Like People Like Priest - Hosea 4:9

In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said of the priests within the nation of Israel, “they eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity”, and in chapter four and verse nine of Hosea, Hosea said, “and there shall be, like people, like priest” where we read,

And there shall be, like people, like priest:

and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.

The verse begins, “And there shall be, like people, like priest:” Hosea began with the words, “and there shall be” or “and there shall exist”, “like people” which means “similar to the behavior of the human beings both male and female”, “like priest” or “similar and in likeness shall the principal officers, chiefs and spiritual ministers exist”. Hosea said the manner in which the people of the nation of Israel live would be the same for the spiritual leaders who were among them. 

The verse continues, “and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.” Hosea added the words, “and I will punish them” or “and I, Jehovah God, shall recompense, compensate and pay them, the priests and the people in the nation of Israel” “for their ways” which means “on behalf of their, the priests and the people in the nation of Israel's, manner, habits, direction and course of life”, “and reward them” or “and repeat and return to them, the people and priests within the nation of Israel's” “their doings” which means “according to and in keeping with their acts and deeds”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God would recompense and return to the people and the priests within the nation of Israel in keeping with their habits, acts and deeds. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea how God is aware of the behavior of the people and the priests' influence within the nation of Israel. When leaders cause their people to acts in ways that are in opposition to the ways of God, both shall be compensated for their evil deeds. (See Romans 6:23) God knows we all have sinned and come short of His glory, (See Romans 3:23), and this is why He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire through His Holy Spirit to live in a way that is pleasing to Him even when our spiritual leaders attempt to influence us otherwise. 

Next time Hosea says, “they shall eat, and not have enough”, 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".