Hosea 1-3
Day 167 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith)
continues with a study of Hosea, a prophet whom God calls to marry a promiscuous woman (Gomer), as this experience is used as an analogy for how Israel sought foreign gods rather than God (Hosea 1:2). Gomer gives birth to three children and the names given to these children - Jezreel or God sows, Lo-Ruhamah or not loved, and Lo-Ammi or not my people - all reflect God's plans for Israel as foreign invaders will overcome Israel. John MacArthur indicates that for the time being Judah is spared (Hosea 1:7) as God intervenes "on behalf of Hezekiah"(see 2 Kings 19) - this will be covered in more detail in the coming days as my study of Hosea is split across three days.
God's words to prepare Hosea include sharing God's anger with Israel, as well as his plans for forgiveness and acceptance following repentance.
Several key takeaways this morning:
- We must acknowledge where life and our blessings come from - we cannot exist without God. (Hosea 2:8); Israel stopped doing this and drifted away from God.
- Just as God disciplines Israel, we should view discipline as training.
- Forgiveness awaits those who repent.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has demonstrated unbelievable mercy, compassion, forgiveness and acceptance for me! Thank You Jesus. I am not deserving of such love. I sin...worry and more. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” Hosea 2:23
God's words to prepare Hosea include sharing God's anger with Israel, as well as his plans for forgiveness and acceptance following repentance.
Several key takeaways this morning:
- We must acknowledge where life and our blessings come from - we cannot exist without God. (Hosea 2:8); Israel stopped doing this and drifted away from God.
- Just as God disciplines Israel, we should view discipline as training.
- Forgiveness awaits those who repent.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has demonstrated unbelievable mercy, compassion, forgiveness and acceptance for me! Thank You Jesus. I am not deserving of such love. I sin...worry and more. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
