23 May (Hosea 8-14)

Hosea 8

(v.4) This reminds us of the book of Judges, where the people rejected God as their king, and wanted to be like other nations and have their own human king. I fear that this country is like that, wanting to be like Europe, instead of having God as our King, with god-fearing people to represent us. ~ 1 Sam 8:6

(v.10) When a nation relies on other nations to rule them, we get chaos and disorder. Our leaders today want us to abide by international law and the United Nations, instead of our God-given Constitution. We are on a slippery slope to destruction if we don't elect God-fearing people to represent us!

(v.14) This all happens when we forget God. It's easy to get caught up in our work and weekly activities, but we must strive to include God in all these things. Not only does He do a better job at them, but we will make better decisions since we're walking with Him, not against Him!

Hosea 9

(v.5) Here we see another reference to the Day of the LORD...when Jesus comes again in God's wrath upon those who rejected Him. Some think that's harsh, but God has done all the work for our salvation, and all He asks is some love and commitment. Those that think they can do better will be very sad for all eternity. We need to reach out to them and share the Gospel with them.

(v.12) If you read Matt 22, there is a parable that Jesus tells, and to me, it's an unbeliever who gets a glimpse of heaven and is thrown out for his unbelief. He will spend eternity in hell, tormented with the fact that he could have chosen better. This is why we need to be bold and loving to the lost...they still have time to choose God instead of themselves.

Hosea 10

(v.2) God doesn't want part-time servants...He wants us engaged and active. Join me in prayer that we search our gifts from God, and use them for His purposes and His glory!

This whole book is about God loving a rebellious nation, and pleading with them to return to Him. The God of the OT is the same as Jesus in the NT...they are wanting us to choose to love and serve Him, and not choose death in our sins.

Hosea 11

(v.7) This is a powerful verse. How many people do we know that say they are Christian, but we see no fruit from them? We can't know the hearts of people, but we can see the fruit from them. Way too many people treat God as some safety net, or superhero, only to call on them when they need Him. God wants us to call upon Him daily...in fact, more than that!

Hosea 12

(v.1) I find it interesting that oil is mentioned here, since it is the prized commodity in the Middle East. The battle we see there is not just about oil or money...it is the battle between Satan and his demons against God's people...Israel. I believe that one day, Israel will have vast amounts of oil, and that will draw their enemies to attack them in the great battle described in Ezekiel 38-39.

(v.13) This is a reference to Moses, who was a prophet and great man of God. Even though he had his faults like all of us, he showed us in many ways how to serve God.

Hosea 13

(v.9) God is pleading with Israel to rely upon Him, and like we've seen so many times in the Bible, He is merciful, and He will help any of us who call out to Him earnestly.

(v.10) Jesus will be Israel's King...ruling in Jerusalem on the throne of David! Luke 1:32

(v.11) If we aren't walking with God, we will ask for things outside His will for us. The people of Israel did this when they wanted a king. God was angered, but He let them have their wish. This brings up the old phrase, "Be careful for what you wish for!"

Hosea 14

(v.2) In the first two verses, God is calling the people to return to Him...that's called repentance. This entails, turning away from our wicked ways, and returning to following Him.

(v.4) God is gracious, for He will love all of us freely. This reminds me of Paul's letter to the Romans:

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? ~ Rom 8:32

(v.9) If we're walking with God, we will become wise and prudent. If we stick to the knowledge of the world, we will constantly fall and have hardships...why not make it easier on ourselves and follow God!?!