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Hosea 10-14
Reaping A Righteous Relationship
with God
Psalm 106:21-48 Righteousness by Impalement
21.They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt,22.Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome things by the Red Sea.23.Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had Moses, His chosen, not stood before Him in the breach, to turn away His wrath, so that He wouldn’t destroy them.24.Yes, they despised the pleasant land. They didn’t believe His word,25.but murmured in their tents, and didn’t listen to Yahweh’s voice.26.Therefore He swore to them that He would overthrow them in the wilderness,27.that He would overthrow their seed among the nations, and scatter them in the lands.28.They joined themselves also to Baal Peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.29.Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds. The plague broke in on them.30.Then Phinehas stood up, and executed judgment, so the plague was stopped.31.That was credited to him for righteousness, for all generations to come.32.They angered Him also at the waters of Meribah, so that Moses was troubled for their sakes;33.because they were rebellious against His spirit, he spoke rashly with his lips.
34.They didn’t destroy the peoples, as Yahweh commanded them,35.but mixed themselves with the nations, and learned their works.36.They served their idols, which became a snare to them.37.Yes, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons.38.They shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan. The land was polluted with blood.39.Thus were they defiled with their works, and prostituted themselves in their deeds.40.Therefore Yahweh burned with anger against His people. He abhorred His inheritance.41.He gave them into the hand of the nations. Those who hated them ruled over them.42.Their enemies also oppressed them. They were brought into subjection under their hand.
43.Many times He delivered them, but they were rebellious in their counsel, and were brought low in their iniquity.44.Nevertheless He regarded their distress, when He heard their cry.45.He remembered for them His covenant, and repented according to the multitude of His hesed/loyal covenantal love.46.He made them also to be pitied by all those who carried them captive.47.Save us, Yahweh, our God, gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to Your holy name, to triumph in Your praise!48.Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting! Let all the people say, "Amen."Praise Yah!"
Observation
106:21-48.This psalm has great theology, giving insights into the nature of God, and man, and the relationship between the two. Anyone who says the God of the OT isn't a God of grace and love is ignorant and deceived, (and demonic if actually teaching that lie as truth, as are those who teach that the God of the NT isn't just). God demonstrates incredible patience and mercy toward His sinful people. They persist in doing what is wrong, and harmful to themselves and others, and dishonoring to God, yet He doesn't destroy them from the face of the earth like they deserve. Instead, He justly but graciously disciplines them, grants mercy and protection to them in their discipline, hears their cry of repentance, and reinstates them to their privileges that they had despised. From the psalmist's perspective, He is truly a God to be praised! Note three key points: they chose their sin and resulting consequences by choosing to forget God and disobey; God saves them on the basis of His covenant loyalty, or hesed/love. Phinehas executed justice by spearing the fornicating man and woman engaging in sensual pagan worship, and God credited it to him as righteousness. Fortunately now you just have to believe, which is a lot easier and less messy. However, having a passion for the reputation and glory of God and a hatred for sin is probably still a good thing.
Application
God is gracious in accepting those who repent and rewarding those who are zealous for Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are incredibly patient and gracious with Your people; may I be one like Phinehas, who gives You glory, rather than one who gives You grief. Amen.
Proverbs 24:19-29 Perspective and Planning
19.“Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked:20.for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.21.My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious:22.for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both―who knows?
23.These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.24.He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous"; peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him―25.but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.26.An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
27.Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
28.Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.29.Don’t say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."
Observations
24:19-29.There is no reward for the evildoers but the righteous will receive a rich blessing. This collection of wisdom advocates the wise course of action by considering the consequences, and fearing God (nothing new here, this is the major method of Proverbs). Verses 19-21 and 28-29 have a similar theme: don't stress over the wicked; their prosperity is temporary because God will judge them and wipe out their gains. Therefore don't take vengeance on them, that's God's job, and He can do it better than we can. For the same reason, one should fear God and the king, and not hang around with the rebellious, lest you share in their judgment.
24:23-26.
These are also wise sayings: being righteous and just are the way to blessing. Even though at times one might encounter flack for being so, it's the right way to go. Honesty is the best policy, and eventually results in blessing rather than cursing. Being wise (having the right objective and the right means of attaining it) might mean being purposeful and discrete in one's communication, knowing the acceptable time to say or not say something. In a culture that rewards deceit, finding an honest person is a delight, although the culture won't appreciate him/her.
