Hosea 1:1-3:5 + 1 John 5:1-21 + Psalm 124:1-8 + Proverbs 29:5-8
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Old Testament – Alright, today is a big day! We start The Book of the Twelve, or the Minor Prophets. Basically, this means we are in the last 12 books now of the Old Testament, and all of them are pretty short books by various prophets. These 12 prophets were contemporaries of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel and their books parallel these three books. These 12 aren’t called “minor” prophets in that they were “lesser” than others – but, they are called “minor” because their books are shorter. The first prophet of The Book of the Twelve we start today is Hosea. Hosea prophesied in about 750 B.C. in the northern kingdom of Israel – which was rare. Most of the prophets were in the southern kingdom of Judah. Hosea lived during the final / last days of the northern kingdom, which ended in 722 B.C. Below is an image of Hosea with the five kings: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah and Jeroboam, and with his wife, Gomer, from a 14th century illuminated Bible:
~ Hosea ~
Author: Hosea
Date: Eighth century B.C.
Content: The book of Hosea consists of two unequal parts, the first containing Hosea’s life (chapters 1-3) and the second containing Hosea’s messages (chapters 4-14). Hosea was a prophet to the northern Kingdom of Israel prior to its fall in 722 B.C., and his ministry spanned some forty years. He was a contemporary of Amos, Isaiah, and Micah. Hosea’s unhappy marriage life depicted symbolically the state of affairs in his nation. Just as his wife left home for a life of prostitution, so Israel had left God to seek after false gods. But as Hosea continued to love his wife and finally brought her home again, so God continued to love Israel and promised to restore her someday.
Theme: Two things stand in marked contrast in the book of Hosea: the love of God and the waywardness of Israel. God is depicted as faithful, caring, forgiving, kind, and loving. God’s unfailing love is the theme of the book. Israel is seen as faithless, straying, sinful, rebellious, and wanton. She is characterized by ignorance of what God requires and total lack of desire to please God. However, just as Hosea’s love triumphed in the end, so will God’s love work a miracle of transformation in Israel. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 15) A wonderful commentary on the book of Hosea by Hampton Keathley IV is at this link. Below is an image for the traditional tomb of the prophet Hosea near the Jordanian mountain called Jabel Osha (Osha is Arabic for Hosea):
Hosea chapter 1 certainly stands out right away – with God commanding Hosea to marry a prostitute, Gomer. The purpose of this relationship is to parallel Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. You’ll note that the names of the children born to Gomer get progressively worse for the people of Israel – 1. Jezreel, or “God scatters” 2. Lo-ruhamah–`Not loved’- 3. Verse 9 provides the worse name that could be bestowed to symbolize God’s relationship with Israel: “And the LORD said, “Name him Lo-ammi–`Not my people’–for Israel is not my people, and I am not their God.” Ouch…. This is about as bad as it can get for Israel. Below is an image of Hosea, Gomer and their 3 children:
Fortunately, we see redemption in verse 10: “Yet the time will come when Israel will prosper and become a great nation. In that day its people will be like the sands of the seashore–too many to count! Then, at the place where they were told, `You are not my people,’ it will be said, `You are children of the living God.'” Whew! This applies to most of us reading this as well – Gentiles. This is the beginning of the mission to the Gentiles after the time of Jesus. Do you we believe we are part of this promise? That we are parts of the sands of the seashore? That we are children of the living God?
Chapter 2 is a powerful “legal case” against Israel and her unfaithfulness to God. Verse 8 stood out to me in this chapter today: “She doesn’t realize that it was I who gave her everything she has–the grain, the wine, the olive oil. Even the gold and silver she used in worshiping the god Baal were gifts from me!” Do we realize that everything we have comes from God? Everything? Do we misuse any of these gifts from God in our life in ways that would not be pleasing to God? Could God bring a “legal case” or “lawsuit” against us today for misusing his gifts to us?
