Love a Woman Beloved of Her Friend - Hosea 3:1

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said to the nation of Israel, “and it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, says the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth. And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel. And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, you are my people; and they shall say, You are my God”, and in chapter three and verse one of Hosea, Hosea shared how the LORD said, “Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend” where we read,

Then said the LORD, unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend,

yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel,

who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.

The verse begins, “Then said the LORD, unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, ...” Hosea began with the words, “then said the LORD” or “at that time uttered, declared and proclaim Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “unto me” which means “toward me, Hosea” “go yet” or “depart and proceed away”, “love a woman” which means “have affection and appetite for a female human being” “beloved of her friend”which means “who has affection and appetite from her, the woman's, neighbor, fellow-citizen and intimate companion”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God declared and commanded him to depart and have intimate affection for a “woman, Gomer” who was intimately cared for by her companion. 

The verse continues, “... yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, ...” Hosea added the words, “yet an adulteress” or “still in an idolatrous and adulterous relationship”, “according to the love” which means “in keeping with intimate affection and appetite” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “toward the children of Israel” which means “to the descendants and offspring belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Hosea shared how he knew his wife Gomer and the nation of Israel were continuing in their idolatrous adultery, and still, he was to have intimate affection like Jehovah God does for the nation of “Israel”.

Finally the verse says, “... who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.” Hosea concluded this verse by saying, “who look to other gods” or “who, the nation of Israel, turn toward and approach different divine ones”, “and love flagons”which means “and have intimate affection toward vessels” “of wine” or “filled with fermented fruit of the vine”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God knew his wife Gomer and the nation of Israel were also intimately affectionate toward vessels of fermented fruit of the vine. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea how Jehovah God commanded him to have intimate affection for Gomer again. God has this kind of “love” for the nation of Israel, and when Hosea went to retrieve His wife Gomer, God was demonstrating how He would continue to pursue the nation of Israel even though she forsook Him. God loves Israel, and He loves us. Even when we have sinned against Him, He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us an awareness of His intimate affection for us and for every other person in the world. 

Next time Hosea says, “I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Sowing in the Earth - Hosea 2:23

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said to the nation of Israel, “and it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, says the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth. And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-three of Hosea, Hosea said, “I will sow her unto me in the earth” where we read,

And I will sow her unto me in the earth;

and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy;

and I will say to them which were not my people,

you are my people; and they shall say, You are my God.

The verse begins, “And I will sow her unto me in the earth;” Hosea began with the words, “and I will sow her unto me” or “and I, Jehovah God, shall scatter yield producing seed her, the nation of Israel toward me, Jehovah God” “in the earth” which means “within the territory, region, district and world”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God would scatter the yield producing seed of the nation of Israel to Himself.

The verse goes on to say, “and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy;” Hosea continued with the words, “and I will have mercy upon her” or “and I, Jehovah God, shall have deep love, tender affection and compassion on her, the nation of Israel” “that had not obtained mercy” which means “who did not hold, own or possess deep love, tender affection and compassion”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God would have tender affection and compassion upon the nation of Israel who previously was without tender affection and love. 

The verse continues, “and I will say to them which were not my people, ...” Hosea added, “and I will say to them” or “and I, Jehovah God, shall utter, declare and proclaim to them, the nation of Israel” “which were not my people” which means “who were previously were in no way or manner my, Jehovah God's, nation, compatriots, kinsmen or kindred”. Hosea said Jehovah God would declare that the nation of Israel who previously were not behaving like His nation and compatriots to be His compatriots and kindred.

Finally the verse says, “... you are my people; and they shall say, You are my God.” Hosea concluded this verse by saying, “you are my people” or “you, the nation of Israel, exist as my, Jehovah God's, nation, compatriots, kinsmen and kindred”; “and they shall say” which means “and they, the nation of Israel will utter, declare and proclaim”, “You are my God” or “you, Jehovah God, exist as my, the nation of Israel's Supreme Deity and Divine One”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God would also declare the nation of Israel to be His kinsmen, and the nation of Israel would declare Jehovah God to be their “Supreme Deity”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea how Jehovah God continued His purpose to have the nation of Israel as His beloved spouse. Even though the nation of Israel abandoned their relationship with Him, He did not abandon them. God is invested in the people of Israel, and He declares them to be His kindred. Even when they were not considered to be His, He knew eventually they would declare Him to be their Supreme Deity. God wants this type of relationship with us, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind so we could have access to Him. When we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and claim us as His own as we proclaim Him to be our Supreme Deity and LORD. 

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Hosea share how the LORD says, “Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance". 

The Earth Shall Hear - Hosea 2:22

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said to the nation of Israel, “and it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, says the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-two of Hosea, Hosea said, “the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine and the oil” where we read,

And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil;

and they shall hear Jezreel.

The verse begins, “And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil;” Hosea began with the words, “and the earth” or “and the country, territory, region and world” “shall hear the corn” which means “will respond, testify, speak and shout to the wheat and grain”, “and the wine” or “and the freshly pressed grape-juice or fermented wine”, “and the oil” which means “and the shining fresh anointing oil”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God shared how the world would respond to the grain, the fresh pressed fruit of the vine and the anointing oil. 