24:27.
This verse deserves special mention, since so many have found it useful for planning. The initial application is to not build a house until you know the land is productive, otherwise you'll have a house you can't support, and you've wasted the effort in building it. The secondary application is to develop the means of supporting a family before you start one. Since finances are one of the top things that divide married couples, developing the skills and income necessary to support a family help eliminate stresses down the road.
Application
Fearing God avoids judgment; Following wisdom avoids pain.
Prayer
Lord, thanks that You do make clear the paths You want Your servants to take; may I have the grace to walk in them. Amen.
Hosea 10-14 Reaping A Righteous Relationship with God
God opened His case against Israel in 4:1 - ”Hear the word of Yahweh, you children of Israel; for Yahweh has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "Indeed there is no faithfulness, nor hesed/loyal covenantal love, nor knowledge of God in the land.”He then elaborated upon their lack of knowledge of Him in chapters 4 and 5, and began to detail their lack of loyalty/hesed in chapter 6, which he continued to chapter 11. In chapters 12 and 13, He will summarize their unfaithfulness, and issue yet another call for repentance in the last chapter. Throughout the indictment, God warns of judgment and offers incentives to return to Him. He promises to prevent their total annihilation, and resettle and replant His people in the promised land after their discipline. If you're short on time, make sure you get to the last chapter and see God's offer of forgiveness (14:2) and requirement for the forgiven (14:9 the last verse of the book).Hosea 10 Sow Righteousness and Reap Hesed
1.Israel is a luxuriant vine that puts forth his fruit. According to the abundance of his fruit he has multiplied his altars. As their land has prospered, they have adorned their sacred stones.2.Their heart is divided. Now they will be found guilty. He will demolish their altars. He will destroy their sacred stones.3.Then they will say, “We have no king because we did not fear the LORD. But even if we had a king, what could he do for us?” (NIV)4.They make promises, swearing falsely in making covenants. Therefore judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field.5.The inhabitants of Samaria will be in terror for the calves of Beth Aven; for its people will mourn over it, Along with its priests who rejoiced over it, for its glory, because it has departed from it.6.It also will be carried to Assyria for a present to a great king. Ephraim will receive shame, and Israel will be ashamed of his own counsel.7.Samaria and her king float away, like a twig on the water.8.The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed. The thorn and the thistle will come up on their altars. They will tell the mountains, "Cover us!" and the hills, "Fall on us!"9."Israel, you have sinned from the days of Gibeah. There they remained. The battle against the children of iniquity doesn’t overtake them in Gibeah.10.When it is my desire, I will chastise them; and the nations will be gathered against them, when they are bound to/for their two transgressions.11.Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh; so I will put a yoke on her beautiful neck. I will set a rider on Ephraim. Judah will plow. Jacob will break his clods.12.Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to hesed/loyal covenantal love. Break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek Yahweh, until he comes and rains righteousness on you.13.You have plowed wickedness. You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, for you trusted in your way, in the multitude of your mighty men.14.Therefore a battle roar will arise among your people, and all your fortresses will be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth Arbel in the day of battle. The mother was dashed in pieces with her children.15.So Bethel will do to you because of your great wickedness. At daybreak the king of Israel will be destroyed.Observations
10:1-8.God continues His indictment of His people for they are not only unfaithful to their covenant with Him (no hesed), but also each other. Their heart is divided/disloyal. They do not wholeheartedly fear and seek Him, but seek the pleasures of indulging in sensual pagan worship instead. “Beth Aven” means “house of vanity” and is a reference to the center of golden calf worship in Bethel that Jeroboam set up. The pagan altars will be destroyed and the people and their idols carried off to Assyria.
10:9-15.
Gibeah was the low point of the days of Judges (Jdg 19-20). The two transgressions might be the two calves in Bethel and Dan, but it is more likely, in light of the inclusion of Judah (who didn't go to either place to worship) to refer to the twin evils of forsaking of God and then worshiping idols (Jer 2:13). God exhorts them to sow righteousness and they will reap hesed; rather than sowing wickedness (hypocritical disobedience – Ps 50) and reaping iniquity/judgment. If they seek Yahweh, He will come and rain righteousness and blessing on them. But instead they will trust in their own ability to defend themselves, and therefore not fear God nor pay attention to His words. That behavior will result in destruction of both what they trust in, and themselves.
