![[object Object]](https://d20cai2bqfzz6a.cloudfront.net/images/main_image/shutterstock_111492056_relationship_copy_1454429974_7.png)
Hosea 5-9
Call to
Relationship
Psalm 106:1-21 Don't Forget to Wait for It
1.“Praise Yahweh! Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his hesed/loyal covenantal love endures forever.2.Who can utter the mighty acts of Yahweh, or fully declare all his praise?3.Blessed are those who keep justice. Blessed is one who does what is right at all times.4.Remember me, Yahweh, with the favor that you show to your people. Visit me with your salvation,5.that I may see the prosperity of your chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.6.We have sinned with our fathers. We have committed iniquity. We have done wickedly.7.Our fathers didn’t understand your wonders in Egypt. They didn’t remember the multitude of your hesed/loyal covenantal love, but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.8.Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power known.9.He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up; so he led them through the depths, as through a desert.10.He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.11.The waters covered their adversaries. There was not one of them left.12.Then they believed his words. They sang his praise.
13.They soon forgot his works. They didn’t wait for his counsel,14.but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the wasteland.
15.He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.
16.They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron, Yahweh’s saint.17.The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.18.A fire was kindled in their company. The flame burned up the wicked.19.They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped a molten image.20.Thus they exchanged their glory for an image of a bull that eats grass.21.They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt,
Observations
106:1-5.This psalm gives a concise history of Israel, from Egypt to Captivity, and back. We'll revisit the last half in the future. The psalm opens with praise of the God who is good, and blesses covenant faithfulness, so His people can rejoice.
106:6-12.
Unfortunately, the nation didn't remember His goodness to them and rebelled, but He saved, redeemed and delivered them from their enemy (Egypt) for His name's sake. Then they believed and sung His praise, but it didn't last.
106:13-15.
These verses are particularly applicable to the “me generation,” hooked on their immediate gratification. Forgetting what God did and promised, they let their lusts rule their lives, and God let them have the consequence of their choice, sending leanness to their souls. That means they weren't able to enjoy having what they got. Solomon says God only gives that ability to those who are good in His sight (Ecc 2:24-26). And those who don't wait for God to give what's best when it's best, aren't good in His sight.
106:16-21.
In addition to forgetfulness and lust, we have envy and pride, which reap God's just punishment.
Application
Being mindful of God's goodness, hesed, and promises, enables us to wait for Him to fulfill our desires, giving what's best, when it's best.
Prayer
My Lord and Savior, I will not forget Your goodness, but dependently wait for You to provide what's best when it's best. Amen.
Proverbs 24:15-18 The Righteous Rise Again and Again and...
15.“Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place:16.for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.17.Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;18.lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.“Observation
24:15-18.The author warns against the futility of seeking to destroy the righteous, because they will rise again. The righteous have their down days, but are not overthrown by them, because they are not defeated by set-backs. The righteous have a divine purpose and resources to learn from their mistakes and get back on track. The wicked are overthrown by calamity because the Lord brings judgment against them. However, when the wicked are being judged, the righteous shouldn't gloat because that might displease the Lord and He will lighten up on the discipline to teach them a lesson.
Application
If you find yourself down, you're not out nor defeated if you get back up and keep trying.
Prayer
Lord, when I fall, pull me back up so I can continue walking with You; don't let me ever lose perspective and quit. Thanks for being there. Amen.
Hosea 5-9 Call to Relationship
In Chapter 5 God continues to elaborate on the charge of ignorance (see last post on chapter 4), then turns His attention to the major indictment of disloyalty or lack of hesed/covenantal loyalty and love. He enumerates sin, announces impending judgment, and calls His people to repent and seek Him. If they seek Him, they will find Him. If they persist in their sin, they will find pain and judgment, and God will hide Himself from them until they acknowledge their sin and seek Him earnestly, which will happen in the future.
Hosea 5 Attack Lion and Son
1."Listen to this, you priests! Listen, house of Israel, and give ear, house of the king! For the judgment is against you; for you have been a snare at Mizpah, and a net spread on Tabor.2.The rebels are deep in slaughter; but I discipline all of them.3.I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me; for now, Ephraim, you have played the prostitute. Israel is defiled.4.Their deeds won’t allow them to turn to their God; for the spirit of prostitution is within them, and they don’t know Yahweh.5.The pride of Israel testifies to his face. Therefore Israel and Ephraim will stumble in their iniquity. Judah also will stumble with them.6.They will go with their flocks and with their herds to seek Yahweh; but they won’t find him. He has withdrawn himself from them.7.They are unfaithful to Yahweh; for they have borne illegitimate children. Now the new moon will devour them with their fields.8."Blow the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah! Sound a battle cry at Beth Aven, behind you, Benjamin!9.Ephraim will become a desolation in the day of rebuke. Among the tribes of Israel, I have made known that which will surely be.10.The princes of Judah are like those who remove a landmark. I will pour out my wrath on them like water.11.Ephraim is oppressed, he is crushed in judgment; Because he is intent in his pursuit of idols.12.Therefore I am to Ephraim like a moth, and to the house of Judah like rottenness.13."When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, then Ephraim went to Assyria, and sent to king Jareb: but he is not able to heal you, neither will he cure you of your wound.14.For I will be to Ephraim like a lion, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I myself will tear in pieces and go away. I will carry off, and there will be no one to deliver.15.I will go and return to my place, until they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face. In their affliction they will seek me earnestly."