The verse continues, “and they shall hear Jezreel.” Hosea added the words, “and they shall hear” or “and they, the corn, wine and oil” will respond, testify, speak and shout to” “Jezreel” whose name means “God plants or sows” and was the name of the two places in Palestine and of two Israelites. Hosea shared how “the corn, wine and oil” would pay attention to the valley of “Jezreel” where God rescued the nation of Israel. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover through Hosea how Jehovah God included how the “wheat, wine and oil” in the world would respond to the “earth” itself because of God's great love for the nation of Israel. God wants the world and it's contents to know how much He loves Israel, and He does the same for every person who surrenders to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and cause the world and it's contents to know about His love for us.

Next time Hosea says, “I will sow her unto me in the earth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

I Will Hear, Says the LORD - Hosea 2:21

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said of the nation of Israel, “I will betroth you unto me for ever; yes, I will betroth you unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth you unto me in faithfulness: and you shall know the LORD”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-one of Hosea, Hosea said, “I will hear, says the LORD” where we read,

And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, says the LORD,

I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth.

The verse begins, “And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, says the LORD, ...” Hosea began with the words, “and it shall come to pass” or “and the following shall happen, fall out and occur” “in that day” which means “within that period and division of time”, “I will hear” or “I, Jehovah God, shall answer, respond, testify, speak and shout”, “says the Lord” which means “utters, declares and proclaims Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God said He would respond to the nation of Israel within the time of betrothing them. 

The verse goes on to say, “... I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth.” Hosea continued with the words, “I will hear the heavens” or “I, Jehovah God, will respond, testify, speak and shout to the visible sky, abode of the stars and the atmosphere”, “and they shall hear” which means “and they, the heavens, will respond, testify, speak and shout to”“the earth” or “the country, territory, region and world”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God shall respond to the visible sky and atmosphere and the visible sky and atmosphere will respond to the world. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea how Jehovah God gets the “heavens and earth”involved in His relationship with the nation of Israel. All of God's creation will respond to Him when it comes to His love for mankind, and even though people have sinned against Him, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for their sins. God loves us, and when we believe and trust in Jesus as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and call upon the “heavens and earth” to acknowledge that we belong to Him.

Next time Hosea says, “the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine and the oil”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Betrothed in Faithfulness Hosea 2:20

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said of the nation of Israel, “I will betroth you unto me for ever; yes, I will betroth you unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies”, and in chapter two and verse twenty of Hosea, Hosea said, “I will even betroth you unto me in faithfulness” where we read,

I will even betroth you unto me in faithfulness:

and you shall know the LORD.

The verse begins, “I will even betroth you unto me in faithfulness:” Hosea began with the words, “I will even betroth you” or “I, Gomer and Jehovah God, shall indeed engage for matrimony you, Gomer and the nation of Israel” “unto me in faithfulness” which means “to me, Gomer and Jehovah God, within fidelity, steadfastness, steadiness and truth”. Hosea shared how he and Jehovah God would engage themselves for matrimony to his wife Gomer and the nation of Israel. 

The verse continues, “and you shall know the LORD.” Hosea added the words, “and you shall know” or “and you, Gomer and the nation of Israel, will perceive, discern, discriminate and consider” “the LORD” which means “Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. Hosea shared how his wife Gomer and the nation of Israel would know him and Jehovah God. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Hosea demonstrated Jehovah God's love for the nation of Israel through his love for his wife Gomer. Even though each of them were unfaithful, there was an extension of the idea of keeping married to them. God loves Israel, and He loves us. “God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (See Romans 5:8), and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a knowledge of Him and His “faithfulness” to continue in an intimate relationship with us throughout all eternity. 

Next time Hosea says, “I will hear, says the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Betrothed Forever - Hosea 2:19

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said of the nation of Israel, “I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name. And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely”, and in chapter two and verse nineteen of Hosea, Hosea said, “and I will betroth you unto me for ever” where we read,

And I will betroth you unto me for ever;

yes, I will betroth you unto me in righteousness, and in judgment,

and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.

The verse begins, “And I will betroth you unto me for ever; ...” Hosea began with the words, “and I will betroth you” or “and I, Hosea and Jehovah God, shall engage for matrimony you, Gomer and the nation of Israel” “unto me for ever”which means “to me, Hosea and Jehovah God, for long duration, unto futurity, perpetually, everlasting and evermore”. Hosea shared how he and Jehovah God would engage themselves in matrimony to Gomer and the nation of Israel unto futurity. 

The verse goes on to say, “... yes, I will betroth you unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, ...” Hosea continued with the words, “yes, I will betroth you unto me” or “even so, also and indeed I, Jehovah God, shall engage in matrimony to you, Gomer and the nation of Israel, to me, Hosea and Jehovah God” “in righteousness” which means “within rightness and justness”, “and in judgment” or “and within justice, ordinance, right and the act of deciding a case”. Hosea shared how he and Jehovah God would engage in matrimony Gomer and the nation of Israel within a just, right, correct and lawful manner. 

Finally the verse says, “... and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.” Hosea concluded this verse with the words, “and in lovingkindness” which means “and within kindness, faithfulness and favor”, “and in mercies” or “and within bowels of tender love and pity”. Hosea shared how he and Jehovah God would also engage in matrimony with Gomer and the nation of Israel with kindness, tender love and pity. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Hosea and Jehovah God would re-engage their “spouses” eternally in a just, right, correct and lawful way. They would have tender love and pity upon their unfaithful wives even through they did not deserve it. God gives people second, third, fourth and more chances to return to a relationship with Him, and because He loves everyone, regardless of how far they are away from Him, when they believe and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and bring them back into fellowship with Him over and over again until we live with Him in Heaven for all eternity.

Next time Hosea says, “I will even betroth you unto me in faithfulness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

God Will Make a Covenant with Them - Hosea 2:18

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said of the nation of Israel, “I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name”, and in chapter two and verse eighteen of Hosea, Hosea said, “in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field” where we read,

And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field,

and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground:

and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth,,

and will make them to lie down safely. 

The verse begins, “And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, ...” Hosea began with the words, “and in that day” or “and within that period and division of time” “will I make a covenant for them” which means “shall I, Jehovah God, form and cause an alliance, pledge, treaty and league on behalf of them, the nation of Israel” “with the beasts of the field” or “alongside the fresh, flowing, lively and active wild animals belonging to the land or plain”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God promised to “make” a treaty with the wild animals within the land. 

The verse continues, “... and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground:” Hosea added the words, “and with the fowls of heaven” or “and alongside the flying creatures, birds and insects belonging to the visible sky”, “and with the creeping things” which means “and alongside the gliding organisms and things” “of the ground” or “belonging to the land, earth substance, territory and country”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God would also include the flying creatures of the sky and the gliding organisms of the earth in His “covenant”.

The verse goes on to say, “and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, ...” Hosea continued with the words, “and I will break the bow” which means “and I, Jehovah God, shall destroy, crush and wreck the bowman's arch” “and the sword” or “and the knife, tool for cutting, axe, dagger, mattock and sharp implement” “and the battle” which means “and the war and fight” “out of the earth” or “separate and apart from the land, territory, district and region”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God said He would crush the archer's bow, the sharp cutting instrument and the fighting from the land in which Israel dwelt. 

Finally the verse says, “... and will make them to lie down safely.” Hosea concluded this verse with the words, “and will make them” which means “and shall cause them, the nation of Israel” “to lie down safely” or “to rest, relax and lodge in a secure and confident manner”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God would cause the nation of Israel to rest and relax in a secure and confident manner. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea how Jehovah God would intimately involve Himself in the lives of the nation of Israel by addressing the beasts, fowls, bow, sword and battle they would encounter. God wanted His people to be “safe”, and only He could provide for them. God wants to “save” us as well, and because we have sin in our lives that will lead us to eternal separation from Him, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we humble ourselves, repent of our sins and believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide for us in a manner that will cause us to “rest” both in this life and in the life to come. 

Next time Hosea says, “and I will betroth you unto me for ever”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Taking Baalim Out of Her Mouth - Hosea 2:17

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said of the nation of Israel, “I will give her her vineyards from there, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be at that day, says the LORD, that you shall call me Ishi; and shall call me no more Baali”, and in chapter two and verse seventeen of Hosea, Hosea said, “I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth” where we read,

For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth,

and they shall no more be remembered by their name.

The verse begins, “For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, ...” Hosea began with the words, “for I will take away” or “because, since and on account that I, Hosea and Jehovah God, shall remove” “the names of Baalim”which means “the fame, reputation and glory belonging to Baalim whose name means lord and was the supreme male divinity of the Phoenicians or Canaanites” “out of her mouth” or “separate and apart from her, Gomer and the nation of Israel's, orifice in the face used for eating, drinking and speaking”. Hosea shared how the fame, reputation and glory of “Baalim” or “lord” would be removed from Gomer and the nation of Israel's “mouths”. 

The verse goes on to say, “... and they shall no more be remembered by their name.” Hosea continued with the words, “and they shall no more be remembered” or “and they, Gomer and the nation of Israel, will in no way or manner exist as recalled, brought to mind or thought of” “by their name” which means “through the means of their, Baalim', fame reputation and glory”. Hosea shared how his wife Gomer and the nation of Israel would no longer be thought of by the “name” of “Baalim”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how Hosea and Jehovah God would remove the nomenclature and the remembrance of “Baalim” from the “mouths”of his wife Gomer and the nation of Israel. God loves Israel, and He loves us. He wants Israel to identify with Him and no other gods, and He desires the same for us. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins, and when we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and make known by “His name” and no other god that is within the world. (See Isaiah 62:2) 

Next time Hosea says, “in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".