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has stumbled with them. 6 They will go with their flocks and herds To seek the Lord, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them. 7 They have dealt treacherously against the Lord, For they have borne illegitimate children.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?