King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Chapters: HOSEA 8-14
Study: Judgment of The Church
Hello My Friend,
As I was reading the chapters for today I kept thinking how brokenhearted God is over the Jews as well as Christians who are living under these religions, or rather false religions. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, if He judged Israel, He will judge every nation, beginning with the Church.
[Acts 17:24,26-27,30-31 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.]
From my experience with God, He is pretty merciful and very forgiving, I certainly have not gotten what I really deserve for what I have done in the past and every yesterday as salvation does not keep us from sin, it just protects us with the powerful blood of Christ when we do. That does not mean that we should continue to live in sin, all that would do is make things worse since we now belong to Jesus. Remember, obedience is better than sacrifice any day, just ask Israel. As we complete the reading of Hosea, God, expresses His anger toward Israel for claiming their innocence when they created their own gods, then proclaimed that He is their God.
[Hosea 8:1-5,13-14 Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law. 2 Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee. 3 Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him. 4 They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off. 5 Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency? 13 They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt. 14 For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.]
[how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?] God is asking them how long they think they are going to act like they are innocent. Is that not half of Christ’s Church? They allow every abomination there is known to man into the church that Christ is the head of yet act like they are innocent. I tell you what, Ignorance is not bliss, it is down right deadly, and if you think that ignoring sin will not lead to an untimely death, think again. Jesus said it this way, [Mark 7:7-8 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.]
Ephraim, was the youngest son of Joseph, before Abraham died he told Joseph that Ephraim would be a greater nation than his oldest brother Manasseh, [Genesis 48:14,18-19 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. 18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. 19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.]
Eighty years later, Joshua, would lead the children of Israel (Jacob) into Canaan, where they would become the nation of Israel, and he left them with one warning, [Joshua 24:14-15 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.]
Centuries later, after the death of Solomon, another son of Ephraim emerged, God, would make him king over nine of the tribes of Israel, Jeroboam. What he did to turn Israel against God was the worse thing any leader of any nation could have done, [1 Kings 12:26-28 And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: 27 If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. 28 Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.]
Instead of leading Israel on the path of God, he had two calves of gold made, setting one in Bethel, and another in Dan, and telling Israel that these were now their gods. Now, God, is so angry with Ephraim that He chose to drive them out of His house all together.
[Hosea 9:7-10,15 The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred. 8 The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God. 9 They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins. 10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved. 15 All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.]
[therefore he will remember their iniquity,] I made a comment the other day that I had to go back and remove it because I felt that people would read it differently than intended, I said, “If you want to get on God’s bad side, just start taking credit for something He has done for you.” God, has no bad side, everything He does is for our own good, including His judgments. However, God is a jealous God and if you want to see how jealous He can get, just start taking credit for something He has done for us, [Nahum 1:2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.]
There comes a time when it cannot be said that they have no idea that what they are doing is wrong and claim they are innocent. A slew of charges were drawn up against Israel, idolatry, false gods, sacrificing their own children, and immoral living. These were not just ordinary people, these were His people, those who were supposed to be the example that the rest of the world was to follow, but their heart is divided. Yet rather destroy them, God chooses to chasten them.
[Hosea 10:1,4,10-12 Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images. 4 They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field. 10 It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows. 11 And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. 12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.]
[I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow,] What God is saying here is that Ephraim has been a wild, beast, and He will tame them, Judah, though less sinful than Ephraim, will have to work harder to reap the harvest, and as for the rest of Israel, they were clods, which is hard lumps of the earth, God, will break them up, and soften them, and when the harvest comes, they will reap the rewards, and these are eternal rewards, [Galatians 6:7-9 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.]
In the midst of Israel’s troubles as a nation, they never thought of seeking help from God, they put their trust in men, and the result of that was worshiping false gods instead of the One True God, and yet, God never gives up on them. While the judgment God placed upon them stood, that did not stop Him from wanting to save them from it. As God continues to stress His anger toward all of Israel, He reminds them that He loved them as a child, and for that reason He will not destroy them.
[Hosea 11:1-3,7-9,12 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. 2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. 3 I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. 7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him. 8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. 9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. 12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.]
[but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.] God, describes most of the people of Israel as Ephraim, which God sees as the true form of a hypocrite, they appear as though they are worshiping Him, but are not. Judah, had its fair share of sin, they too succumbed a time or two to idolatry, but ultimately were the true worshipers of God. Judah, adheres to God’s holy prophets, priests, and other saints of God, who are faithful to Him. True worshipers, do not follow some man made religion that actually puts them against God, they believe in and follow Christ, who is the one and only true Church.
[Acts 3:13-15,17-19 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. 18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;]
The longer you walk with Christ the more you realize just how sinful you are, and how merciful and long suffering God is. Everyone sins, everyone stumbles, some of us backslide, but Jesus will not let one of His completely fall away from Him because they sincerely believe in Him with all of their heart. God is not only angry at these false religions, He is also angry at the Church in fact, He has a controversy with them. Why? They allowed the sin to creep in His Church.
[Hosea 12:2-6 The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him. 3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: 4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us; 5 Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial. 6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.]
[The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah,] God, recalls the time in which the angel, who is His Son, met up with Jacob, wrestled with him, and blessed him in Bethel, where one of these false gods were now standing. Our greatest reason to remember our faith in Christ, and stay faithful to Him is the fact that He is full of mercy and judgment upon those who wait on Him all the way until the end. I think that the one thing that angers God most is not the ones who reject Him, it is the ones who know Him, and lead double lives. They worship Him yet the world’s gods also, and for that reason He allows them to literally destroy themselves, which is what He was doing with Ephraim.
[Hosea 13:1-2,4,9-11,14 When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. 2 And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves. 4 Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me. 9 O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. 10 I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes? 11 I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath. 14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.]
[thou hast destroyed thyself;] No one can blame God or even Satan for the wars and chaos going on. Of course, Satan is basking in all this as he watches so many fall into the abyss of sin, yet still seeking God’s protections. Well, they will die in their sin, [James 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.]
[I will ransom them from the power of the grave;] Jesus, is the one how paid the ransom for our soul. How amazing is it that we who are saved by the blood of Christ can stand before God and not be condemned for every sin that we committed? Jesus saves our souls when we receive Him as our Saviour, praise God! However, salvation does not mean that we can live in open or secret sin and not face the consequences for our actions. God encourages Israel to return to Him and He will heal them.
[Hosea 14:1,4,7-9 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. 4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. 7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. 8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. 9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.]
[and the just shall walk in them:] True believers of Christ may get caught up in sin and dangle off the cliff or a while, but their faith in Christ will pull them back up. Those who are not true believers will fall all together, often becoming worse than they were before they knew the power of Christ, [2 Peter 2:19-21 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for loving me and not giving up on me, and for the day Your message of the Gospel pricked in my heart so much that I knew Your Son was the only one who could save me. Lord, There is no better feeling than accomplishing something great for You, and the thing that is great to You is merely living a Godly life with You leading us. While we strive to be the best we can be, let us not forget that our best only comes as we yield to You. Open our hearts, help us understand, and grow us into faithful Christians living under Your grace. Give us compassion on the lost, help us learn how to talk to them, and show them that You have not only pricked their heart, but opened it to Christ as well. Let everything we do bring glory to You and reveal Your Son. I ask these things is Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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