September 19 - Hosea 8-10
Today, as we continue to read Hosea's message to Israel, we find a major reason for their downfall into sin and destruction. It is not explained fully, but there are several references to the "calf." (8:5,6) This is not the calf made by Aaron at Mt. Sinai, but it is the calf made by the first king of Israel, Jeroboam. This idol was made for the newly created country to worship, so the people would not go back to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple and be tempted to reunite with the southern kingdom of Judah. It was a faulty foundation for their worship from the very beginning. That is why verse 7 says that they "sow the wind and reap the whirlwind." If we put our effort and devotion into something that is false and has no substance, we will reap something with no substance, too. That is the root of most sinful lives today. There is no real devotion to the Lord and His Word. People are sowing the things of the world, and they are reaping terrible consequences.
These three chapters remind us that God is gracious to us. He finds us like grapes in the wilderness, and He loves us and cultivates us for His glory. (9:10) However, then we often forget who is blessing us, and we turn to other things. Then, God has to punish us and our children. That is why Hosea prays for God to give them "a miscarrying womb and dry breasts." (9:14) He knew the destruction that would come upon their children because of the sins of the parents. It produces a very dire situation which is almost hopeless. However, it is not totally hopeless. He says they need to "sow righteousness and break up the fallow ground." ( 10:12) This is a reference to their hard hearts and sinful ways. They need to repent and do the right things. Stop following the sins of the fathers, and "God will rain righteousness on you." Then, the fruit will be from the Lord instead of the fruit of sin. This is hard for people. We get in a rut. We don't listen to God. We do things our way. However, we must break that false pattern and set our hearts on the Lord and His Word. Then, God can abundantly bless us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Hosea 11-14.
These three chapters remind us that God is gracious to us. He finds us like grapes in the wilderness, and He loves us and cultivates us for His glory. (9:10) However, then we often forget who is blessing us, and we turn to other things. Then, God has to punish us and our children. That is why Hosea prays for God to give them "a miscarrying womb and dry breasts." (9:14) He knew the destruction that would come upon their children because of the sins of the parents. It produces a very dire situation which is almost hopeless. However, it is not totally hopeless. He says they need to "sow righteousness and break up the fallow ground." ( 10:12) This is a reference to their hard hearts and sinful ways. They need to repent and do the right things. Stop following the sins of the fathers, and "God will rain righteousness on you." Then, the fruit will be from the Lord instead of the fruit of sin. This is hard for people. We get in a rut. We don't listen to God. We do things our way. However, we must break that false pattern and set our hearts on the Lord and His Word. Then, God can abundantly bless us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Hosea 11-14.