Observations
5:1-7.Ephraim is a term frequently used for backsliding Israel. Here God rebukes the priests, princes and people for their ignorance of Him and resultant idolatry. Mizpah and Tabor were high places where sensual pagan worship so ensnared them that they couldn't turn to God. In their pride Israel and Judah will stumble, and when they try to seek God, they won't find Him, because He has hidden Himself from their idolatrous prostitution (which is not hidden from His sight). All they will find is judgment.
5:8-15.
God will pour out His wrath on those who are intent on their pursuit of things other than a dependent relationship with Him, whether it's sensuous pagan worship for pleasure, or trust in Assyria for protection. He will be like an attack lion to Ephraim, and a slightly less devastating younger lion to Judah. Then He will abandon them until they acknowledge their offenses and seek His face.
Application
Confession and repentance are the way to find God, even when we have forsaken Him and are being judged for our sin. It's never too late to do the right thing.
Prayer
Gracious God, may I be quick to acknowledge my sin, rebellion, independence, self-centeredness, pride, and anything else that would cause You to want to abandon and judge me. Amen.
Hosea 6 Knowing God
1."Come, and let us return to Yahweh; for he has torn us to pieces, and he will heal us; he has injured us, and he will bind up our wounds.2.After two days he will revive us. On the third day he will raise us up, and we will live before him.3.Let us acknowledge Yahweh. Let us press on to know Yahweh. As surely as the sun rises, Yahweh will appear. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain that waters the earth."4."Ephraim, what shall I do to you? Judah, what shall I do to you? For your love is like a morning cloud, and like the dew that disappears early.5.Therefore I have cut them to pieces with the prophets; I killed them with the words of my mouth. Your judgments are like a flash of lightning.6.For I desire hesed/covenantal loyalty, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.7.But they, like Adam, have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful to me, there.8.Gilead is a city of those who work iniquity; it is stained with blood.9.As gangs of robbers wait to ambush a man, so the company of priests murder in the way toward Shechem, committing shameful crimes.10.In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing. There is prostitution in Ephraim. Israel is defiled.11."Also, Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you, when I restore the fortunes of my people.Observations
6:1-3.In the last verse of the previous chapter (5:15) God said He would abandon Israel and return His place/home until Israel acknowledged their sin and sought His face. This chapter opens with an exhortation for the nation to return to God (after two days), who would revive, heal and restore (regather) them so they might live in His presence on the third day. The wording of acknowledging Him (as their God), His return to them (as His people), and reception of His covenanted blessings (rain), echo the major prophets' description of restoration in the Millennial kingdom.
6:4-11.
The last half of the chapter combines God's requirements of both hesed/loyal covenantal love, and knowledge of Him, serving as hinge between the previous chapters and the bulk of the book (cf 4:1). God doesn't want ritual sacrifices, He wants His people's hearts. Like Adam, they broke the covenant (failed to faithfully obey what God said), and are not only unfaithful to Yahweh, but have failed to be righteous and just in their dealings with each other. However, the chapter ends on a note of hope, despite their sin, God will restore the fortunes of His people and bless them as He planned (when they obey). This has not yet happened so those who believe God meant what He said, await the fulfillment of this promise in the future, probably in the Millennial kingdom.
Application
Knowing God (as He's revealed Himself in His word) takes effort, but is worth far more than any amount of ritual, resulting in an intimate relationship and blessing. See: Barriers to Intimacy with God on Truthbase.net
Prayer
God, I will press on to know You intimately: Your awesome character, Your plans and purposes, Your guiding Lordship, Your sustaining grace, Your delightful presence, Your likes and dislikes, and Your protection, prosperity, and blessing; don't let me settle for less. Amen.