Chapter 3 brings us redemption again for Israel. Verse 5 I believe applies to us today – we who are in the last days (all the days after the life of Jesus) – “But afterward the people will return to the LORD their God and to David’s descendant, their king. They will come trembling in awe to the LORD, and they will receive his good gifts in the last days.” Have you returned to Jesus? Jesus who is from the line of David? Is Jesus your king? Are you receiving God’s good gifts through your awe and faith in God through Jesus?
Bible Project: Here is a terrific video overview of the book of Hosea!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE6SZ1ogOVU
New Testament – We finish the book of First John this today! What a great book it has been for me this year. I hope it has been a blessing for you as well. Verses 3 & 4 in 1 John chapter 5 are powerful: “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and really, that isn’t difficult. For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory.” Do you love God by keeping his commandments? Do you trust Jesus to give you the victory over evil in this world? Does your trust in Jesus make keeping God’s commandments not difficult?
Verses 14 & 15 are good reflections on how we should pray – and that we should pray: “And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for.” Do you pray confidently, asking God for things that are in line with his will? Do you know that God is listening to your prayers? Are you sure that he will give you what you ask for, if it is in line with his will?
And verse 21 is a powerful end to this book of 1 John: “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” Is there anything in your life that might take the place of God in your heart? Will you turn this idol over to God? Will you keep away from this idol? Will you allow God to take the primary place in your heart and your mind?
Psalms – I read in a commentary that Psalm 124 was likely a call and response from a Levitical priest and worshipers. Verses 1 through 5 were likely spoken by the priest and verses 6 through 8 were the response of the people. Great way to read this Psalm! Even though this Psalm title says it is a “Psalm of David”, some commentaries believe this Psalm is post-exile from Babylon based on verse 8: “We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free!” Though, I could see that verse apply to Davidic times too. Verse 8 is a joyful response that hopefully each one of us can sing confidently: “Our help is from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth.” Amen and Amen!
Proverbs – Today in Proverbs chapter 29 verse 7 we read: “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.” Do you care about justice for the poor? Are you involved in caring for the poor locally and internationally on a regular basis? Do you contribute financially to organizations that care for the poor? Do you volunteer with organizations that care for the poor?
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the Casting Crowns song “Oh My Soul:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpWokMht2sE
How’s your Soul these days? Click here for Soul Care!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:3-4 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you love God. Pray that you keep his commands. Pray that your faith is helping you overcome the world.
Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
======= Ramona:
Hosea 1-3:5 & 1 John 5:1-21
Today, in both these books, at least in today’s readings I see the same theme: Love. Not love in a general sense, or in a touchy feely warm fuzzes kind of love but in a true understanding of what “Love” is and it’s application.
Hos 3:1 And the Lord said to me, Give your love again to a woman who has a lover and is false to her husband, even as the Lord has love for the children of Israel, though they are turned to other gods and are lovers of grape-cakes.
This verse confirms for me that love, The God kind of Love, is an act of the will and not a response of the emotions. This is not the I love you because … kind of thing.
In the 1 John reading beginning with verse two of chapter five, we read,
1Jo 5:1-3 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born from God, and everyone who loves the parent also loves the child. (2) This is how we know that we love God’s children: we love God and keep his commandments. (3) For this is the love of God: that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not difficult,
Here again love is an act of the will and is also verb. Love is doing the will of the Father. Jesus said the same thing in the Gospel of John,
Joh 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commandments.
Love is willing yourself to do the commands of God. Love is a choice and not an emotional response.
I have pondered this thing called love, at least the God kind of Love for a long time and I’ve come to the conclusion that we try to take our understanding on love and superimpose it on the Word of God and His Christ. No, we need to find out what God’s way of “loving” is and take it upon ourselves to follow after Him and not try to force our understanding upon God. Love is an action word, it is a verb.
Could it be that we first do Love, then the emotions will follow?
Grace and peace,
Ramona
====== Anka:
Hosea is a book that shows God’s grace…we really don’t deserve anything but punishment.Our hearts are evil,our thoughts lead us astray…All God asks us to do is come back in humility and ask God for forgiveness.We need to pray for love towards one another,there are times I see brothers/sisters respond in an attitude that’s far from love….When you think what someone knows/thinks is nonsense,ask yourself who gives knowledge…then thank God for what in know by humbly sharing your gift.When a brother sins,pray…don’t judge so you don’t get judged….when you correct someone…watch your motives.I pray to God to reveal my heart to me so by His grace I may repent and walk in His ways.On our own we are nothing,everything we have is because God allows it.
God bless you all
Anka
====== Micah Girl:
Hosea’s faithful love for Gomer is unbelievable. He woos her after she has been unfaithful in the most public and disgraceful way. He buys her time and begs her to stay with him faithfully. And she’s not done sinning.
God does that for me. He woos me and “buys back” my time so that he can spend it with me. Because of His unbelievable love.
Wow.
Micah Girl
======= Jenny:
Of course I believe God will grant us anything we ask if it’s in accordance to HIS will. The problem is many times we may ask for things and He says no and we have trouble accepting this…or in my case. It’s because my will needs to be altered and aligned with His will. But the more I grow spiritually and the older I get, I see what I thought was what I wanted, wasn’t correct, I see, in hindsight, if God had given it to me, I’d be in big trouble. Sometimes we are feeling we have a need God is not fulfilling, but we must realize His ways are not our ways. It doesnt always make sense to us. Honestly, sometimes I think I know what I want and I dont understand why God doesnt grant me this. I just have to trust He knows better and He has given me all I need right now. That can be tough when our flesh is waring against us, not to mention powers of darkness deceiving us.
I had a Q about Proverbs, maybe someone can answer: “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.” I see many unbelievers who are very caring and are very concerned about the poor and helping ppl, some much more then believers I know, some more then myself even. So, I dont quite undersand this…anyone have some insight?
A while back I was gonna go on a missions trip to MX with my church, the trip would be about 5 days and we were gonna leave around Sept 13th, 2001. Then 9/11 happened so the borders were closed and we had to postpone. Even then…many ppl who were gonna go, backed out, so when we went weeks later, the group was much smaller. The pastor at our church was talking about this and was quite unhappy about why Christians were afraid to go (remember that time, ppl were afraid to travel) because at the same time another group was going to MX, i think Habitat for Humanity, mostly nonbeleivers in that group. Their group didnt shrink at all, everyone went still. My pastor spoke on what a bad witness that was. He was quite upset at this and I dont blame him! Here, we who profess faith in Christ were too scared to leave, but the unbelievers didnt let that fear stop them in going to help out others. I know we are not perfect, but I still remember that…. It bothered me….
Jenny
====== Pat:
Jenny, you don’t have to be a Christian to be a good person but just being a good person will not result in salvation. There are nonbelievers who live by the Christian concepts and principles even though they have never accepted Christ. They are honest, compassionate, fair, hard working, respect the law, are faithful spouses, work diligently on civic projects and give freely to the poor because of their innate nature to be good. It is not unusual for good people to develop without having been exposed much to religion of any type. We can’t say that all Christians are good or all nonbelievers are bad. What we can say is that God set the standards by which all people should live. In addition, God offered us a simple plan of salvation through Christ that would allow us to live eternally with Him in an environment of pure love and righteousness. How beautiful that will be! To me it’s even sadder to see a really good person not accept Christ than it is to see a murderer not accept Christ, even though both are equally lost, because the good person is already enacting on the nature God instilled in them. Sadly, many times really good people are the hardest to win to Christ because they depend on their own goodness instead of seeing a need for Christ in their lives.
God Bless!
Pat
====== Sue:
Jenny, you asked:
“I had a Q about Proverbs, maybe someone can answer: “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.” I see many unbelievers who are very caring and are very concerned about the poor and helping ppl, some much more then believers I know, some more then myself even. So, I dont quite undersand this…anyone have some insight?”
I think sometimes we based our conclusions on what is evident to our eyes (like when Samuel anointed Saul king of Israel or like when he went to Jesse and saw all of David’s brothers and thought they would be the ones God had chosen to replace Saul as king–yet it was David, the lowly shepherd, the youngest son whom God chose). God sees the heart, and He knows who is righteous. Remember, our righteousness is in Jesus, not in ourselves.
I wonder if those “Habitat for Humanity” people were going to actually help the poor or if their hope was to gain some prestige or gratitude for their service, whereas, what was the motive of those from your missions trip? Did they want God glorified?
God sees our heart, and He judges who is “righteous,” while we can be easily fooled by “appearances.”
Some of those from the H4H group may have been “believers” but not really vocal about it, while some of those from your church may have been “pew warmers” yet appeared very “righteous.” Only God knows our hearts.
Hope this helps in your understanding.
Sue
======= Mae:
This kept going through my mind after reading verse 14 & 15 …
I asked for Strength
And God gave me Difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom
And God gave me Problems to solve.
I asked for Prosperity
And God gave me Brain and Brawn to work.
I asked for Courage
And God gave me Danger to overcome.
I asked for Love
And God gave me Troubled People to help.
I asked for Favor
And God gave me Opportunities.
I got nothing I wanted.
But I received everything I needed.
Mae
======= Ramona (comment #2):
Hosea 1:1-3:5
Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. (Hos 2:6)
The above verse floored me. God has told wayward Israel that He will no longer love her (To Love or not to Love is a choice centered in the will; it is not an emotion) and is allowing her to go her own way but he has put barriers around her so she will not go to far.
How many of us “think” we are “All That” because we are connected to God by relationship but have broken fellowship. We run to and fro trying to get stuff and become something that is outside of God’s will for our lives and then we run smack dab against a “hedge of thorns” and think God has left us or abandoned us. The truth is God hasn’t left us we have left God.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
========= Cherry:
Today John 13:34-35 and
1 John 5:10+20 bring deeper insight into the walk with purpose in view.
See – 1 John 5:9-13 – it is about knowledge.
1 John 4:14,15 talks about the witness of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:1,2 tells us,that God abides in him who believes in his Son
Galatains 5:16+25 tells us about the walk with purpose in view!
Phil. 3:12 – 14 speaks about, that spiritual growth is an ongoing process, so does
2 Timothy 2:15 + 3:16,17
In 2 Peter1:3-9 can we read, that God is the source and Hebr.13: 20,21 tells us, that God equips us with everything good for doing his will.Be blessed!
Cherry
========= David:
1John5-3:In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
These statements are among the most convicting statements in the New Testament. If after reading these statements you are convinced that you are still a child of God then you are OK. If not then you have some work to do. The old lifestyle needs to be got rid of. Most of us like me hold on to it with a passion. In many ways I still do. Fortunately I am still convicted when I read these statements so I might still have a chance to change. Unfortunately, many Christians read these things and it does nothing to their way of thinking. Most rationalize these statements as if they are a piece of poetry. They should be looking at these statements as if they were clauses in the New Testament law that if they don’t follow or at least agree with, they would not enter the kingdom of God.
David
======= Helen:
I was considering verse 8:-
“She doesn’t realize that it was I who gave her everything she has–the grain, the wine, the olive oil. Even the gold and silver she used in worshiping the god Baal were gifts from me!”
And Mike’s questions:-
Do we realize that everything we have comes from God? Everything? Do we misuse any of these gifts from God in our life in ways that would not be pleasing to God?
This includes the spiritual gifts and personal giftings that God has blessed us with. Are we using our leadership skills for Him? Are we serving for Him? Are we looking at who God has made us to be and stepping out in faith? I find it so difficult to know God has made me to be a person with a certain set of skills and believing that I AM that person. The world crowds in and overtakes and I find it is an act of discipline to be true to myself and step out.
