Today as we look at the scriptures I would ask that you read each line and meditate momentarily on it. God is PO-ed big time at the people of Israel. After all HE has done for them, yet the way they treat him.
Oh, wow, often we can look in the mirror and say the same thing. Look how we treat God on a daily, weekly, monthly, even yearly basis. When all is going well it is us; BUT, when times get hard then......Oh, LORD, please help me. Read and think.
Here is some history to remember before you read verses 4-9: Jeroboam I rebelled against Solomon's son Rehoboam and set up a rival kingdom in the north and he set up his own religious system (1 Kings 12:25-33)
NOW---- Read and think.
Hosea 5:5-12 New International Version
5 Israel’s arrogance testifies against them; the Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble in their sin;
Judah also stumbles with them. (Pride is part of their downfall; even the once faithful Judah will fall)
6 When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, they will not find him;
he has withdrawn himself from them. (When they offer sacrifices God will not accept them)
7 They are unfaithful to the Lord; they give birth to illegitimate children. When they celebrate their New Moon feasts, he will devour their fields. (Fell away from God and lived immorally)
Judah also stumbles with them. (Pride is part of their downfall; even the once faithful Judah will fall)
6 When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, they will not find him;
he has withdrawn himself from them. (When they offer sacrifices God will not accept them)
7 They are unfaithful to the Lord; they give birth to illegitimate children. When they celebrate their New Moon feasts, he will devour their fields. (Fell away from God and lived immorally)
8 “Sound the trumpet in Gibeah, the horn in Ramah.Raise the battle cry in Beth Aven; lead on, Benjamin. (Hosea prophesied that these cities, Gibeah and Ramah, would sound the alarm of the coming judgment)
9 Ephraim will be laid waste on the day of reckoning.Among the tribes of Israel I proclaim what is certain. (Ephraim [Israel] will be no more due to their disobedience to God)
10 Judah’s leaders are like those who move boundary stones. I will pour out my wrath on them like a flood of water. (move boundary stones refers to changing the plot or size of the land, essentially stealing more land - aka thieves)11 Ephraim is oppressed, trampled in judgment, intent on pursuing idols.
12 I am like a moth to Ephraim, like rot to the people of Judah. (This refers to what a moth will do to wool and Judah will be as rotten wood, stinks and deteriorates) You can tell that GOD is angry at his people. Today, you and I are HIS people. Are we angering God? If so, need we not repent? We allow our leaders to make decisions based on the clanging gong of a few; yet we, the majority, fail to stand up and be heard. By being silent we are as guilty as the clanging gong people. It is time to pray, ask for guidance, seeking GOD with all we have, and stand up for JESUS!! Thanks for reading. Love you all.In Christ's Love and GraceJohnny
9 Ephraim will be laid waste on the day of reckoning.Among the tribes of Israel I proclaim what is certain. (Ephraim [Israel] will be no more due to their disobedience to God)
10 Judah’s leaders are like those who move boundary stones. I will pour out my wrath on them like a flood of water. (move boundary stones refers to changing the plot or size of the land, essentially stealing more land - aka thieves)11 Ephraim is oppressed, trampled in judgment, intent on pursuing idols.
12 I am like a moth to Ephraim, like rot to the people of Judah. (This refers to what a moth will do to wool and Judah will be as rotten wood, stinks and deteriorates) You can tell that GOD is angry at his people. Today, you and I are HIS people. Are we angering God? If so, need we not repent? We allow our leaders to make decisions based on the clanging gong of a few; yet we, the majority, fail to stand up and be heard. By being silent we are as guilty as the clanging gong people. It is time to pray, ask for guidance, seeking GOD with all we have, and stand up for JESUS!! Thanks for reading. Love you all.In Christ's Love and GraceJohnny
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