The Lord pleads for Israel to return to Him. There is victory over death and the grave in Christ. Hosea finishes off by saying “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things”. Let’s do the same.
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Hosea 13: The LORD's Relentless Judgment on Israel
1 When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel, but he incurred guilt through Baal and died.
2 And now they sin more and more, and make for themselves metal images, idols skilfully made of their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of them, "Those who offer human sacrifice kiss calves!"
3 Therefore they shall be like the morning mist or like the dew that goes early away, like the chaff that swirls from the threshing floor or like smoke from a window.
4 But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no saviour.
5 It was I who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought;
6 but when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me.
7 So I am to them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.
8 I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs; I will tear open their breast, and there I will devour them like a lion, as a wild beast would rip them open.
9 He destroys you, O Israel, for you are against me, against your helper.
10 Where now is your king, to save you in all your cities? Where are all your rulers--- those of whom you said, "Give me a king and princes"?
11 I gave you a king in my anger, and I took him away in my wrath.
12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is kept in store.
13 The pangs of childbirth come for him, but he is an unwise son, for at the right time he does not present himself at the opening of the womb.
14 Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
15 Though he may flourish among his brothers, the east wind, the wind of the LORD, shall come, rising from the wilderness, and his fountain shall dry up; his spring shall be parched; it shall strip his treasury of every precious thing.
16 Samaria shall bear her guilt, because she has rebelled against her God; they shall fall by the sword; their little ones shall be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.
Hosea 14: A Plea to Return to the LORD
1 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.
2 Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, "Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.
3 Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, 'Our God,' to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy."
4 I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;
6 his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon.
7 They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit.
9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.
Things to think about…
1. Ephraim (Israel) once had influence and was exalted, Hos 13:1, but lost their influence through the worship of idols like Baal and the golden calves. Their influence and identity as a people died. This can happen with Christians. We can name the name of Christ and once upon a time had a bold testimony, but we grabbed hold of the world and started living like the lost. We started embracing the world’s values, and the influence and power of our witness died, and the gospel was devalued. If that has been your testimony, today is the day to repent, return to cross of Christ and maybe for some of you, begin a life being truly saved from your sin.
2. You are what you eat, physically, mentally and spiritually. These foolish Israelites had sacrificed themselves, their time, money, energy to make images of golden calves, Hos 13:2. The world at the time had even given the Israelites a morally destitute tag by saying "Those who offer human sacrifice kiss calves!" , representing the gold calves Israel worshipped at Dan and Bethel, vs 2. What occupies your time and money etc. How does your faith in Christ register in all of it? Be resolved to follow Christ and His word, what better use of your time is there?
3. We know the Apostle Paul quotes Hos 13:14 with respect to the resurrection in 1Cor 15:55. Christ has defeated death and the grave at the cross.
4. Do you complain when things go badly for you? Sometimes it is the Lord refocussing you on what is of primary importance. The judgement on Israel was horrific, Hos 13:16. This verse is very graphic, but this is exactly what happened when the Assyrians came against Samaria in 722BC. When God’s people sin against knowledge there is an incredible weight of accountability that comes with the knowledge. Those who knew much, much is required, Luke 12:48. Continue to pray for Samaria today, Arab and Israeli Christians now dwell in this area - hallelujah. The One for Israel ministry which CBC supports is in Netanya which ministers in this area of central north Israel.
5. Look at the mercy and grace of God, Hos 14. The Lord has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. There is no joy for Him in judgement. Here He says to Israel - return, repent of your ways, come back to keeping the law and the vows that you have made. They heed this advice and were judged through the instrument of Assyria. The Lord says the same to us, Hos 14:14. Be wise and understand. This is why reading, understanding and applying the Word of God into our lives is vital. Experiences come and go, but truth remains.
6. We see in Hos 14:5-7 that Israel will return and once again flourish. We are seeing that being fulfilled in our day, after 2000 years. He says in vs 4 that He will heal their apostasy. We know many Jews will turn to Christ in the latter days. Pray for the peace of Israel and Jerusalem that they come to know Jesus as their Messiah and true Son of David.
7. The last words of the book apply as much today to the church as they did for ancient Israel, “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them”, Hos 14:9. The church needs to be woken up out of its sleep of apathy, self-reliance, and “I” centred worship. This cancer is right across churches in Australia, not just the charismatic movement, but protestant denominations. May the Lord give us wisdom and discernment as we rightly fear him and worship Him in the splendour of holiness, as we tremble before Him in reverence Ps 96:9.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer points
1. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness and away from trying to mould character aside from the cross and repentance.
2. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
3. Pray for the Liberal party as they wrestle with leadership issues.
4. Pray for the people of Iran that they finally get their freedom from an oppressive regime
5. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
6. One for Israel ministry.
7. Conflict zones – especially within Africa, Israel, Iran and Ukraine
8. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
9. Reform and Revival over our city and country.
10. Finances to cover our needs
11. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for His blessing over our service on Sunday
2. Another day of joy on Sunday with new folks arriving.
3. Praise God for ministries starting this week – Life Groups and Kids@Church
4. Café team every week. Thankyou to all those who serve and bring food. Especially Fiona, Maddie and Suzy.
5. Admin and technical team – Brendon, AJ, Suzy, Maddie, Mathys, Doug.
6. The Lord’s faithfulness this year to CBC and all who have served in ministries
7. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. All ministries on break over the school holidays
2. Kids@Church starts back Sunday 1st Feb
3. Members Meeting – Sunday 22nd Feb after the service
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for February...
Q. 5. Did our Lord Jesus Christ ever sin? A. No; he was holy, blameless, and undefiled.
