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Good Morning, Siblings!
Today’s readings are Hosea 8-14
Read today’s Bible readings at BibleGateway by clicking here.
Rabbit Trails
Yesterday’s notes were a bit long so I am going to try to keep todays a bit shorter but no promises. Since we have already laid out the theme and context of Hosea, today I’d like to focus on some key verses in our reading.
…because they have transgressed my covenant and rebelled against my law, to me they cry “My God, we – Israel – know you.” Israel has spurned the good…” Hosea 8:1-3
Here we see folks about to get punished and so they cry out, to remind YHWH that they are His people with their words. Again, though, we see that YHWH looks to the heart and actions of a person rather than empty words. Matthew 7:22-23 goes perfectly in line with this if y’all want to look that one up.
For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. the standing grain has no heads; it shall yield no flour…… Israel is among the nations as a useless vessel. Hosea 8: 7-8
When are we a useless vessel? When we are not filled with and operating under the Father’s wisdom.
I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. KJV Hosea 8:12
I think the ESV misses the mark on these verses so I went with KJV on this one. That is certainly not an indictment against ESV or for KJV as neither are perfect, just a choice when it comes to this one verse. Directly preceding this verse we were told that Ephraim had multiplied their altars for sinning, meaning they had built many altars to idols. The Father here is telling us that He had provided His law to them, and they had access to it but considered it to be strange, foreign, or perhaps not something they felt a need to abide by. Sound familiar?
Hosea 9:1 opens with an admonishment for Israel to stop its rejoicing. How tragic that we do tend to rejoice in our sin before the Father, often without realizing it. Sometimes, even bringing our sin to Him and asking Him to bless it.
Hosea 10:11-12 appears to me to foretell Ephraim and Judah working together in order that they may return to the Father. Of course, this is more of the revelation we’ve been reading about over and over which we know will take place in the end times, very much in line with Romans 11. This reconciliation is already taking place at micro levels around the world. Remember: Individuals make a difference.
As my friend Debbie says, “It’s always been about a remnant.”
Hosea 11:1 – Read this passage and then go read Matthew 2:15
The love the Father has for Ephraim throughout chapter 11 breaks me. Truly, this is a very emotional read.
Hosea 13:14 is quoted by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:54-55
The subtitle of Hosea 14 in my Bible says “A plea to return to the Lord (YHWH)”. It is a beautiful promise to all the children of YHWH who would seek to repent of their sin and return to His Grace. To me, it feels very much in line with the description we see of YHWH’s earthly kingdom that we talked about in my Ezekiel 46-48 notes.
Today’s reading ends with a very serious message to all of us that should cause us to sit up straight, take a deep breath, and take to soul all that we have read.
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. Hosea 14:9
Family, we’ve finished another book. Rak Chazak!
Click here to get the Hosea Focus SheetClick here to view the answer key
Test everything, hold tight to what is good.~ 1 Thess 5:21
We are saved by Grace alone: Obedience is not the root of our salvation, it is the fruit!
May YHWH bless the reading of His Word!