In the book of Hosea, Hosea said, “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped iniquity; you have eaten the fruit of lies: because you did trust in your way, in the multitude of your mighty men”, and in chapter ten and verse fourteen of Hosea, Hosea said, “a tumult shall arise among your people” where we read,
Therefore shall a tumult arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be spoiled,
as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.
The verse begins, “Therefore shall a tumult arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be spoiled, ...” Hosea began with the words, “therefore shall a tumult” or “wherefore, then and on this account will a roar, din, crash and uproar” “arise among your people” which means “stand, become powerful and come on the scene in the midst of your, the nation of Israel's, human beings both male and female”, “and all your fortresses” or “and each, every, the whole and everyone of your, the nation of Israel's, fortifications, strongholds and fences” “shall be spoiled” which means “will exist as despoiled, devastated, utterly ruined and destroyed”. Hosea shared how the result of the nation of Israel turning away from worshiping Jehovah God, plowing wickedness and consuming falsehood would be that an uproar would come upon them, and every one of their fortifications would be destroyed.
The verse goes on to say, “... as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon herchildren.” Hosea continued with the words, “as Shalman” or “similar and in likeness to Shalman whose name means fire-worshiper and was a contraction for Slamaneser king of Assyria” “spoiled Betharbel” which means “caused havoc, violence, devastation and ruin upon Bethearbel or Beth-Arbel whose name means house of God's Ambush and was a place in Palestine perhaps Gilead or Galilee” “in the day of battle” or “within the season, period and division of time pertaining to a fighting or war”: “the mother” which means “the immediate female ancestor or progenitor” “was dashed in pieces” or “was rejected, thrown down and broken in parts” “upon her children” which means “on her, the nation of Israel's, progeny and offspring”. (See 2 Kings 19:11-13) Hosea shared how the people of Israel were to suffer destruction and ruin in a similar way to how “Shalman” destroyed “Betharbel” within war where even their female progenitors and their offspring were slaughtered.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea how the nation of Israel was to face judgment and destruction because they forsook Jehovah God. “Tumults, fortresses spoiled” and “mothers and children” being slaughtered was the result of their abandoning Him, and this was in no way God's desire for them. God loves people, and He wants the best for their lives. He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind so they could be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and not face judgment that is certain to come upon anyone who refuses and rejects His offer of salvation. Let all who read these words take heed.
Next time Hosea says, “so shall Bethel do unto you”, 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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