Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN!
What I have just written above, often we take for granted - God is
good- and then we go on with the worries of the day and forget we are -
BLESSED!
Well, let us look at the contrast between Gomer and Israel and what God is saying. To read the first 13 verses click here on Hosea 2:1-13. To listen to Hosea 2:1-13 click here.
I am not going to list each verse here, but do a running commentary for
the first 13 verses. These verses deal with Israel's unfaithfulness.
Think of this as a trial where the prostitute (Israel or Gomer) is
presented and found guilty.
(verses 5-7). The
Israelites were thanking false gods (Baal) whom they believed was
responsible for their weather and favorable farming conditions. They
thanked Baal for their food shelter and clothing in lieu of thanking the
true and living God in heaven who truly had blessed them.
To help bring them to their senses God would "fence" Israel in with
thornbushes to block her path. How so? By making the rewards of idol
worship disappointing to the point the people would have to turn back to
God. Even though Israel was unfaithful to God, God still was faithful,
merciful and loving. His arms would be open wide to HIS wayward people.
This is as Gomer, who would return to her husband IF she thought she
would be BETTER OFF WITH HIM. How oft do we find this in our lives.
When things are going well, WE TAKE THE CREDIT, but, yes but---when
things turn south we call out to God for help, or possibly blame God. We should be calling out
to God daily, continuously for guidance and praising HIM in good times and
in bad times.
Verse 8 -
8 For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal.
So often in our society, in the world's societies, we measure success
with material possessions. God doesn’t condemn His people having
earthly possessions; but He does condemn when earthly possessions have
us. Colossians 3:2 says:
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
At this point Gomer does not realize that Homer had given her
everything, all she owned, just as God gave Israel all it had. Gomer
and Israel used their possessions irresponsibly. Wow! Wowsers! Does
this ring a bell with us in America? How we use our possessions
irresponsibly, give the children everything not making them work for
it? Having to have the finest and best of everything for our own
prestige? And whom do we give credit to? Yes, ourselves. How often
have you heard "no one gave me anything, I worked for all I have, and I
am a self made man (or woman)!! Oops!
Gomer ran after lovers; Israel ran after Baal and other false gods; what do you run after?
Verse 13 -
13 And
I will visit (punish)
upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them,
and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she
went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the Lord.
Baal was the most important god to the Canaanites and his name came to
be the generic name for all the false gods the people worshiped
throughout the land of Israel. The Israelites did not get rid of the
idols and pagan worship centers which is what God had commanded of them.
Does this ring a bell with us today? We tolerate and sometimes join in
with the "Baal" worship. Whether it be material possessions, failing
to speak up for God, or just not standing firm in our relationship with
Jesus Christ. A good example is the liberals are strong in pushing
their agendas, and we, as Christians, gather together to complain, yet
take no action.
We all should (1) Love God with agape love;
(2) love our neighbor as ourself; and (3) [in my opinion] forget
liberals, conservatives, republicans, democrats, and be a united front
for what God has placed before us in the Bible. ONE NATION UNDER GOD
once again. Thank you for reading. LORD, let us not be as Israel and
prostitute our belief in you. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny
No comments:
Post a Comment