February 03, 2012
Hosea 11:2 (NIV) - "The more I called the further they went from me." Hosea 11:7 - "My people have made up their minds to turn away from me. The prophets call them to turn to me, but none of them honors me at all." Even though they repeatedly turned their backs on him, God still loved them with an unending love. Hosea 11:8 - "My heart beats for you, and my love for you stirs up my pity." But, they continued on. Hosea 12:1 - "What Israel does is as useless as chasing the wind; he chases the east wind all day. They tell more and more lies and do more and more violence."
And God says, "You must return to your God; love him, do what is just, and always trust in him as your God." (Hosea 12:6) But instead of trusting in God, they trusted in their own power and wealth. Hosea 12:7–8 - "(They) use dishonest scales; they like to cheat people. (They say) I am rich! I am someone with power! All their money will do them no good because of the sins they have done." They think they have wealth, power, and might. They think they are indestructible and exempt from the consequences. But God says, "So those people will be like the morning mist; they will disappear like the morning dew. They will be like the chaff blown from the threshing floor, like smoke going out a window." (Hosea 13:3)
What an incredibly sad picture. What a sad reality for those who feel they are their own god. God is God—period. He is the creator—we are the created. He is the One who brought them out of Egypt. He is the One who saves. He is the One who cared for them. He is the One who provided everything they needed. He is the One! But, they became proud and felt they were the ones who were in control and they forgot about God. (Hosea 13:4–8)
Next Entry: Hosea 11:1 – 14:9 (Continued)
Hosea 11:2 (NIV) - "The more I called the further they went from me." Hosea 11:7 - "My people have made up their minds to turn away from me. The prophets call them to turn to me, but none of them honors me at all." Even though they repeatedly turned their backs on him, God still loved them with an unending love. Hosea 11:8 - "My heart beats for you, and my love for you stirs up my pity." But, they continued on. Hosea 12:1 - "What Israel does is as useless as chasing the wind; he chases the east wind all day. They tell more and more lies and do more and more violence."
And God says, "You must return to your God; love him, do what is just, and always trust in him as your God." (Hosea 12:6) But instead of trusting in God, they trusted in their own power and wealth. Hosea 12:7–8 - "(They) use dishonest scales; they like to cheat people. (They say) I am rich! I am someone with power! All their money will do them no good because of the sins they have done." They think they have wealth, power, and might. They think they are indestructible and exempt from the consequences. But God says, "So those people will be like the morning mist; they will disappear like the morning dew. They will be like the chaff blown from the threshing floor, like smoke going out a window." (Hosea 13:3)
What an incredibly sad picture. What a sad reality for those who feel they are their own god. God is God—period. He is the creator—we are the created. He is the One who brought them out of Egypt. He is the One who saves. He is the One who cared for them. He is the One who provided everything they needed. He is the One! But, they became proud and felt they were the ones who were in control and they forgot about God. (Hosea 13:4–8)
Next Entry: Hosea 11:1 – 14:9 (Continued)
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