As Troops of Robbers - Hosea 6:9

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said, “Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood”, and in chapter six and verse nine of Hosea, Hosea shared about priests who, “as troops of robbers wait for a man” where we read,

And as troops of robbers wait for a man,

so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.

The verse begins, “And as troops of robbers wait for a man, ...” Hosea began with the words, “and as troops” or “and similar and in likeness to marauding bands, divisions, detachments or forays” “of robbers” which means “of raiders or thieves” “wait for a man” or “lying in ambush for a vicim” the following is so. Hosea shared how the following are similar to marauding bands of raiders who lie in wait to ambush others.

The verse continues, “... so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.” Hosea added the words, “so the company of priests” or “also and indeed the association, bands and enchantments of principal officers, chief rulers and officiating spiritual leaders” “murder in the way” which means “slay, kill and assassinate within the roadway, path and course of life” “by consent” or “through Shechem whose name means back or shoulder”: “for they commit lewdness” which means “because, since and on account that they, the company of priests, fashion, accomplish, make and produce wickedness, mischievous purpose, adultery, idolatry and harlotry”. Hosea shared how the spiritual leaders and officers assembled like detachments of thieves who lie in ambush and kill people on their path to Shechem because they continually produce wickedness, idolatry and mischief.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea how Jehovah God was aware of the illicit activities of the “priests” within Ephraim and Judah. Rather than being servants to the people, the spiritual leaders set an ambush against them to destroy them. We can only imagine how upset God was with these leaders, and He is the same today. He offers His salvation and guidance to every person who submits to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of the whole world, however, should people refuse Him and lead others in ways of destruction against Him, woe be to those “lewd” evildoers whether or not they be in leadership roles. 

Next time Hosea shares how Jehovah God says, “I have seen an horrible thing”, 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".