warning signs do we have when people simply need more?
10. What things take away understanding? What leads them astray?
11. Why do they sacrifice "in the mountains"? Why do the daughters and wives play the harlot?
12. What statement is made concerning men and their leadership?
13. What was Judah to avoid? What could happen in a large open field with sheep?
14. What happen to Ephraim? What does their rulers love? What will bring shame?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
