Take Two: Hosea 13, Proverbs 18

Hosea 13: 1-6 is a picture of something that I see often among others and in myself at times. Here, the prophet says that the people began to worship false gods–baal (v.1). Even though their conduct was judged, they continued down the path and adopted more and more idolatry (v.2). God expresses to them through the prophet that they are headed (in a hurry) away from Him and directly toward strict and overwhelming judgment (v.3). Now here is the amazing part…and the part that I see in myself and others. v.4-6a remind us that they came to the place they were by the grace of God. He delivered them, cared for them, and blessed them. In the midst of their “blessing” they became proud. As grandma would say, “they got too big for their britches.”

The great danger for all of us is the statement in the last part of verse 6, “And being satisfied, their heart became proud; therfore, they forgot about me.” If there every were a commentary on my greatest struggles, it would be that at times I stop seeking to move forward, become stagnant, and end up losing sight of how God brought me to that place. (Sounds like a sermon to me….)

In the remaining verses, we see that God pronounces judgment. He, in a very illustrative way, shows that His wrath has been building up (v.13). He says that judgment will come suddenly and swiftly (v.7-8). He says that He will not deliver them from the judgment once it begins (v.14).

Tomorrow we will wrap up this book, but hopefully we will not lose sight of this message. When we forget the grace that saved us, or become satisfied and proud, we fail to complete the purpose for which we were made. As such, we invite the judgment of God in our lives. There are two motivations that affect people’s decisions to pursue God in earnest. One is the desire to see God’s glory manifested. Some desire to see great things! Others desire to avoid bad things/judgment. God gives a picture of both in His Word…because He wants us to come….

Proverbs 18:1 is the takeaway today. “He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.” This is a powerful proverb that would serve us all well if we would allow it. It is a statement about those of us who “make up our mind” and “don’t want anyone to change it.” When a person withdraws from wise counsel, thinking they have the right answer…it is not only an indication of pride, but it is a danger to him. We would do well to realize that our bias is for our own self-interest and our self-interest is often at odds with God’s wise purpose for our lives. A person seeking wisdom does not withdraw to himself and shut out other reasonable voices; rather, he understands that there is wisdom in the counsel of others…and if good and godly people think he should go a different direction…it is not necessarily that they do not understand. It may be that they have a better “bead” on what God desires than the person seeking counsel. We would do well to rely on community wisdom at times in our lives rather than our own.

Grace,

Take Two: Hosea 14, Proverbs 19

The 14th chapter concludes this book written by the prophet Hosea. Its content reflects the heart of God as He draws on and appeals to the people of Israel once again.

V.1 is the call to return. Nothing fancy. No great process to embrace to get ready to “meet thy Maker.” Just “Return to the Lord.” Vv.2-3 give the substance of repentance. Now this is pretty key because some want to just “slip back in” after they “slipped out” and act like nothing has happened.

This is not God’s way and the reasons are simple: God desires and deserves the glory in our Redemption and Restoration…so, we refused Him glory by leaving and further refuse Him glory by returning and acting like it is “no big deal” or “our idea.” Now I am not a big fan of church as some kind of “show” or a series of strung together rituals…but I wonder if it would not be more glorifying to God to actually acknowledge our failure, repentance, and God’s restoration.

In 1996, after having gone through a pretty difficult time which is too lengthy to discuss in any detail here, a man spoke at a Sunday night service at our church. He came to speak to me and the 450 other people were there to witness. (Yes this is leading up to my 1 John 1:9…sermonette.) Marvin called for a commitment that night. He asked us to commit to God. 30-35 of us came forward that night to simply admit before our church family that we were headed in a wrong way and had yielded to God that night. Marvin did the unspeakable that night…he went up and down the line of people that were standing in front of the whole church (with everyone staring at us) and began to verify what we were doing there. He was questioning for first time decisions. He was asking about rededications (which is a bad Baptist word for repentance and restoration…but that too is another sermon.) He even paused at me when I spoke of my rededication. I was so broken up over the course I had been on…he thought he had a “first time” salvation on his hands.

