TUESDAY Reflections
In verse 6, God
reminds us that the reason Israel will be devoured is that they
followed their own counsel and not the Lord's. Their own actions brought their
disaster. Even if God had not been in the equation, Israel's actions and
counsel would have seen them destroyed. The one advantage they had was God. He was
willing to receive them back if they would turn back to Him, but God says this
is the thing they refuse to do.
Rarely is it God’s anger at
our sin that gets us into trouble; it is the results of those sins that get us
in trouble. We can't blame God; it's all on us.
Hos 11:1-12
(1) 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.
(4) I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
(5) He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
(6) And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
(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.
(10) They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
(11) They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.
(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.
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