In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said to the nation of Israel, “Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Israel: for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood touches blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwells therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yes, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away”, and in chapter four and verse four of Hosea, Hosea said, “let no man strive, nor reprove another” where we read,
Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another:
for your people are as they that strive with the priest.
The verse begins, “Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another:” Hosea began with the words, “yet let no man strive” or “howbeit, still, only and even so do not allow or permit no human being whether male or female to contend, make a complaint or quarrel”, “nor reprove another” which means “no and not in any way judge, rebuke, correct or adjudge a person whether male or female”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God commanded the people of the nation of Israel not to bring complaints, quarrels or rebuking with one another.
The verse goes on to say, “for your people are as they that strive with the priest.” Hosea continued with the words, “for your people” or “because, since and on account that your, the nation of Israel's, human beings both male and female” “are as they that strive” which means “exist similar and in likeness to people who contend, make a complaint and quarrel” “with the priest” or “with a principal officer, chief ruler or officiating spiritual leader”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God said the people within the nation of Israel not only point their finger at others but also try to blame them for their contentions, and His complaint with them was with the spiritual leaders who were among them.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea how Jehovah God called out the people of Israel for their contending with one another and brought His complaint against their spiritual leadership. God knew the best for the nation of Israel, and fighting from within would not help them at all. God knows the best for us, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind to prove it. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us from “striving” with one another as we worship and serve Him in His Kingdom.
Next time Hosea says, “therefore shall you fall in the day”, 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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