Now some of you may be cringing at the thought of having some of your “laundry” on display in front of a church. In fact, you cringe every week. During the invitation, you consider coming and kneeling at the altar and praying…but then are reminded that it will only extend the protracted service…people will wonder if you are a mass murderer…whether you wore an outfit that covers everything if you kneel…or whether you will be able to get back up once you get down. These are things that have afflicted me (except the clothing that covers– since I quit wearing dresses over a week ago…JOKING). This is nothing but PRIDE and it is always a sin when it steals from God’s glory.

When we move from our repentance forward in the text: we see God healing their/our apostasy (which is a bible word for “backsliding” or “falling away”). We see God’s restoration of His people to a place of glory…a place of usefulness…a place of protection…and a place of fruitfulness again. What brings this all on?

Simply stated: The heart of a Heavenly Father who says, Come; The yieldedness of a person who says “Have mercy on me”; the work of a Savior who says, “It is finished”; and the promise of God that says, “Welcome home.”

Proverbs 19: 18 is a takeaway today. “Discipline your son while there is hope and do not desire his death.”

One could take this verse a lot of different ways…but here is where I think it is going. As parents, we must be diligent to use every opportunity to instruct our children in the ways of a godly person. We must not stop this, but must be all the more diligent as they age and as we continue to have influence. To not do so, is to (implicitly) desire their separation for God. In other words, when we fail to do as we have been called to do…we set them up for failure. Our discipline is not a burden to them (though they say it is); rather, it is the empowerment and equipping that helps them enjoy fruitful lives. So, since someone has to pay the price…it must be us.

Grace,

Take Two: Hosea 12, Proverbs 17

In Hosea 12, we see a parallel/explanation between the current activities and sins of Israel and Judah to the actions of Israel (Jacob) in Genesis. The Prophet is making an argument that his readers are seeking to struggle and control their own destiny (just as Jacob/Israel did), yet his blessing came when he yielded and trusted in God rather than his own efforts.

In vv.1-2, we are reminded that instead of trusting in God as provider and protector, Israel sought out a protection treaty and trade treaty with Assyria and with Egypt. They were acting as if they must control their own destiny. Let me illustrate this in a modern day approach.

A friend of mine shared with me that when he went to Seminary, God was trying to teach him to trust Him (a revelation he gained after the events I am about to share). He went to school all morning, slept in the afternoon, and worked 3d shift doing manual labor. One day, the car quit working (transmission I think). To that point, whenever a need had arisen, he would pray and God would show a way out in pretty short order- within days. On this car incident, my friend prayed. After which (thinking he could not wait a couple of days to fix his car since he needed it to get to work and school) he found a mechanic and charged the repairs on Discover Card at 21% interest.

Now catch this: God had shown Himself to be faithful to this point, but my friend felt it important to secure his own ride. That credit card bill haunted him for months. After going for a couple of days of real suffering…his boss called him into the office. (This is months after the transportation problem). His boss, who had never helped him before with extra needs…asked him what was wrong, paid for the car repairs, and bought them some basic needs. This was the same way God had provided for him at all of the other challenges. My friend learned from this that it is not enough to simply pray to God…but one must rest in relying on God’s character and faithfulness.

In the same way, God had proven Himself faithful to His people, yet now they saw fit to begin to secure their own protection. In vv.3-6, we see the same parallel…that Jacob wrestled to provide for himself, even from the womb…but he found peace when learning to yield to God’s way over his own.

v.11 stuck out to me in the next section and I will wrap up Hosea with it. The false altars are like the rocks that one tills up when working new ground. Is there anything worse than digging or tilling and hitting rock after rock? No! On the surface, the worship practices may have seemed benign, but they were in fact great stumbling blocks and dangerous to the people.

Proverbs 17:12 is my takeaway today. “Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly (foolishness).” Now that is a strong statement about hanging out with and getting involved with the ideas of those who pursue things other than God’s agenda.

