Lessons for July 29
EXPLORE THE BIBLE:
God is looking for deeply devoted humble hearts
___ Hosea 6:1-7:16
___By Jeane Law
___First Baptist Church, Lubbock
___Some feel the first three verses of Hosea chapter 6 were spoken by Hosea, and others feel they were spoken by the people, who were very insincere, because they didn't truly turn back to God. I'm going to take the position of Hosea speaking them, for it would be appropriate for him to say to the people: "Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us; he has injured us, but he will bind up our wounds (v. 1) ... Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises he
will appear; he will come to us like the spring rains, like the spring rains that water the earth" (v. 3).
___These were words of hope, and promise of God's love and faithfulness to them, if they would turn back to God, repent and change their ways.
___But they didn't change their ways. Following this call to repentance, God laments in 1:4: "What can I do with you Ephraim (Israel)? What can I do with you Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears." They have brought their sacrifices and offerings to the temple and pretended to return to him, but their lives give no testimony to a relationship with him.
___True revival is not a temporary thing with no lasting effect on a person's life. God wants people whose hearts are deeply devoted to loving him and who are willing to acknowledge his lordship over them. He doesn't accept temporary change that lasts through a day or so. He doesn't want us to simply say, "I'm sorry God," in a Sunday night worship service where we acknowledge a sinful attitude or action in our lives, and then several days later, after the glow of the spiritual moment has dimmed, fall back into the same pattern of conduct. Participation in a few religious services will not satisfy God, for he wants to see evidence of a changed life. That begins with true repentance and changed behavior.
___Why do you attend church? People attend church for reasons such as worship, fellowship, music, to see friends, to look good, to model good citizenship, to set a good example for children, to study Scripture, etc. Some support the church through tithes and offerings and some do not. What is the motive for giving? Is love for God just a Sunday morning thing? Does it disappear on Monday "like the morning mist"?
___A key verse in the book of Hosea is verse 6:6, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God, rather than burnt offerings." God desires that our corporate worship would lead to lives of service with him and mercy toward our fellowman. We must be careful that we don't simply check off "attended church" and then live our lives as we wish with no regard for God's purpose for us as his people.
___Why are some willing to teach and serve and others are not? These words of chapters 6 and 7 remind us that God sees all we do--and all we don't do. "I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel" (v. 10).
___Even though God sent his judgments and warnings to the people, they continued to ignore him. In verse 7 he says, "Like Adam, they have broken the covenant, they were unfaithful to me." He wants to heal Israel, but they continue to do evil and refuse to turn back to him.
___In Chapter 7 he names their sinful actions. They practice deceit, break into people's houses and rob people in the streets. They have no concept of a holy God of justice who sees, hates and punishes sin. Their spiritual leaders have failed to teach them.
___He describes the political leaders as having hearts like an oven, heated with the passion for power. Four kings are assassinated during Hosea's time, with no regard to God's annointing the kings. "All of them are hot as an oven; they devour their rulers. All their kings fall and none of them calls on me" (7:7).
___They exercised no faith in God for their protection. They flitted like a dove from one alliance with a country to another. They were constantly seeking ways to protect themselves by gaining help from other nations. They never considered trusting God, even though they were on the brink of disaster (vv. 8-11).
___And then, like the mourning voice of one at the funeral of a loved one, God says: "Because they have strayed from me, destruction to them. Because they have rebelled against me, I long to redeem them, but they speak lies against me" (v.13). In verse 15 he says, "I trained them and strengthened them, but they plot evil against me." Aren't these sad words? Can't you feel his sorrow as you read them? His judgment falls. "For this they will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt (v.16). They will be enslaved again.
___As I have read and studied the Scriptures, my heart has become very heavy with the weight of Israel's sin. It was a terrible thing for a loving God to endure. Ask God to forgive the sins in your life today that cause him sorrow.
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