I Knew You in the Wilderness - Hosea 13:5

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said of Ephraim, “I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt, and you shall know no god but me: for there is no savior beside me”, and in chapter thirteen and verse five of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said, “I did know you in the wilderness” where we read,

I did know you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.

The verse begins, “I did know you in the wilderness, ...” Hosea began with the words, “I did know you” or “I, Jehovah God, perceived, recognized, acknowledged and considered you, Ephraim” “in the wilderness” which means “within the uninhabited land or desert”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God declared His recognition of “Ephraim” within the desert. 

The verse goes on to say, “... in the land of great drought.” Hosea continued with the words, “in the land” or “within the country, territory, district and region” “of great drought” which means “belonging to desiccation or massive dryness and thirst”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God was aware of “Ephraim” as they were in the region of massive dryness and thirst. 

When we think through Hosea's words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God was well-aware of the people of “Ephraim or Israel” as they wandered through the “wilderness” after leaving “Egypt”. (See Exodus 2:25 and Exodus 13) God loves the people of “Ephraim or Israel”, and He has lead them from the time of Abraham. All the nations of the world were to be blessed through “Israel”, and whether people are in their own “wilderness” or a literal one, God is with them. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us His Holy Spirit so we may know He is with us at all times and will never leave or forsake us. (See Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5-6)

Next time Hosea shares how Jehovah God says, “according to their pasture, so were they filled”, 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".