Take Two: Hosea 11, Proverbs 16

Hosea 11 is a great chapter for me. It is a favorite from my days growing up in “revival” meetings…because it speaks of those who have been away from God… coming back to Him. I seemed to find myself in that position more often than I would have wanted…or care to admit.

In vv.1-4 God is seen as the tender One that He is. Much has been said of judgment due to His righteous response to their sin. Sometimes, we can see God as One who sits high and takes note of our actions so he can “slam” us for all of our bad deeds. We think (at times and incorrectly) that God simply wants to be dispassionate and judgmental. The fact is…God’s righteousness is not a “DISPASSIONATE” response to our sin; rather, it is His very PASSIONATE response to our sin. In these verses, God sees us in our young/youthful days. He sees us when we simply followed by faith. He also sees how we are drawn away from him by our lusts and desires. A dispassionate God could make a perfect case at that point to “smoke” us. We would have it coming.

vv.5-7 state that they will not go back to Egypt, but they will be oppressed by Assyria. Why? In v. 1 God made a point of noting that they were called “out of Egypt.” Though judgement is coming due to their sin (Assyrian Captivity), God has not abandoned them (sent them back to Egypt). Take heart friend…though we may “backslide” or slip away from God at times…once He has led us out of our Egypt (lostness), we will never go back there. We will receive consequences for our bad actions…but not as a vengeful response to our sin; rather, as a means by which God gets us back into fellowship. (Luke 15 is a good follow-up to that if you want it).

vv.8-9, display God as a tender parent who cannot simply walk away. He also cannot utterly destroy in execution of His judgment. He loves them too much.

v.10-11, God’s actions are effective. They turn and walk after the Lord. Notice that they walk after Him as the roaring lion. Some see this as a Messianic prophesy pertaining to the Millenial Kingdom. I am not certain it “has to” mean this…but it certainly could. Here is what it does mean. Ultimately, the strength and power of the Lord, though it executed judgment against all unrighteousness (even theirs), drew His people back to Him.

What draws you? Isn’t it both God’s righteousness lived out before you- even in judgment…tempered with your knowledge that He is compassionate toward you, desiring you to be free from oppression and free in Christ?

Proverbs 16: 23 is my takeaway today. “The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.”

A person’s speech comes from the very meditations of his heart. A wise man’s mouth reveals the wise man’s heart. What he chooses to say is wisdom. His wisdom is not only in content (what He says) but in the context (how he says it). On top of his wisdom, is persuasiveness in how he communicates. Oh that God would make us both wise and persuasive in all we say today.

Grace,

Take Two: Hosea 10, Proverbs 15

Sorry to not have put up a new post since Friday. I was out of town leading a Men’s Conference on Saturday and (honestly) I was too tired on Sunday to write anything. I tried to type some stuff but everything was jumbled up like I had never seen a keyboard before.

As we come to the last chapter of Hosea, we see here in chapter 10 more on the coming judgment against Israel’s sin. Several elements are discussed. The pridefulness of the people and their utter independence from God are what struck me the most as I read this. In vv. 1-2, there is a correlation between what the people have (possessions/wealth) and their worship (response to God). The more fruit- the more altars; the richer the land- the better the places of worship (v.1). Notice how God evaluates that: (v.2) “Their heart is faithless, now they must bear their guilt.”

The acts of worship were there, but they were in proportion to what they had…what they had acquired. Their “worship” was from abundance. It was driven by emotion. They were the final decision makers on when and how they would worship. Not God.

God has not called us to worship him when it is convenient or in a manner that fits our checkbook or horoscope. He has called us to a faithful response to Him, His Word, and His expressed will. When we respond in faith to Him…we come to see that we are satisfied with what we have (possessions). Here is the key though…We may not store up abundance in possession because of our worship of Him…but we find joy and contentment in what we have…whether it is the bare necessities, or an abundance. This was what the Apostle Paul was speaking of in Philippians 4. His faithful response toward God, meant he had joy in God…whether he was hungry or eating a 22 oz. Ribeye. (okay the steak is my idea! )

Proverbs 15:25 is the takeaway for me today. “The Lord will tear down the house of the proud, but he will establish the boundary of the widow.” Now this verse dows not mean God is into house demolition. It means that those who trust in anything other than God will be utterly disappointed. The last phrase explains this. God will establish the boundary (the provision of land that will sustain her) for the widow (the one who has placed her trust wholly and completely in Him.) In other words, the only reliable means of providing for oneself is to trust in God alone and KNOW that He will provide.

