Our Daily Scripture – 1/1/25 (Wednesday)

SCRIPTURE:  HOSEA 11

GOD’S LOVE FOR ISRAEL:

  1.  He love Israel as a child and called him his son. (v. 1)
  2.  He taught Ephraim to walk and heal them. (v. 3)
  3.  He love them with kindness by lifting the yoke from their neck and feed them. (v. 4)
  4.  He has compassion on them (v. 8)
  5.  He will not carry out fierce anger nor devastate Ephraim. (v. 9)
  6.  He will settle them in their homes. (v. 11)

SINS OF ISRAEL:

  1. The more God call Israel, the further they went from Him. (v. 2a)
  2. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to images. (v. 2b)
  3. They did not realize that it was God who healed them. (v. 3)
  4. They refused to repent. (v. 5)
  5. Ephraim told lies (v. 12a)
  6. Israel acted with deceit. (v. 12b)
  7. Judah is unruly against God, the faithful and Holy one. (v. 12c)

PUNISHMENT OF ISRAEL

  1.  They will return to Egypt and Assyria will rule over them. (v. 5)
  2.  Swords will flash in their cities and destroy the bars of their fates and put an end to their plans. (v. 6)

THOUGHTS:

SINS THAT WE SHOULD AVOID:

  1.  Ingratitude – God cared for Israelites.  He carried them, fed them and taught them how to walk and work.  But they abandoned him for idols.  We should praise God and thank Him for the many blessings we received.
  2.  Hardened hearts – They followed their own plans and refused to repent.  We should be humble to confess our sins and ask forgiveness from Jesus.
  3.  Deceitfulness – They tell lies filled with deception.  We should be honest and  truthful in all our ways to show good testimonies to the people.