Like Grapes in the Wilderness - Hosea 9:10

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said of Ephraim, “they have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins”, and in chapter nine and verse ten of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said of Israel, “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness” where we read,

I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.

The verse begins, “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the fig tree at her first time:” Hosea began with the words, “I found Israel like grapes” or “I, Jehovah God, encountered, came upon and discovered Israel, whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob, similar and in likeness to grapes” “in the wilderness” which means “within the uninhabited land, pasture and desert place”: “I saw your fathers” or “I, Jehovah God, inspected, considered, regarded, perceived, noticed, discerned and observed your, Israel's, male progenitors and ancestors” “as the first ripe in the fig tree” which means “similar and in likeness to the early and first ripened tree that bears fig fruit” “at her first time” or “in the beginning, first and choice part or opportunity”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God likened discovering “Israel” in the beginning to that of finding “grapes” within a desert place while He observed their ancestors like that of the early ripened “figs” upon a “fig tree”.

The verse goes on to say, “but they went to Baal peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.” Hosea continued with the words, “but they went to Baal peor” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover they, the people of Israel, departed, proceeded and were enumerated toward Baal-peor whose name means lord of the gap who was the deity worshiped at Peor with probable licentious rites”, “and separated themselves” which means “and dedicated, consecrated a devoted their own selves” “unto that shame” or “toward that confusion, humiliation, ignominy and embarrassment”; “and their abominations” which means “and their, the people of Israel's, detestable, disgusting and filthy idols” “were according as they loved” or “were in keeping and similar to the way they, the people of Israel, had affection, fondness and tenderness”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God knew the people of “Israel” abandoned Him to go to “Baalpeor” where they participated in their wicked and embarrassing acts and deeds which were in keeping with their affections and lusts. 

When we think through Hosea's words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God discovered “Israel”, and they were initially like finding “grapes” in a desert place and the first ripe “figs” on a “fig tree”. However, rather than continuing in their relationship with Jehovah God, they abandoned Him and left for “Baalpeor” where they worshiped shameful idols because they were affectionate for them. God knows so many people begin a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus where He forgives their sins, grants them everlasting life and teaches them to follow Him, however, they choose to leave Him and worship other gods, images and religions that bring “shame” upon them before God. God loves us, and He knows what is best for our lives, and when we yield to Him, He will give us a life of joy, peace and guilt free living before His eyes that never leaves Him for other false idols and gods. 

Next time Hosea says of Israel, “their glory shall fly away like a bird”, 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".