Grace,

Take Two: Hosea 9, Proverbs 12

Chapter 9 continues with the statements of judgment against Israel for her “harlotry”…that is, her forsaking of the worship fo Yahweh exclusively (as He revealed). A couple of interesting verses jumped out at me.

In v.1, Israel is told that they are not to rejoice with exultation like the nations. It is a difficult concept as written, but likely means that Israel CANNOT rejoice like the nations around them. Here is why. They were the chosen (elect) people of God. As such, they could not just abandon God and try something else. It would bring no joy. As we discussed before, God loves us too much to allow us to be satisfied with substitutes. He will insure that the substitutes never bring real happiness.

Sometimes, I talk with “Christians” who tell me they have given up on “the faith.” As we discuss their situation, I discover that they are miserable. They left the faith because they were “put out” with something that happened and they thought the solution to getting over it was to abandon it. Once you have experienced the reality of the faith, however, nothing else will be able to satisfy. You find yourself constantly having to justify your actions in your mind. You find yourself constantly under conviction for your conduct.

V.4 is also very interesting. They will not pour our wine to the Lord. Their bread will bring defilement and will be for them alone. It will not be brought to the house of the Lord.

This verse is strangely constructed in the original. The best way to understand it is: They will pour out wine (offering) before the Lord but He will not receive it (offering). They will bring bread (offering) but He will not accept it (offering). In other words, they will go through the motions of worship to a degree but God will decide on the acts of worship based on the condition of the worshipper’s heart. One cannot worship God and defile himself on the altar of false religion…expecting that God accepts his worship. Worshipping God is an “all or nothing” situation.

That being said, let me clarify a point. Worshipping God is an “all or nothing” situation. However, we do not do it as designed all the time. Because we do not do it “all right” …does not mean that God “hates” us and refuses everything. It does not mean that we have to get it perfect or just not try. It means that we must be progressing closer to God’s design. We will experience grace as we progress toward God and His design. The closer we get, the more fulfilling the relationship will be.

vv.8-9 are statements of judgment against the priestly leadership of Israel. They have failed to fulfill their responsibilities as God’s watchmen; therefore, judgment will come against them for their sins.

In v.10 we see a beautiful picture of God delight in His people. When Israel was “young” God delighted in her as a wanderer would take delight in finding wild grapes in the wilderness. He delighted in her as a man delights in finding the sweetest of the first harvest of figs (fruit). BUT, Israel turned from delighting in God and, as such, they became detestable. The remaining verses are statements of the resulting judgment. Famine, captivity, wandering, and lack of blessing.

One final observation on the passage. Judgment is in store for them but it could have been avoided…if they had only trusted God and worshipped Him as He deserved. Their consequences are due to their actions…and theirs alone. One cannot reasonably charge God with being unkind or “mean” when He has only acted justly toward His people who chose substitutes over Him and His righteousness.

Proverbs 12:11 is the takeaway for today. “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.”

A couple of impressions:

First, God’s provision comes, often times, through our effort. Yes, God will meet all of our needs; however, there is not reason to say that He must meet them supernaturally. By the diligence of tilling, sowing, cultivating, harvesting, milling, and cooking…man will have bread to eat. No man can reasonably expect that (except in special/unusual circumstances) he can sleep through the harvest and God is somehow still obliged to feed him.

Second, the opposite of tilling the land is to pursue worthless things. the pursuer of worthless things lacks sense…or, (literally) “lacks heart.” In my own observation, one of the elements that seems to be lacking in people I meet is “work ethic.” I watched my dad work his job and a couple of extra jobs most of my life growing up. This was not so that we could have “extra,” but in order to provide necessity. In his example, he taught me work ethic. I pray that I will teach the same to my sons and not come to embrace what is becoming increasingly popular in the modern era: to encourage him to just accept whatever comes his way without striving to improve his circumstance in life.

