In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said, “Israel slides back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place, Ephraim is joined to idols:let him alone. Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love, Give you. The wind has bound her up in her wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices”, and in chapter five and verse one of Hosea, Hosea said, “Hear you this, O priests; and hearken, you house of Israel” where we read,
Hear you this, O priests; and hearken, you house of Israel;
and give you ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you,
because you have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.
The verse begins, “Hear you this, O priests; and hearken, you house of Israel;” Hosea began with the words, “hear you this” or “listen, hearken and obey the following”, “O priests” which means “O spiritual leaders, principal officers and chief rulers”; “and hearken” or “and be attentive, incline your ears and pay attention”, “you house of Israel” which means “you dwelling place, habitation and abode belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Hosea called upon the spiritual leaders and the people of the nation “of Israel” to hearken to his words.
The verse continues, “and give you ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, ...” Hosea added the words, “and give you ear” or “and listen, take heed to, hearken and be obedient”, “O house of the king” which means “O dwelling place, habitation and abode belonging to the royal leader and ruler”; “for judgment is toward you” or “because, since and on account that justice, ordinance and the act of deciding a case exists to you, the people of the nation of Israel”. Hosea instructed the the royal ruler to take heed and listen to his words because justice was to come upon them.
Finally the verse says, “... because you have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.” Hosea continued with the words, “because you have been a snare” or “since and on account that you, priests and house of Israel, have existed as and become a gin, trap and calamity” “on Mizpah” which means “upon Mizpah whose name means watchtower and was a place in Gilead north of Jabbok and location near mount Hermon”, “and a net spread before Tabor” or “and a network for catching animals and birds in advance and in front of Tabor whose name means mound and was a mountain in the plain of Esdrelon rising abruptly and insulated except for a narrow ridge on the west connecting it to the hills of Nazareth”. Hosea ended this verse by sharing how the priests and people of Ephraim or Israel were similar to a trap and network for catching animals and birds upon “Mizpah and Tabor”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea how the people and spiritual leaders within Ephraim, (Israel), were not only affected in their own lives, but they were influencing the people around them as well. Their ways were like traps for others, and this is how rebellion against God has it's influence upon more than just the people being rebellious. God wants us to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all people, and when we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us to lead others to Him as we live out our faith before them.
Next time Hosea says, “the revolters are profound to make slaughter”, 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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