#GeraldsDevotional
Be Careful of What You Ask For
Be Careful of What You Ask For
Up until this point in this story of these two kingdoms, Israel has been flirting with disaster. Earlier in chapter 7 we saw how she put on a form of Godliness, claiming to be the people of God while she simultaneously colluded with pagan nations and worshiped their gods.
She even formed alliances with them for help as if they were her providers and protectors. At the end of the chapter, God showed us that her allies were actually her enemies and that they would eventually laugh at her.
Today we will see that prediction come true. In spite of all
Today we will see that prediction come true. In spite of all
of the love and patience that God has showered on her… in spite of the efforts that He has taken to invite her to come home to her faithful husband who loves her, she rejects Him and chooses to be faithful only to her lover. Finally in today’s chapter, her lover (the enemy)
shows his true colors. After a lifetime of blatant infidelity to her true husband and open hypocrisy in her worship, she now understands that it was all a mistake and cries out to God for help. But it is too late. She has given a lifetime of dedication, demanding to be with and
worshiping (loving) those who were not her husband. So out of love for her, God gives her that for which she has always vehemently asked.
In the middle of this chapter, God says that Israel has long been chasing the wind (gods that have no real power) and that now that storm is
In the middle of this chapter, God says that Israel has long been chasing the wind (gods that have no real power) and that now that storm is
coming back on them with destruction. Of all that they have planted, they will harvest nothing. And any morsels that are produced by the harvest will be consumed by foreigners.
As dark and negative as this may sound, it is actually a story of profound love. It is a story of the
As dark and negative as this may sound, it is actually a story of profound love. It is a story of the
Revelation that the Lord gave to John… it is a story for you and me today. You see, in the end none of us will be forced to receive anything other than that which we have constantly demanded and sought for with every effort in our lives. Our choices are very important (they are
divine) and God always honors them. He honors them even if He knows that they are not wise and that they will lead us into the hands of those who hate us and will laugh at us.
No one will ever be in that whirlwind of hell unless they have vehemently asked to be there. No one
No one will ever be in that whirlwind of hell unless they have vehemently asked to be there. No one
will ever be with our Father in heaven unless they have sincerely asked to be with Him with both their words and their deeds. Now let’s see how the Lord describes this scene in Hosea chapter 8:
Israel Harvests the Whirlwind
1 “Sound the alarm! The enemy descends like an eagle on
Israel Harvests the Whirlwind
1 “Sound the alarm! The enemy descends like an eagle on
the people of the Lord,
for they have broken my covenant and revolted against my law.
2 Now Israel pleads with me, ‘Help us, for you are our God!’
3 But it is too late.
The people of Israel have rejected what is good, and now their enemies will chase after them.
4 The people have
for they have broken my covenant and revolted against my law.
2 Now Israel pleads with me, ‘Help us, for you are our God!’
3 But it is too late.
The people of Israel have rejected what is good, and now their enemies will chase after them.
4 The people have
appointed kings without my consent, and princes without my approval.
By making idols for themselves from their silver and gold, they have brought about their own destruction.
5 “O Samaria, I reject this calf— this idol you have made.
My fury burns against you. How long will you
By making idols for themselves from their silver and gold, they have brought about their own destruction.
5 “O Samaria, I reject this calf— this idol you have made.
My fury burns against you. How long will you
be incapable of innocence?
6 This calf you worship, O Israel, was crafted by your own hands!
It is not God! Therefore, it must be smashed to bits.
7 “They have planted the wind and will harvest the whirlwind.
The stalks of grain wither and produce nothing to eat.
And even if
6 This calf you worship, O Israel, was crafted by your own hands!
It is not God! Therefore, it must be smashed to bits.
7 “They have planted the wind and will harvest the whirlwind.
The stalks of grain wither and produce nothing to eat.
And even if
there is any grain, foreigners will eat it.
8 The people of Israel have been swallowed up; they lie among the nations like an old discarded pot.
9 Like a wild donkey looking for a mate, they have gone up to Assyria.
The people of Israel have sold themselves— sold themselves to
8 The people of Israel have been swallowed up; they lie among the nations like an old discarded pot.
9 Like a wild donkey looking for a mate, they have gone up to Assyria.
The people of Israel have sold themselves— sold themselves to
many lovers.
10 But though they have sold themselves to many allies, I will now gather them together for judgment.
Then they will writhe under the burden of the great king.
11 “Israel has built many altars to take away sin, but these very altars became places for sinning!
10 But though they have sold themselves to many allies, I will now gather them together for judgment.
Then they will writhe under the burden of the great king.
11 “Israel has built many altars to take away sin, but these very altars became places for sinning!
12 Even though I gave them all my laws, they act as if those laws don’t apply to them.
13 The people love to offer sacrifices to me, feasting on the meat, but I do not accept their sacrifices.
I will hold my people accountable for their sins, and I will punish them. They will
13 The people love to offer sacrifices to me, feasting on the meat, but I do not accept their sacrifices.
I will hold my people accountable for their sins, and I will punish them. They will
return to Egypt.
14 Israel has forgotten its Maker and built great palaces, and Judah has fortified its cities.
Therefore, I will send down fire on their cities and will burn up their fortresses.” - Hosea 8:1-14
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14 Israel has forgotten its Maker and built great palaces, and Judah has fortified its cities.
Therefore, I will send down fire on their cities and will burn up their fortresses.” - Hosea 8:1-14
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