For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans
Comments, thoughts and reflections welcome.
Hosea 101-8
Israel empties his vine;
He brings forth fruit for himself.
According to the multitude of his fruit
He has increased the altars;
According to the bounty of his land
They have embellished his sacred pillars.
Their heart is divided;
Now they are held guilty.
He will break down their altars;
He will ruin their sacred pillars.
For now they say,
“We have no king,
Because we did not fear the LORD.
And as for a king, what would he do for us?”
They have spoken words,
Swearing falsely in making a covenant.
Thus judgment springs up like hemlock in the furrows of the field.
The inhabitants of Samaria fear
Because of the calf of Beth Aven.
For its people mourn for it,
And its priests shriek for it—
Because its glory has departed from it.
The idol also shall be carried to Assyria
As a present for King Jareb.
Ephraim shall receive shame,
And Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
As for Samaria, her king is cut off
Like a twig on the water.
Also the high places of Aven, the sin of Israel,
Shall be destroyed.
The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars;
They shall say to the mountains, “Cover us!”
And to the hills, “Fall on us!”
Pasted from <http://www.blueletterbible.org/tools/printerFriendly.cfm?b=Hsa&c=10&v=1&t=NKJVP>
Such a picture of depression! And many say the same today.
“…They shall say to the mountains, “Cover us!”
And to the hills, “Fall on us!”…”
Life apart from God; led in resistance to him seems wonderful and beautiful for a time. Then the spoken consequences show up and there is no comfort, no help to be found, If nothing else let us be constant in our relationship with the Lord. To the believer, be found faithful in your relationship with the Lord. To the non-believer, life apart from God has consequences that are unpleasant. While we all experience these consequences at times, the non-believer lacks the powerful, spiritual comfort that transcends any of the consequences of sin. The peace of God cannot be explained or even adequately described; but it is real for all believers.