In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said, “Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure. For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim has hired lovers”, and in chapter eight and verse ten of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said of Israel, “though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them” where we read,
Yes, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them,
and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.
The verse begins, “Yes, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, ...” Hosea began with the words, “yes, though they have hired” or “even so and indeed, even though they, the people of Israel, have been induced with amorous favors” “among the nations” which means “in the midst and middle of foreign and non-Hebrew people groups”, “now will I gather them” or “at this time shall I, Jehovah God, bring together, assemble and collect them, the people of Israel”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God declared that He would assemble and collect the people of Israel even though they had sought amorous favors from foreign people groups.
The verse continues, “... and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.” Hosea added the words, “and they” or “and the people of Israel” “shall sorrow a little” which means “will be polluted, defiled, desecrated, violated and dishonored” “for the burden” or “on behalf of the load, tribute and mental desire” “of the king” which means “pertaining to the royal ruler and leader” “of princes” or “belonging to the youthful rulers, leaders, officiates, chieftains and overseers”. Hosea shared how the people of “Israel” would writhe and waste away in pain from the oppression and affliction of the royal ruler over youthful leaders.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea how Jehovah God was willing to gather together the people in the nation of Israel even after they had forsaken Him. Because they abandoned God, they were to endure suffering from the foreign royal leader to whom they went. God will allow people to go their own way for a time, but He wants them to return to Him even if they become sorrowful from their wayward choices. (See John 15:11-32) God loves people, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, He made a way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and kept close to Him so we do not have to suffer unnecessary difficulties because we have departed from Him.
Next time Hosea shares how Jehovah God says of Ephraim, “altars shall be unto him to sin”, 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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