Hosea 7 Useful as a Half-Baked Pancake
1.When I would heal Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered, also the wickedness of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the thief enters in, and the gang of robbers ravages outside.2.They don’t consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. Now their own deeds have engulfed them. They are before my face.3.They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.4.They are all adulterers. They are burning like an oven that the baker stops stirring, from the kneading of the dough, until it is leavened.5.On the day of our king, the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine. He joined his hand with mockers.6.For they have prepared their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait. Their baker sleeps all the night. In the morning it burns as a flaming fire.7.They are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges. All their kings have fallen. There is no one among them who calls to me.8.Ephraim, he mixes himself among the nations. Ephraim is a pancake not turned over.9.Strangers have devoured his strength, and he doesn’t realize it. Indeed, gray hairs are here and there on him, and he doesn’t realize it.10.The pride of Israel testifies to his face; yet they haven’t returned to Yahweh their God, nor sought him, for all this.11."Ephraim is like an easily deceived dove, without understanding. They call to Egypt. They go to Assyria.12.When they go, I will spread my net on them. I will bring them down like the birds of the sky. I will chastise them, as their congregation has heard.13.Woe to them! For they have wandered from me. Destruction to them! For they have trespassed against me. Though I would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against me.14.They haven’t cried to me with their heart, but they howl on their beds. They assemble themselves for grain and new wine. They turn away from me.15.Though I have taught and strengthened their arms, yet they plot evil against me.16.They return, but not to the Most High. They are like a faulty bow. Their princes will fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue. This will be their derision in the land of Egypt.Observations
7:1-7.God wants to heal His people but they are so intent on the burning passion of their sin, that they would be consumed by it. Evildoers have no fear of God, not even considering that an omniscient and omnipresent God sees and remembers all. And if that God is also just and holy, He must punish evil.
7:8-16.
Israel is so pridefully deceived by their desires, that they don't turn to God when disciplined, but look to Assyria, Egypt and their own escapist sin for comfort. They will only find additional judgment. The unturned pancake reference is to being useless, which echos their “mixed” (unholy) status from failing to be separate from the nations. God wants to redeem them, but they lie about their repentance and don't return to Him, so only judgment awaits.
Application
Those who fear God, keep themselves from sin, and call to Him for help when tempted.
Prayer
God, please keep me from missing the obvious, and help me see the realities of how You operate in the world, and what You require of me; may You be my sole source of delight. Amen.
Hosea 8 Reaping the Whirlwind
1."Put the trumpet to your lips! Something like an eagle is over Yahweh’s house, because they have broken my covenant, and rebelled against my law.2.They cry to me, ‘My God, we Israel acknowledge you!’3.Israel has cast off that which is good. The enemy will pursue him.4.They have set up kings, but not by me. They have made princes, and I didn’t approve. Of their silver and their gold they have made themselves idols, that they may be cut off.5.Let Samaria throw out his calf idol! My anger burns against them! How long will it be until they are capable of purity?6.For this is even from Israel! The workman made it, and it is no God; indeed, the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.7.For they sow the wind, and they will reap the whirlwind. He has no standing grain. The stalk will yield no head. If it does yield, strangers will swallow it up.8.Israel is swallowed up. Now they are among the nations like a worthless thing.9.For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has hired lovers for himself.10.But although they sold themselves among the nations, I will now gather them; and they begin to waste away because of the oppression of the king of mighty ones.11.Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning, they became for him altars for sinning.12.I wrote for him the many things of my law; but they were regarded as a strange thing.13.As for the sacrifices of my offerings, they sacrifice flesh and eat it; But Yahweh doesn’t accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity, and punish their sins. They will return to Egypt.14.For Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces; and Judah has multiplied fortified cities; but I will send a fire on his cities, and it will devour its fortresses."Observations
8:1-7.Because Israel broke the covenant and cast off the law that God gave them to obey, judgment is coming like an eagle swooping down on its prey. They pay God lip service, but have done their own thing, from choosing their own leaders (rather than seeking God's choices) to making idols. Therefore God will reap judgment (whirlwind) rather than grain, because they planted the worthless wind, rather than covenantal loyalty and obedience (hesed).
8:8-14.
God will bring fire upon their cities and fortresses because they have relied on them and other nations rather than their Maker. They regarded the law as something strange rather than the joy and delight of their heart (for it is in the law that God reveals Himself). God will remember their sin and regard them with disdain to destroy them.
Application
Those who reject God's law/revelation reject God, and bring upon themselves ruin.
Prayer
God, You've made me and given me Your word, so I can obey it and You can bless me as promised; help me keep that in the forefront of my thinking so I don't forget what life is about, and wind up reaping the judgment You've promised. Thanks. Amen.