Grace,

Take Two: Hosea 8, Proverbs 11

Chapter 8 is a statement of the coming judgment on Israel (and Judah) as a result of their acting in their own wisdom and in trusting God. They would disagree in this and say that they did trust God…but God is the ultimate judge of whether a person (or a nation) acts appropriately.

In vv.1-2 it states that the enemy is coming upon Israel because they broke the covenant and rebelled. The response of Israel is, “Why us? We know God.” Many Christians today respond in like kind. They find themselves overwhelmed with financial pressure, suffering with poor family lives, and struggling to make God-honoring decisions. They ask, “Why is this happening? I am a Christian.” Could it be that they say that they are God-followers…yet they pursue their own agenda with their finances, family, and choices to make? Isn’t the very nature of being a Christian that we are committed followers of Christ and trust in Christ alone as our leader?

Some may say, “Well I am only human. I am not perfect.” Is that not letting ourselves off the hook a little easy? After all…should not our goal be to pursue God “perfectly” in every respect? We seek to learn all we can…and as we do, we align ourselves with God EVEN WHEN its seems difficult?

Vv. 3-13 give more details of the judgment and the cause for it but v.14 summarizes the section well. V.14, “For Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces; and Judah has multiplied fortified cities, but I will send a fire on its cities that it may consume its palatial dwellings.”

Palaces are places of comfort and fortified cities or sanctuaries of protection. God said that His people pursued and established both without His direction and in spite of trusting Him. As a result, because God will not stand by while we accept second best, He will destroy each with righteous “purifying” (fire) judgment.

Perhaps the question for us is, “What are we trusting in other than God? What have we pursued and erected that is not of Him…that actually impedes our seeing God work supernaturally in our lives? Will we repent of these things and surrender them…or require God’s judgment and purification to get us to turn back to Him?”

Proverbs 11: 25 is the takeaway today. “The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.”

It is the law of sowing and reaping. Give yourself away. Give to something greater than you. When you do, you reap blessing in abundance.

Grace,

Take Two: Hosea 6, Proverbs 9

The activities in Chapter 6 through the end of the book can be a bit confusing unless you see it as a big unit…rather than chapter by chapter. Remember, the chapters were added for the sake of reading…later. Hosea did not sit down and write in chapters. He wrote a book. Why do I say this?
Because in Chapter 5 (and before) we were talking about the sins and God’s judgment. In the first 3 verses of Chapter 6, we see a repentent people…but then the theme of their rebellion/falling away is resumed.

Don’t miss the forest for the trees. Hosea is not having a bad day…full of chapters where he keeps going back to “sin and judgment.” He wrote a book on sin and judgment…and God forgiveness for those who would receive His merciful grace. We added the chapters and (because we live in the era we do- 2700 years after this was written) we think that Hosea can’t let it go. That is not the case. Anyway…here goes.

In vv.1-3 we see the people respond to God’s judgment. The punishment has had its intended effect. As a result of the judgment, the people have reexamined their situation and have decided to return to God. V.3 is neat because the characteristic that they point to is God’s unchangable character. Let us know Him…is a recognition of the fact that the only hope that there was…was to return to God.

God indicts their actions in v.4, noting that their new direction and commitment to Him…was as the morning dew and the early fog. In other words, their commitment level to God is less about becoming enamored with God and yielding fully and completely to Him…and is more about turning to God so He will fix their issues. (It is fleeting and will be gone when the sun comes up.)vv.6-7 continue the idea when God states that His delight is in their choosing to follow Him (loyalty) and not in their offerings to absolve their sins (sacrifice). God certainly wants His people to return to Him, repent, respond with sacrifice for sin (He gave them the instructions)…but He wants it done with the right heart. His people, on the other hand, were looking for relief from their circumstances. Just as with Adam, following God was important, but the greatest motivation was self-interest.

This section probably comments on the state of the hearts of many “church people” today. Some may be Christians…living lives that are not fully fulfilling. Others, are just religious…hoping that by doing the religious activity, it might offset the bad they have done in their sinfulness. Either way, there are many people who have sought God through religious activity in order to get something for themselves. While there is a personal benefit to being right with God…seeking God for ones own personal benefit does not equal the commitment that God is looking for. Those that come to the Lord, do so knowing that they have nothing to bring to God. There is nothing about them that is so worthy, that God will be blessed. They come to God saying I have nothing…I am nothing…so have mercy on me. Then, because they are yielded completely, God begins to work in their lives and they benefit.

What is your motivation for following God? Is it a way to put the “Jedi mind trick” on Him…so that He will think you are sold out and will fix your world? Is it a conditional response like…”God if you will do this for me…then, I will follow you?” Or, as it is designed…are you following God because you have come to realize that the very best you have to offer…falls far short of what God desires for you? Have you realized that your response must be one of surrender, commitment, and yieldedness before Him? Have you cried out, “Lord be merciful to me…a sinner?”

Proverbs 9:6 is my takeaway today. “Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding.” In the first five verses we see that Wisdom prepares a banquet but does not force it on anyone. One cannot force wisdom on anyone. Wisdom calls and invites. What is required to gain wisdom…is to forsake folly (foolishness…or the pursuit of man’s ways over God’s) and to proceed in the way of understanding.

Two quick observations:

First, you can’t “ram” wisdom down someone’s throat. You can only present it as an invitation and allow them to respond. (This is a recurring theme in the Scriptures).

Second, the key to gaining wisdom is to proceed (ongoing activity) in the way (system, path) of understanding (wisdom, revelation of God). Doing so, means forsaking (repentance from)folly/foolishness (man’s desires and self-indulgent pursuits.) If one will not forsake foolishness, you can’t try to impose wisdom on him. He won’t get it until he forsakes his ways and proceeds in following the invitation to a better life.

Grace,

Take Two: Hosea 5, Proverbs 8

In the 5th chapter, Hosea continues his charge agaianst the people of Israel. In vv.1-4, we see that the focus appears to be toward the leadership and “backbone” of the society. The Priests (religious institution) and the king (civil leadership) are both mentioned as though Hosea is placing responsibility for the downward slide of the nation on the heads of the leadership…or lack thereof. As seen before, there is great responsibility inherent in the role of leaders…and God places a high standard of judgment on them when they lead others astray. (A New Testament parallel is seen in James 3:1).

Since the theme in this chapter is similar to things we have looked at before, I want to look at two concepts in particular that are new and interesting to me.

In v.4, “Their (Israel’s) deeds will not allow them to return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them.” This is an example of how ones heart becomes hardened and calloused due to sin. Some think that passages like in Exodus (where God hardened Pharoah’s heart) imply that God overrode what Pharoah wanted/desired and supernaturally hardened his heart so that Pharoah would reject God and thus be deserving of God’s judgment. I have a great deal of difficulty with a picture of a God who “stacks the deck” in such a way that man’s freewill is violated. This verse in Hosea sheds light on what I think has taken place. First, the choice of man to sin is what created the obstruction between Israel and God. They were engaged in the sin so long and so intently that they had moved far from God.

Verse 7 says that they have born “illegitimate children,” a reference to the fact that their offspring were more familiar and alligned with Baal worship that God worship. As such, the distance that one must cover to come to know, believe, and place trust in Yahweh has increased…to an almost insurmountable level.

Where I served before, I met many people who were 2 or 3 generations “post-church.” For them, the concept of church had lost its authoritative voice in their lives…much more so than for their parents or their grandparents.

Another example of this happens nearly every Sunday. A sermon is preached about a sin in a person’s life. There is a call for them to repent. As they resist that call to repentence, they move further away from the conviction they felt. To repeatedly resist the call to repent…means that it becomes easier and easier to walk away…thus making it very difficult (if not impossible) to be restored to God.

