Hosea 7 - The response of Jehovah to Ephraim (begins at 6:4)

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Well, Hosea is quite an interesting book.  We are now in chapter 7, which is a continuation of chapter 6 verse 4 with God's response. Here is Hosea 7.  

   I will do just summaries and you can read the chapter and verses as we go.

Beginning, God sees and knows everything that Ephraim (Israel) has done. They are sinning greatly with no remorse.  The people carry on as if no one is watching, but God sees all.

   Verse 6 "hey have made ready their heart like an oven"  is referring to their lust for power. Verse 7 -  have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen -  Three Israelite kings were assassinated during Hosea's lifetime - Zechariah, Shallum, and Pekahiah.  They ignored God and his word resulting in doom for them.

  In Verse 8/9 God's people intermarried with foreign people and then began to live as the ways of the unbelievers.  The unbelievers became the pivotal point of Israel turning away from God.

  Verse 10 can relate to us as well:  ARROGANCE - turning away from God because they did not need HIS help.  Yep, the ole "I can do it myself".

   Verses 11-15 Speaks to the fact that Israel turns away from God and goes first to Egypt, then Assyria for help. Read these verses slowly and think about them. 

  God says they are as doves and HE will cast a net and bring them down.  HE will punish them for their evil, sorrow will come.  God wanted to redeem them but they spoke lies about Him.  When they cry out they are not sincere; just as the person who is caught doing wrong and then cries out-- not out of repentance but out of regret they were caught.  They turn to foreign gods to no avail. Verse 15 God says he trained them, made them strong, then they plot evil against Him.

  Verse 16 - They don't look to God; and the word says useless as a crooked bow.  A crooked bow will miss its target, leaving its owner open to harm in battle.  What Hosea is saying is LIFE WITHOUT GOD IS AS UNRELIABLE AS A CROOKED BOW.

   Without God's direction, our thoughts and life is filled with lust, cheating, selfishness, deceit, and totally wrapped in sin.  How, then, can we reach our potential?  By following and listening to God and HIS word.  Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny