In the book of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God said concerning Ephraim, “Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me. And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me”, and in chapter seven and verse fifteen of Hosea, Hosea shared how Jehovah God shared what happened even, “though I have bound and strengthened their arms” where we read,
Though I have bound and strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me.
The verse begins, “Though I have bound and strengthened their arms,” Hosea began with the words, “though I have bound” or “even though I, Jehovah God, chastened, disciplined, instructed and admonished” “and strengthened” which means “and hardened and made strong, firm and resolute” “their arms” or “their, the people of Ephraim's, forearms, shoulders and force”. Hosea shared how Jehovah God referred to the way He instructed and admonished the people of “Ephraim” and made their shoulders and forearms firm and strong.
The verse goes on to say, “... yet do they imagine mischief against me.” Hosea continued with the words, “yet do they imagine mischief” or “still they, the people of Ephraim, plan, esteem, calculate, invent and make bad, evil, displeasing, unpleasant and wicked plans” “against me” which means “in opposition to me, Jehovah God”. Hosea shared how the people of “Ephraim” continued to make wicked and evil plans in opposition to Jehovah God even though He “bound and strengthened their arms”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Hosea just how obstinate the people of “Ephraim” were in opposition to Jehovah God. Even though God made them strong and firm, they continued to make wicked and evil plans against him. God knows and loves people, and even when they are in opposition to Him, He seeks and wants to save them from their sinful ways. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should no perish, but have everlasting life” (See John 3:16), and when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a recognition of His strength that causes us to desire to act in ways that are pleasing to Him.
Next time Hosea shares how Jehovah God says, “they return, but not to the most High”, 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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