In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said of Israel, “They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of my offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepts them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt”, and in chapter eight and verse fourteen of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said, “Israel has forgotten his Maker” where we read,
For Israel has forgotten his Maker, and builds temples; and Judah has multiplied fenced cities:
but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.
The verse begins, “For Israel has forgotten his Maker, and builds temples; and Judah has multiplied fenced cities:” Hosea began with the words, “for Israel has forgotten” or “because, since and on account that Israel, whose name means God prevails and is the name for the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob, ignored, withered away from and ceased to care for” “his Maker” which means “the nation of Israel's One who made, fashioned, accomplished and produced them”, “and builds temples” or “and sets up, makes and establishes naves, sanctuaries and large public worship buildings”; “and Judah” which means “and Judah whose name means praised and was the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon” “has multiplied fenced cities” or “has increased, grown and produced fortified, enclosed and inaccessible places of waking, towns, posts or encampments”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God said “Israel” ignored and ceased to care for Him, and they erected buildings of worship instead while “Judah” increased their number of fortified towns and encampments.
The verse goes on to say, “but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.” Hosea continued with the words, “but I will send a fire” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover I, Jehovah God, shall dispatch and assign a fiery fire” “upon his cities” which means “on his, Israel's, places of waking, towns, posts and encampments”, “and it shall devour” or “and it, the fiery fire, shall eat up, burn, destroy and consume” “the palaces thereof” which means “the citadels and fortresses within the guarded cities of Israel”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God would penetrate the fortified buildings and towns of “Israel” with a “fiery fire”, and the “fire” would consume and devour their guarded citadels and fortresses.
When we think through Hosea's words in this verse, we learn not only how the people of “Israel and Judah” abandoned their relationship with God, but also how they attempted to preserve and protect themselves from outside dangers and difficulties. However, their guarded buildings, fortified cities and “palaces” were not able to keep them protected from the powerful hand of Almighty God. God created us, gives us life and breath and sustains our lives while knowing exactly where we are as our lives are always open before Him. God loves us, and He proved His love when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire through His Holy Spirit to remain in a relationship with Him that is without walls, cities, buildings or fortresses which are meant to keep us separated from Him.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Hosea say, “Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment