ISRAEL WORSHIPED IN VAIN
Hosea 8:1-14
“Put the trumpet to your lips! An eagle is over the house of the LORD because the people have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law. (1)
chapter 8
1. "Put the trumpet to your lips! An eagle is over the house of the LORD because the people have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law.
2. Israel cries out to me, ’Our God, we acknowledge you!’
3. But Israel has rejected what is good; an enemy will pursue him.
4. They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval. With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction.
5. Samaria, throw out your calf-idol! My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of purity?
6. They are from Israel! This calf - a metalworker has made it; it is not God. It will be broken in pieces, that calf of Samaria.
7. "They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no head; it will produce no flour. Were it to yield grain, foreigners would swallow it up.
8. Israel is swallowed up; now she is among the nations like something no one wants.
9. For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has sold herself to lovers.
10. Although they have sold themselves among the nations, I will now gather them together. They will begin to waste away under the oppression of the mighty king.
11. "Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning.
12. I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something foreign.
13. Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to me, and though they eat the meat, the LORD is not pleased with them. Now he will remember their wickedness and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt.
14. Israel has forgotten their Maker and built palaces; Judah has fortified many towns. But I will send fire on their cities that will consume their fortresses."
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. Hosea was called to announce God'sjudgment, which came like a hovering eagle over Israel (1). God expressed his anger as they cried out to him, saying they acknowledged him (2). In reality, they did not know God nor live according to his law (4:6).
2. Their worship was as meaningless as sowing wind and reaping the whirlwind which produce nothing (7). God was not pleased with their empty worship and many gifts on many altars. He knew the wickedness of their hearts (13). He knew that their hearts were after gold and silver, as they made their idols with such things (4) instead of worshipping Him as the creator God (14). They brought sacrifices to God, asking for prosperity in the world, but they did not care to come to know God’s will for their lives and what wonderful relationship God desired to share with them. Without knowing God, they could not bear God’s blessing, which is God himself (Ge 15:1)
3. Do you come to God today with a list of things you need and want? Are you willing to spend time with him first, listen to His Words, and get to know him better? Are you ready to hear what he wants to tell you first today?
Prayer: Father, you are the greatest reward I have. Guide me today to live in your presence and according to your will. Please use me for your glory.
One Word: Come to know God