Application
Since you'll reap what you sow, what are you purposefully sowing? How do you sow righteousness?
Prayer
God, may I do the things that You've commanded, and the things that please You, and demonstrate my trust in You, knowing that You will respond with loyally loving and protecting me. Thanks for being faithful. Amen.
Hosea 11 Refusing to Repent
1."When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.2.They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved images.3.Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by his arms; but they didn’t know that I healed them.4.I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him.5."They won’t return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent.6.The sword will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.7.My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won’t exalt them.8."How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.9.I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy one in the midst of you; and I will not come in wrath.10.They will walk after Yahweh, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west.11.They will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses," says Yahweh.12.Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy one.Observations
11:1-7.In bringing His indictment for unfaithfulness (lack of loyalty/hesed) to a close, God recounts His calling and care of Israel from Egypt to the present, but His love is not requited. He cared for them even as they worshiped other gods, yet they failed to respond. They refused to repent, and were determined to turn from Him. Obviously God wanted them to repent, and they had the ability to do so, but they chose to exercise their free will to refuse. Therefore God gave them the consequences of that choice; He would not exalt them, nor answer when they called, but would deliver them to Assyria for discipline.
11:8-12. God won't totally destroy His people because His anger is not that of a man. A mere human would be finished with a relationship with Israel. But the Holy one, will exercise His judgment on the earth/nations (roar like a lion), and bring some back out of judgment, and settle them back in the land. The grace God displays is highlighted by the nation's current unfaithfulness and refusal to be loyal.
Application
Refusing to repent from our own way and return to the God who so graciously loves and cares for us is beyond stupid and suicidal.
Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father, thanks for life, and the life You've given me; thanks for protecting me from evils I wasn't even aware of, and at times, from myself; thanks for having compassion on my sin and still wanting a relationship with me; may I respond to Your loyal love by loyally loving You for the rest of my life. Amen.
Hosea 12 Lesson from Jacob
1.Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.2.Yahweh also has a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him.3.In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he contended with God.4.Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us,5.even Yahweh, the God of Hosts; Yahweh is his name of renown!6.Therefore turn to your God. Keep hesed/loyal covenantal love and justice, and wait continually for your God.7.A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.8.Ephraim said, "Surely I have become rich, I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won’t find in me any iniquity that is sin."9."But I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.10.I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.11.If Gilead is wicked, surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Indeed, their altars are like heaps in the furrows of the field.12.Jacob fled into the country of Aram, and Israel served to get a wife, and for a wife he tended flocks and herds.13.By a prophet Yahweh brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.14.Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger. Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his Lord will repay his contempt.Observations
12:1-6.God starts to conclude His case against His people by highlighting their lack of faithfulness. He reminds them of who He is (since they seem to have forgotten), and His plans. God will justly pay back people for what they do. He compares the nation to Jacob who struggled against God, yet, God spoke with him at Bethel (the place where Israel worshiped Baal) and made a covenant with him (and blessed him). Therefore his descendents should exhibit hesed/loyal covenantal love and wait for God to bless them (as He did Jacob). God exhorts them to turn to Him and keep hesed and justice.
12:7-14.
God reproves Ephraim for unjust ill-gotten gain, which he deceives himself into thinking has no consequences. God reminds the nation that He has been their God since Egypt who brought them out from their affliction, by the words of a prophet, where they dwelt in tents (Feast of Booths/Tabernacles/Sukkot) and gave them memorial feasts. He will again gather them, by the words of His prophets, even though they despise them.
Application
Where would you be if God had not intervened in Your life? Where will you be if you don't respond to Him?
Prayer
God, thanks for the abundance of Your revelation about what You want, and what is in my best interest; help me live justly, faithfully, and loyally as I await the fulfillment of Your sure promises. Thanks again. Amen.
