 When I restore the fortunes of my people, when I would heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim is revealed, and the evil deeds of Samaria, for they deal falsely; the thief breaks in, and the bandits raid outside. 2 But they do not consider that I remember all their evil. Now their deeds surround them; they are before my face. 3 By their evil they make the king glad, and the princes by their treachery. 4 They are all adulterers; they are like a heated oven whose baker ceases to stir the fire, from the kneading of the dough until it is leavened.
5 On the day of our king, the princes became sick with the heat of wine; he stretched out his hand with mockers. 6 For with hearts like an oven they approach their intrigue; all night their anger smolders; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire. 7 All of them are hot as an oven, and they devour their rulers. All their kings have fallen, and none of them calls upon me. 8 Ephraim mixes himself with the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned. 9 Strangers devour his strength, and he knows it not; gray hairs are sprinkled upon him, and he knows it not. 10 The pride of Israel testifies to his face; yet they do not return to the Lord their God, nor seek him, for all this. 11 Ephraim is like a dove, silly and without sense, calling to Egypt, going to Assyria. 12 As they go, I will spread over them my net; I will bring them down like birds of the heavens; I will discipline them according to the report made to their congregation. 13 Woe to them, for they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, for they have rebelled against me! I would redeem them, but they speak lies against me. 14 They do not cry to me from the heart, but they wail upon their beds; for grain and wine they gash themselves; they rebel against me. 15 Although I trained and strengthened their arms, yet they devise evil against me. 16 They return, but not upward; they are like a treacherous bow; their princes shall fall by the sword because of the insolence of their tongue! This shall be their derision in the land of Egypt Meditation The steadfast love of God opens the door for His people to return to Him for wholehearted relationship, but often our heart’s mis-directed affection hinders us from returning to Him. Revelation 3:15-20 refers to half-hearted returning to God as “lukewarm” faith. Hosea uses four images to capture the same realities: An oven, cake, bird, and bow. The desire of God’s heart is for His people to return to Him with our whole heart, rich affection for Him alone. God is a groom waiting for His bride, ready for His people to come to Him. Thieves and bandits have stolen Israel’s affection (1-2) and the parable of the oven and cake (3-14) reveal both internal and external symptoms of lukewarm faith. Internally there is wickedness. Externally they trusted Egypt as much as God. The heart problem (14) is an issue of affection. God loved His people as a parent loves their child, training and strengthening them (15; 11:1). Israel rejected God’s love for the love of idols and put their trust in other nations. Like a bird, they were silly and without sense (11). Like a bow aimed at the wrong target (16), when they returned it was “not upward” to the love of the Most High God (16). Grace alone grows affections for God. The finished work of Jesus gives a way for believers to return to Him and to love Him with all of our heart. The fire of God’s love sanctifies our affections, creating the desire for a faith targeting Him, His word, and His ways. Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially Hosea’s use of the four images to communicate God’s message? -Are you intimidated that God rejects lukewarm faith? Jesus says we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Do you try? -The finished work of Jesus frees us to examine our hearts for a right diagnosis of the direction of our affections. Take time to focus on God’s grace through Christ and ask Holy Spirit to awaken your heart with God’s love. Key Verse 8 Ephraim mixes himself with the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned…. 16 They return, but not upward…
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |