In the book of Hosea, Hosea said to the people of Israel, “turn you to your God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on your God continually”, and in chapter twelve and verse seven of Hosea, Hosea said, “he is a merchant” where we read,
He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loves to oppress.
The verse begins, “He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand:” Hosea began with the words, “he is a merchant” or “he, the people of Israel, exist similar to crafty traders or sellers”, “the balances of deceit” which means “the scales pertaining to falsehood, treachery, fraud and deception” “are in his hand” or “exist within his, the people of Israel's, physical hands of power, might and strength”. Hosea likened the people of “Jacob” or “Israel” to traders or sellers who hold and use false scales within their physical “hands” to deceive their buyers.
The verse goes on to say, “he loves to oppress.” Hosea continued with the words, “he loves” or “he, the people of Israel, have a strong affection and appetite” “to oppress” which means “to violate, defraud and do wrong”. Hosea said the people of “Jacob” or “Israel” had a strong appetite for doing wrong to others.
When we think through Hosea's words in this verse, we learn how he likened the people of “Jacob or Israel” to crafty business people who employ false scales to take advantage of others. This is sinful behavior that violates their covenant with God and His laws. This is not unfamiliar behavior because everyone violates the law of God. We all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (See Romans 3:23) Sin separates us from God and eventually leads to death, and this is why God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross in our place. (See Romans 6:23; John 3:16) When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us His Holy Spirit who will cleanse us and keep us from “balances of deceit” and a passion for “oppressing” others.
Next time Hosea says, “Ephraim said, yet I am become rich”, 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".
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