In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said, “Israel slides back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place, Ephraim is joined to idols:let him alone”, and in chapter four and verse eighteen of Hosea, Hosea said, “their drink is sour” where we read,
Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually:
her rulers with shame do love, Give you.
The verse begins, “Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually:” Hosea began with the words, “their drink” or “Ephraim's liquor or wine” “is sour” which means “exists as departed and removed”: “they have committed whoredom continually” or “they, Ephraim perpetuated fornication, harlotry and spiritual adultery on a constant and continual basis”. Hosea shared how the people of “Ephraim” or “Israel” constantly perpetuated their spiritual adultery as soon as they finished drinking their liquor and wine.
The verse continues, “her rulers with shame do love, Give you.” Hosea added the words, “her rulers” or “her, Ephraim's, leaders, protectors and defense” “with shame do love” which means “by the use of disgrace, dishonor and ignominy have deep affection”, “Give you” or “grant, bestow and love you, Ephraim”. Hosea shared how the leaders of Ephraim dearly loved their idolatrous spiritual adultery.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea how the people within “Ephraim”, which is the nation of Israel, paid allegiance to their spiritual adultery even when their liquor and wine were departed. Their leaders were committed to their idols, and rather than worshiping the True and living God, they paid obeisance to false gods. God offers a personal relationship with Him to every person through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire to worship Him alone and never allow liquor, wine or wayward leaders to sway us otherwise.
Next time Hosea says, “the wind has bound up her in her wings”, 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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