REFLECTIONS ON HOSEA 9
Today, we study the Book of Hosea Chapter Nine, where the PERSISTENT UNFAITHFULNESS as well as the consequences of Israel’s IDOLATORY were declared.
REFLECTION:
“SIN IS A DISGRACE TO ANY PEOPLE”
Key Scripture
“The days of PUNISHMENT have come; the days of RECOMPENSE have come. Israel knows.”
(Hosea 9: 7)
Israel committed Idolatory PERSISTENTLY.
Hence, the people paid dearly, being punished by Almighty God through captivity in Egypt and Assyria.
Lessons
No other gods
Idolatory is UNACCEPTABLE – It is INSULTING to Almighty God.
Modern idols
In these contemporary days, Idolatory is WORSE & SUBTLE
The new idols include:
1. LOVE OF MONEY
2. POSITION/GLORY
3. VALUE SYSTEM
4. SELF
Sin is a reproach
Righteousness exalts a nation, but “SIN IS A DISGRACE” to any people. (Proverbs 14:34)
Conclusion
Divine chastisement is real.
If Israel did not escape the DISCIPLINE of Jehovah, we are well advised to learn from their experience.
PRAYER
Father, we pray that you grant us the grace for FAITHFULNESS & CONTENTMENT in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.
Thoughts on Hosea 10
Hosea 10:12 NKJV
“Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord, Till He comes and rain’s righteousness on you”
In summary, today’s chapter is a timely call for every child of God to watch over his/her heart and over his/her spiritual life. Sin usually begins gradually in a subtle way, but its effect is usually devastating.
The reality of this is brought to fore in Hosea chapter 10, where ten reasons are highlighted for the destruction of Ephraim, and ten judgements are prophesied against them.
The blessing of God is intended to enrich us without adding sorrow (Prov 10:22), but for Ephraim, the more fruitful their vines were, the more they pursued other interests outside of their God who gave the increase.
Reasons For Their Destruction
– bringing forth fruit to himself
– making many altars
– making many images
– a divided heart
– No fear of God
– swearing falsely
– sodomy
– idolatry
– wickedness
– Trusting in his own way and in the multitude of mighty men.
Judgements Against Ephraim
– altars broken down
– images destroyed
– Kingdom destroyed
– shame and disgrace
– destruction of high places of sin
Thorns and thistles on altars
– misery until they plead to die
– war and defeat
– Reaping iniquity
– destruction of fortresses
In spite of this, God assures of a way of escape for His people, if only they will seek Him. Brethren, Herein lies the crux of the matter. We must determine to make God our endless pursuit.
Not silver, not gold, or deceitfulness of riches, which the devil flashes before our eyes to distract from running the race that is set before us. This is our individual responsibility.
In seeking God, we must do the following:
1. Sow to yourselves in righteousness: stop sinning and start doing what is right in all things. (Gal 6:7-9)
2. Reaping in mercy: accept and appropriate the mercy of God extended to us. If we do not accept mercy from God, it will not be ours.
3. Break up your fallow ground: a fallow ground is that which has been ploughed but not sown; a ground not in use; an idle ground which has become crusted over and hardened until it needs to be broken up again to receive seed.
Our hearts and wills must be broken and yielded to God. We must make ourselves willing to receive the Word of God and obey it, or else seeking Him will not avail us anything (Matt 13:3-12, 18-23).
There are no timelines to seeking God. We must continue…..until He comes and rains righteousness upon us. Maranatha🙏