Hosea 9 Reaping Judgment Rather than Rejoicing
1.Don’t rejoice, Israel, to jubilation like the nations; for you were unfaithful to your God. You love the wages of a prostitute at every grain threshing floor.2.The threshing floor and the winepress won’t feed them, and the new wine will fail her.3.They won’t dwell in Yahweh’s land; but Ephraim will return to Egypt, and they will eat unclean food in Assyria.4.They won’t pour out wine offerings to Yahweh, neither will they be pleasing to him. Their sacrifices will be to them like the bread of mourners; all who eat of it will be polluted; for their bread will be for their appetite. It will not come into the house of Yahweh.5.What will you do in the day of solemn assembly, and in the day of the feast of Yahweh?6.For, behold, they have gone away from destruction. Egypt will gather them up. Memphis will bury them. Nettles will possess their pleasant things of silver. Thorns will be in their tents.7.The days of visitation have come. The days of reckoning have come. Israel will consider the prophet to be a fool, and the man who is inspired to be insane, because of the abundance of your sins, and because your hostility is great.8.A prophet watches over Ephraim with my God. A fowler’s snare is on all of his paths, and hostility in the house of his God.9.They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their iniquity. He will punish them for their sins.10.I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the fig tree at its first season; but they came to Baal Peor, and consecrated themselves to the shameful thing, and became abominable like that which they loved.11.As for Ephraim, their glory will fly away like a bird. There will be no birth, none with child, and no conception.12.Though they bring up their children, yet I will bereave them, so that not a man shall be left. Indeed, woe also to them when I depart from them!13.I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place; but Ephraim will bring out his children to the murderer.14.Give them—Yahweh what will you give? Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.15."All their wickedness is in Gilgal; for there I hated them. Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of my house! I will love them no more. All their princes are rebels.16.Ephraim is struck. Their root has dried up. They will bear no fruit. Even though they bring forth, yet I will kill the beloved ones of their womb."17.My God will cast them away, because they did not listen to him; and they will be wanderers among the nations.Observations
9:1-6.Because Israel has been unfaithful to God, He will not let them stay in His land, which is in accord with the covenant He made with them (Deuteronomy especially chapter 28). They will return to the captive conditions of Egypt. Their sacrifices weren't pleasing to Yahweh, so rather than rejoicing in God as He desired, they will be mourners.
9:7-17.
The days when God visits them with judgment are about to come. They consider the prophets fools, and those who speak God's word to be insane, because their deliberate sin has so corrupted them. God will punish them for their sin, bring covenantal cursing upon them, a lack of fertility, joy, and life. Their glory/dominion will depart, and God Himself will leave them. He will hate them and love them no more. Love and hate are covenantal terms as seen in Genesis 26:27. To love is to have a covenantal relationship and to hate is to refuse to have covenantal dealings with someone. Since Israel won't listen to God (and abide by His words) there can be no relationship with Him. They will reap the consequences of their choices.
Genesis 26:24 And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham's sake." 25 So he built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD, and he pitched his tent there; and there Isaac's servants dug a well. 26 Then Abimelech came to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath, one of his friends, and Phichol the commander of his army. 27 And Isaac said to them, "Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?" 28 But they said, "We have certainly seen that the LORD is with you. So we said, 'Let there now be an oath between us, between you and us; and let us make a covenant with you, 29 that you will do us no harm, since we have not touched you, and since we have done nothing to you but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the LORD.' " 30 So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank. 31 Then they arose early in the morning and swore an oath with one another; and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.
Application
Rejoicing in the wrong things (teaching ourselves to like what isn't good for us) results in a corrupted value system which prevents us from being able to do what results in real and enduring joy.
Prayer
Lord, may loving You wholeheartedly be my greatest delight, and serving You with all my strength my desire; may there be no room in my heart for sin. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God calls people into a relationship with Him, but if they reject Him, He will reject them. He will let them reap the consequences of their actions until they return to their senses (if ever). He will hide Himself from those who hide themselves from His law, which He gave so they could have a relationship with Him. Although He summons people to repentance, when they refuse He cannot justly have a covenantal relationship with them, and has to bring the promised cursing rather than blessing upon them. He has plans to eventually regather Israel and live in covenantal relationship (hesed) with them.Us in a nutshell: We can be deceived by sin to the point where we can't find our way back home. Rejoicing in the wrong things (teaching ourselves to like what isn't good for us) results in a corrupted value system which prevents us from being able to do what results in real and enduring joy. When we acknowledge our sins, and God's right to rule our lives we can re-establish the relationship with Him that our infidelity and disloyalty broke. If we don't repent, He will break us. If we fear God, and pay attention to His word, He will bless us. If we choose to do our own thing, He will curse us.