September 17 - Hosea 1-4
The basic plot of the book of Hosea is very challenging to us as believers, as well as the details of the prophecy. It is amazing to think about God commanding Hosea to take a wife who was a harlot, and to use his family to send a message to Israel. Sometimes, we think our families are "off limits" to God. He can use us, but just leave our families out of it. That is not always how God works, as we see here. I pray that all of us will be open to God using our families to be a sermon to the people around us, instead of speaking all of our sermons.
Then, when we look at the details of this passage, we see that God's mercy had run out for the northern kingdom of Israel. They had so broken God's covenant that He said to them, "You are not my people." (1:9) Thankfully, this was only a temporary condition, and in verse 11 God revealed that He would restore Israel and even restore the unity of Judah and Israel. This shows us that there is an end to God's mercy, but it also shows His heart of compassion for His people. Even though, He had to punish them, He had a plan to bring them back.
The plan was to put a "hedge of thorns" around them, so their pagan lovers would not want them (2:6), to take away their material blessings, and to take away their happiness, so they would realize their sin and return to Him. This drastic course of action was the last resort for a people who had forgotten God. (2:13) I think this gives us a pattern for how we can pray for those who have forgotten God today, as we pray for their restoration. It is a hard prayer to pray for a loved one, but if it is effective, it is worth the pain.
The other thing that is so amazing here is that God wanted Israel to love Him as a husband again and not as a master. (2:16) This comes after her adultery and all of her sins. He still loved His people. He wanted to be married to her again even after she has gone off with someone else. (2:19) He wanted a new betrothal and a new covenant of marriage. There are some people who would never return to an unfaithful wife or husband, but God is not that way, and I don't believe He wants us to be that way. He wants us to complete the love that was there and to make it even better than before. However, the trouble is that His people are "destroyed for lack of knowledge." (4:6) Most believers are listening to the world, instead of God. They have a lack of knowledge, because they have rejected God's way and His knowledge. Our way always leads to destruction. Go to the Lord, and He will give you all the wisdom and the knowledge you need to do His will and to be truly happy.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Hosea 5-7.
Then, when we look at the details of this passage, we see that God's mercy had run out for the northern kingdom of Israel. They had so broken God's covenant that He said to them, "You are not my people." (1:9) Thankfully, this was only a temporary condition, and in verse 11 God revealed that He would restore Israel and even restore the unity of Judah and Israel. This shows us that there is an end to God's mercy, but it also shows His heart of compassion for His people. Even though, He had to punish them, He had a plan to bring them back.
The plan was to put a "hedge of thorns" around them, so their pagan lovers would not want them (2:6), to take away their material blessings, and to take away their happiness, so they would realize their sin and return to Him. This drastic course of action was the last resort for a people who had forgotten God. (2:13) I think this gives us a pattern for how we can pray for those who have forgotten God today, as we pray for their restoration. It is a hard prayer to pray for a loved one, but if it is effective, it is worth the pain.
The other thing that is so amazing here is that God wanted Israel to love Him as a husband again and not as a master. (2:16) This comes after her adultery and all of her sins. He still loved His people. He wanted to be married to her again even after she has gone off with someone else. (2:19) He wanted a new betrothal and a new covenant of marriage. There are some people who would never return to an unfaithful wife or husband, but God is not that way, and I don't believe He wants us to be that way. He wants us to complete the love that was there and to make it even better than before. However, the trouble is that His people are "destroyed for lack of knowledge." (4:6) Most believers are listening to the world, instead of God. They have a lack of knowledge, because they have rejected God's way and His knowledge. Our way always leads to destruction. Go to the Lord, and He will give you all the wisdom and the knowledge you need to do His will and to be truly happy.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Hosea 5-7.