Hosea 13 No Other God, Nor Savior, Nor Shepherd
1.When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling. He exalted himself in Israel, but when he became guilty in Baal, he died.2.Now they sin more and more, and have made themselves molten images of their silver, even idols according to their own understanding, all of them the work of the craftsmen. They say of them, ‘They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves.’3.Therefore they will be like the morning mist, and like the dew that passes away early, like the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing floor, and like the smoke out of the chimney.4."Yet I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt; and you shall acknowledge no god but me, and besides me there is no savior.5.I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.6.According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted. Therefore they have forgotten me.7.Therefore I am like a lion to them. Like a leopard, I will lurk by the path.8.I will meet them like a bear that is bereaved of her cubs, and will tear the covering of their heart. There I will devour them like a lioness. The wild animal will tear them.9.You are destroyed, Israel, because you are against me, against your help.10.Where is your king now, that he may save you in all your cities? And your judges, of whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes?’11.I have given you a king in my anger, and have taken him away in my wrath.12.The guilt of Ephraim is stored up. His sin is stored up.13.The sorrows of a travailing woman will come on him. He is an unwise son; for when it is time, he doesn’t come to the opening of the womb.14.I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death! Death, where are your plagues? Sheol, where is your destruction? "Compassion will be hidden from my eyes.15.Though he is fruitful among his brothers, an east wind will come, the breath of Yahweh coming up from the wilderness; and his spring will become dry, and his fountain will be dried up. He will plunder the storehouse of treasure.16.Samaria will bear her guilt; for she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women will be ripped open."Observations
13:1-8.Israel was once feared by other nations, but because of their sin of idolatry in worshiping Baal, lost power. They will evaporate like a morning mist. Yet God reminds them that there is no God nor Savior but Yahweh, and one day they will acknowledge that reality. He knew/loved them in the wilderness, guided them to pasture as a good shepherd. Yet when their needs were met, they exalted themselves and rebelled against Him. Therefore He will be like a destructive beast of prey against them.
13:9-16.
Israel will be destroyed by their own decision to rebel against God, their help, a breach of covenant faithfulness (hesed). Rebellion and idol worship are the antithesis of faithfulness to God, breaking the first commandment given at Sinai. God will give them the stored up punishment for their sin, yet will rescue them from total annihilation.
Application
Being conscious every day of our dependence upon God will keep us from rebelling and spare us from the consequences of such stupid sin.
Prayer
My Lord, there is no God nor Savior, nor Shepherd besides You; show me where I might be straying in my loyalty to You, and thanks for granting the grace to turn back to You. Amen.
Hosea 14 The Forgiven Walk in Righteous Ways
1.Israel, return to Yahweh your God; for you have fallen because of your sin.2.Take words with you, and return to Yahweh. Tell him, "Forgive all our sins, and accept that which is good: so we offer our lips like bulls.3.Assyria can’t save us. We won’t ride on horses; neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ‘Our gods!’ for in you the fatherless finds mercy."4."I will heal their waywardness. I will love them freely; for my anger is turned away from him.5.I will be like the dew to Israel. He will blossom like the lily, and send down his roots like Lebanon.6.His branches will spread, and his beauty will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon.7.Men will dwell in his shade. They will revive like the grain, and blossom like the vine. Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.8.Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols? I answer, and will take care of him. I am like a green fir tree; from me your fruit is found."9.Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of Yahweh are right, and the righteous walk in them; But the rebellious stumble in them.Observation
14:1-8.After multiple chapters of outlining their sin, God continues to demonstrate His grace by calling His people to repentance. He even gives them the words to say in verses 2-3. If they repent and forsake their sinful ways, He will heal them and pour out His love and blessings upon them. He will exalt them to preeminent status. The wise will acknowledge that God's ways are right and will walk in them to prosperity; the rebellious will reject them and stumble into punishment.
Application
Accept God's gracious offer to repent from doing your thing, and decide to walk in His ways rather than your own.
Prayer
God, Your graciousness and loyalty to Your people is incredible! Thanks that You do pardon when we repent; may I be wise and walk in Your ways all of my days. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God displays incredible love, grace, and patience towards His people, even as they rebel and refuse to acknowledge Him. He refuses to totally abandon them, even though they abandon Him. He judges sin, sometimes terrifyingly, but holds the door open for the repentant to come back to Him, and live on His terms. Then He will bless according to His hesed/covenantal loyalty. He can't bless those who are disloyal to Him, for that would be a violation of the covenant (an inconvenient truth ignored by those who ignore God in their daily lives).Us in a nutshell: We will reap the consequences of our actions, for good or bad. We have free will to accept or reject God, to rebel and reap punishment, or repent and reap blessing. The choice is ours, and God urges us to make the wise one. Those who seek God's forgiveness should walk in His wise ways, or suffer the consequences of straying.