The people of Samaria must bear their guilt, because they have rebelled against their God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to the ground, their pregnant women ripped open.” (Hosea 13:16 NIV) As Hosea completes his case against Israel he makes a final plea for them to return to…
Category: Hosea
Time to Return – Hosea 12
The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds. In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel; as a man he struggled with God. He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor. He…
God Has Feelings – Hosea 11
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. But the more I called to him, the farther he moved from me, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols. I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But…
The Danger of Prosperity – Hosea 10
Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones. (Hosea 10:1 NIV) Have you ever done something and been abundantly rewarded for it? What does the reward motivate you to do? We’d like to think we’re…
Judgement Announced – Hosea 9
“Because of all their wickedness in Gilgal, I hated them there. Because of their sinful deeds, I will drive them out of my house. I will no longer love them; all their leaders are rebellious. (Hosea 9:15 NIV) Hosea has spent the first part of his prophecy explaining how the relationship with God and Israel…
Indictments Part 3 – Hosea 8
“They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. (Hosea 8:7 NIV) Today we look at the final two charges that Hosea makes against Israel. “I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something foreign.” (Hosea 8:12 NIV) Israel existed in an oral culture. Writing things down required significant…
Indictments Part 2 – Hosea 8
“They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.” (Hosea 8:7 NIV) Our choices do have consequences, although we work very hard to avoid them. Today we’ll look at three more of the charges that Hosea makes against Israel. “Samaria, throw out your calf-idol!” (Hosea 8:5 NIV) “Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these…
Indictments Part 1 – Hosea 8
“They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. (Hosea 8:7 NIV) The side journey into the armor of God has taken a different turn than I expected, and it will be a while before any of those posts are ready to publish. So, today we return to Hosea. One of the roles of the prophet…
Ovens, Pancakes, Birds, and Bows – Hosea 7
What does a culture without God look like? Israel was a culture without God and Hosea provides four comparisons to help us answer this question. Their hearts are like an oven; they approach him with intrigue. Their passion smolders all night; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire. (Hosea 7:6 NIV) Fires consume….
Old and New – Hosea 7:2
Its people don’t realize that I am watching them. Their sinful deeds are all around them, and I see them all. (Hosea 7:2 NLT) “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”…
