Tuesday, March 06 2012
Hosea 8
Verse of the Day:V13 “They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.”
1. Israel Forgot Their Law (V1-7)
V1 “Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.”
The LORD refused to accept the people of Israel because they had forgotten Him and His law, and had chosen to build and worship the golden calf, and enjoy the pleasures of sins.
V5 “Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?”
2. Israel Forgot Their Land (V8-12)
V8 “Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.”
The Lord refused to accept the people of Israel or Ephraim, because they had followed the ways of the Gentiles or the world. They had gone to Assyria for business and pleasures, and had forgotten their God and their land. God desired His chosen people, the people of Israel, to remain in Israel, their own land, but they had chosen to stay in Assyria.
V9 “For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.”
3. Israel Forgot Their LORD (V13-14)
V13 “They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.”
What hurt God most was His own people, the people of Israel and Judah, had sacrificed their precious children in worshipping the golden calf just to receive blessings of material wealth and worldly pleasures. They had failed to realise that only their true and living God could give them the real blessings of eternal joy and peace. They had totally forgotten their Lord, their Maker, and all that He had done in and through their lives.
V14 “For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please accept me and help me to remember You and obey Your law.