Helen
======= Lindsay:
This question probably comes up a lot – I’ve noticed in John the recurrent idea that those who are children of God will not sin. I have a hard time getting my mind around this. I pray for forgiveness of my sins, but because I know as hard as I try, I will likely commit the same sins over and over and so I remain plagued by guilt. I know God loves me, and I certainly don’t want to sin. I want to be a child of God… I have a hard time reconciling the notion that we are forgiven and yet we will not sin of we are God’s children. This seems like it’s getting into predestination.
I think there’s a cohesive question in there, I know that was a bit rambling, but maybe someone can help.
Lindsay
====== Calypso:
I love this post! The song.. is great. Thank you THANK YOU!!!
” Therefore I will block her path with thorn bushes;
I will wall her in so she cannot find her way.
She will chase after her lovers but not catch them;
she will look for them but not find them.
Hosea 2:6-7″ –> This scripture has been following me for a couple days.
It started a couple days ago with this daily read that comes to my inbox:
============
Hemmed In
Why did God curse Eve with loneliness and heartache, an emptiness that nothing would be able to fill? Wasn’t her life going to be hard enough out there in the world, banished from the Garden that was her true home, her only home, never able to return? It seems unkind. Cruel, even.
He did it to save her. For as we all know personally, something in Eve’s heart shifted at the fall. Something sent its roots down deep into her soul – and ours – that mistrust of God’s heart, that resolution to find life on our own terms. So God has to thwart her. In love, he has to block her attempts until, wounded and aching; she turns to him and him alone for her rescue.
Therefore I will block her path with thorn bushes;
I will wall her in so she cannot find her way.
She will chase after her lovers but not catch them;
she will look for them but not find them.
Hosea 2:6-7
Jesus has to thwart us too – thwart our self-redemptive plans, our controlling and our hiding, thwart the ways we are seeking to fill the ache within us. Otherwise, we would never fully turn to him for our rescue. Oh, we might turn to him for our “salvation,” for a ticket to heaven when we die. We might turn to him even in the form of Christian service, regular church attendance, a moral life. But inside, our heart remains broken and captive and far from the One who can help us.
And so you will see the gentle, firm hand of God in a woman’s life hemming her in. Wherever it is we have sought life apart from him, he disrupts our plans, our “way of life” which is not life at all.
(Captivating, 96-97)
————–
I can’t tell you what this means to me.. it’s just between me and the Lord. Just know.. it’s been a work in progress for about 20 years..
Calypso
========= Karen:
The whole Hosea marriage reminds that even though God knew how filthy we are, He still came to save us. There is no sinner too far gone for Him to redeem and for that I am eternally grateful.
Karen
======== Robert:
Psalm 124
Oh Man! This Psalm hurts. The first 5 verses I read with the realization that things in the world can be like flooding rains and can do terrible damage like that we have seen lately in the N.W. USA and the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. Roads disappeared, people stranded, farms flooded. These are the words found here in verses 4-5, “the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away.”
Then in verse 7, “We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.” So yesterday, I set a couple of mouse traps outside and this morning I found two beautiful birds trapped dead in my traps! Ouch!
Both of these events are “conflicting” to what the Psalm says, but the insight is clear. Yes, disaster and tragedy happen but as verse 8 says trouble can be overcome because “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
This seriously makes me think of those who do not have the Lord. I pray for them.
Robert
======== Dee:
Hosea beautiful
I love that story and you need to read Francine Rivers “Redeeming Love” It was about this story!
1 John..I love this and how God shows us the instructions to live and seek Hom and how to know and have discernment!
Psalm 124. A levitical psalm but Redeeming of our help is from the Lord! Who makes heaven and earth! Shouts of praise amen amen
Also proverbs..please everyone let’s be gracious and serve and help our poor people Amen!
Dee