In the book of Hosea, Hosea said, “Israel has cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him”, and in chapter eight and verse four of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said, “they have set up kings, but not by me” where we read,
They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not:
of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.
The verse begins, “They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not:” Hosea began with the words, “they have set up kings” or “they, the people of Israel, have fixed, established and set in place royal leaders and rulers”, “but not by me” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover no and not in any manner through the means of me, Jehovah God”: “they have made princes” or “they, the people of Israel, have fixed, established and set in place youthful leaders, officiates and governors”, “and I knew it not” which means “and I, Jehovah God, in no way or manner perceived, discerned, discriminated or distinguish their establishing of princes”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God recognized how Israel established their royal rulers and leaders, however, they did not involve Him in their process.
The verse continues, “of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.” Hosea added the words, “of their silver” or “through the means of their, the nation of Israel's, precious metal silver” “and their gold” which means “and their, the nation of Israel's, precious metal gold” “have they made them idols” or “have they, the nation of Israel, formed, fashioned, accomplished and produced for themselves images”, “that they may be cut off” which means “so they, the people of Israel, have brought about their destruction and ruin”. Hosea shared how the people used “silver and gold” to form and fashion “idols” which will bring about their destruction.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea how Jehovah God knew the people of Israel established their leadership without Him in mind, and rather than making God their ruler, they fashioned and formed worthless “idols” as their gods. This lead to their destruction and ruin, and it was not the way God desired for them. God loves people, and He wants a personal relationship with every one. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to His ways all the days of our lives.
Next time Hosea shares how Jehovah God says, “your calf, O Samaria, has cast you off”, 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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