In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said, “Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep. And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved”, and in chapter twelve and verse fourteen of Hosea, Hosea said, “Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly” where we read,
Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly:
therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.
The verse begins, “Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly:” Hosea began with the words, “Ephraim provoked him to anger” or “Ephraim, whose name means double ash-heap or I shall be doubly fruitful and was the name sometimes used for the northern kingdom, vexed, made indignant, grieved and caused him, Jehovah God, to be filled with wrath that wrinkles the nostrils and nose” “most bitterly” which means “in the highest form of mourning of bitterness”. Hosea shared how “Ephraim” caused Jehovah God to be extremely grieved, vexed and filled with wrath.
The verse continues, “therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.”Hosea added the words, “therefore shall he leave his blood upon him” which means “wherefore, then and on this account will he, Jehovah God, will permit, suffer and allow his, Ephraim's, bloodshed to continue on him, Ephraim's”, “and his reproach” or “and his, Ephraim's, scorn, taunting and condition of shame and disgrace” “shall his Lord return unto him”which means “will his, Ephraim's, one to whom a person belongs or God turn back, restore and refresh to him, Ephraim”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God would allow Ephraim's bloodshed to remain upon them, and their scorn and taunting would be restored to them.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea how the people of “Ephraim” caused Jehovah God to be filled with wrath and mourning, and the result was that “Ephraim” would suffer bloodshed, shame and disgrace. This was not God's desire for them because He wanted to have an intimate relationship with them, however, they refused. God wants to have a personal relationship with us as well, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind to make this possible. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us from the judgment that falls upon those who refuse and reject His offer of salvation.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Hosea share what happened, “when Ephraim spoke trembling”, 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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