Wednesday, November 4
Read Hosea 9
Think About It:
- In verse 10, God looks back to the days when Israel was faithful to Him. He compared them to grapes in the wilderness and the first fruits on the fig tree. What is the significance of grapes in the wilderness and the first fruits on the fig tree?
- Israel loved their disgraceful idols, and because of their spiritual and physical adultery they became an abomination to the LORD, as detestable and loathsome as the thing they loved. We will become like the god we love and serve, whether it is the LORD or like an abomination. What is it that you love?
- Give them, O LORD – What will You give? The idea is that Hosea began an angry prayer against the people (“Give them, O LORD”), then he stopped because he checked his heart and didn’t know what to pray (“What will you give?”). In the end, he asked for a miscarrying womb and dry breasts. Really, Hosea prayed for mercy. Knowing the coming judgment, he prayed, “LORD, give them few children so those children will not have to face the horrors of Your coming judgment.” Sometimes those who see themselves – perhaps accurately – as more spiritual and closer to God than others in a church or group get angry and frustrated with those who don’t seem to have hearts burning for the LORD. Their frustration is understandable but the pause in Hosea’s prayer should give them pause. It is a good thing to long for revival and spiritual passion among God’s people, but if that makes us proud, angry, or bitter against others, then Satan has won a great victory.
Family Time:
- Look up what a threshing floor is.
- Israel’s leaders vacillated between alliances with (tEgyp)_____________ and alliances with
(Ayssari)_______________. Their only hope was to return to god.
