Monday, February 13 2012
Hosea 5
Verse of the Day: V15 “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.”
1. God Knows (V1-5)
V3 “I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.”
Prophet Hosea warned the priests, the king and the nation of Israel that God knew their sins of immorality and pride. Ephraim was another name of Israel, and Hosea warned the people of Ephraim or Israel that God’s judgment shall be upon them if they rebelled against Him. The people of Ephraim and Israel and even Judah were so proud of themselves that they thought they could hide their sins from God. However they failed to realise that God was omnipresent or all present, and omniscient or all knowing, and they could never hide from Him. Indeed, God knows everything and He is everywhere.
V5 “And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them.”
2. God Withdraws (V6-14)
V6 “They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.”
God withdrew Himself from the people of Israel because they had grievously sinned against Him, even though the people tried to seek Him. Not only had the people sinned against God, but even their children had also sinned against God. Indeed, God withdraws Himself from us and even our children if we do not confess and forsake our sins.
V7 “They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.”
3. God Returns (V15)
V15 “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.”
Prophet Hosea reminded the priests, the king and the people of Israel to seek God early in their afflictions and sufferings, and to acknowledge their offence and sins, and not to wait until God’s judgment was upon them. Indeed, God shall return to us and be with us in all our afflictions and sufferings if we acknowledge our sins and seek His face early.
“O GOD, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;” (Psalms 63:1)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to seek You early and daily in all my sufferings.