The Point: Repent Early, Repent Often, Don’t let the sun go down on your sin. When God points out some change that needs to be made in your life…don’t wait until you’re ready. You may not get another chance.

The second idea is in v.10. “The princes of Judah have become like those who move a boundary (stone).” Moving boundary stones was strictly forbidden. It was a cowardly, deceptive way that a man would steal another man’s land (inches or feet at a time). The penalty was judgment of the most severe kind.

The Princes that moved the boundaries could be a picture of their condemnation. It could also be (and I prefer this interpretation) a reference to their slowly allowing the degradation of faithfulness to God to slip away. By accepting more and more evil as acceptable, they slowly led the people astray. As a man stole another man’s land inches and feet at a time, they stole “land” in the heart of man from the one who owns the heart by embracing evil and abominable practices.

The Point: We MUST hold fast to that which was entrusted to us by God and never allow a movement of the boundaries. The standard is the standard…and to change it, is to invite judgment on us and on those who look to leaders as examples of the standard.

Proverbs 8:35 is my takeaway. “For he who finds me (wisdom) finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.” This chapter affirms that wisdom is the key to success and begins with fear (reverence) for the Lord. It affirms that wisdom is timeless (it existed before the world), and being wise magnifies God. Seek to be “wise” today.

Grace,

Take Two: Hosea 4, Proverbs 7

Chapter 4 has left some scholars asking more questions than giving answers. From a literary standpoint, beginning here and moving forward, Hosea’s personal life slips into the background and the charges that God levies against the people through the prophet Hosea take center stage.

In vv.1-2, we see a charge against the people. There is no faithfulness, kindness, or knowledge of God in the land. That is a strong charge and I imagine most of the Israelites would have taken issue with the statement. Kind of like if a pastor stood up on Sunday morning and said “80% of you are bound directly for hell because you hate God and have no knowledge of Grace.” The statement is harsh…and it is parallel to the one Hosea makes here. He makes the charge based on the sins that are being committed. V.2, swearing (by baal), deception, murder…(you get the picture). THE POINT IS: you can say you are religious and love God…but what do your actions say? V. 3 lays out the consequences of judgment on the land.

V.4-10 are a charge against the priests and the religious institution. The priests had not confronted the people, rather, they had come to accomodate the practices of the people. After all, more sin means more offerings (v.8). The anointing of God would no longer be with the priests. God would reject them because they had rejected truth and their responsibilities to safeguard it.
(Paul mentions a similar thought in instructing Timothy to stand firm with the Word because a day would come when people would look for preachers to make them feel good, rather than make them feel uncomfortable).

In v.11-13, God charges that the people had become (at best) syncretistic (adopting other religious practices in addition to their own) and at worst…purely pagan and the thoughts of Yahweh were no more. The people had rejected worship as it was prescribed and decided to have “bible studies, bible fellowships, and home cell groups” under trees because the environment was more agreeable (v.13). In essence, when they made sacrifices there, they got to share in the proceeds and no one felt uncomfortable. The point is not that these assemblies are wrong…only that God did not prescribe it. You cannot call “worship” what God does not see as “worshipful (a worthy response to Him).”

v.14 is pretty strong too because God charges that He will not hold the people (women) alone responsible for the sin…but also the leaders (men) who allowed it to progress. God demands that those who are in positions of responsibility lead. To not do so…means that many people suffer. Someone once said that “all that is necessary for evil to abound is for good men to sit by and do nothing.”

V.15-19 wrap up the section with a warning to Judah (Southern Kingdom) to avoid the practices and coming plight of Israel (Northern Kingdom). Perhaps this warning is extended to us today.

Proverbs 7:24-27 are the takeaway, especially verse 25. “Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths.” The context is obviously a warning to the young man to avoid the temptation and allure of the woman who seeks to entice him away from his standards to fulfilling passions with her. She persuades him and appeals to every sense. If he is not carefule, he will fall prey. This will not happen because he chooses, “I think I want to sin today;” rather, it will occur when he fails to guard himself from that which will turn his heart aside and cause him to stray. The best way to defeat the temptation of sin…is to avoid it.