Scripture Text: Hosea 13:1-3
When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel, but he incurred guilt through Baal and died.
Hosea 13:1
Mike Tyson was once the most feared boxer in the world. Onlookers could see the fear in the eyes of the men who faced him, and that fear often proved justified when he knocked them out in 90 seconds or less. But that image of Tyson has disappeared after a series of bad financial decisions, criminal actions, and other allegations knocked him out of the boxing world.
Israel also suffered from a punishing downfall from its perch as a feared power. They once were a formidable nation that terrified other kings. But when they abandoned God, they had no strength. They adopted the gods of the foreign nations that feared them—the ones they had watched God destroy! God revealed His domination over the false gods of foreign lands, and Israel somehow decided to join the losing side. That foolish betrayal ultimately destroyed them (v. 1). They began to worship the idols they themselves had made (v. 2).
Once again we see the importance of proper worship. There’s no greater insult to God than to equate His majesty with the work of human hands. It is essentially proclaiming that God is the product of our own craftsmanship. Of course their insolent idolatry angered God. He is the Creator! Israel forgot that, and they paid the price. In God’s eyes, they were dead to Him the moment they worshiped another god (v. 1). Those immediate spiritual ramifications would later be complemented by bodily harm as well.
It appears that Israel may have actually resorted to human sacrifice, although the translation in verse 2 is again difficult. It’s unclear whether Hosea was indicting the men for offering sacrifices or indicating that people were offered as sacrifices. Either way, Israel’s acts were an abomination to the Lord and His law.
Hosea outlined the nature of their destruction. In verse 3, like the morning dew, they would not last long. Their existence as a nation was fading. Like the chaff, they were swept away. And like smoke, Israel would become the poisonous by product of destruction by fire.
Reflect
1. Do you always remember what God has done to you and through you?
2. Do you give Him the proper worship—giving Him the glory alone?
3. Do you commit yourself to God moment by moment?
Remember
We must give God the credit for all that He does. Because of the conditioning of our surrounding culture, you may not feel comfortable praising God publicly when good things happen or when He helps you achieve your goals. But it is far worse to withhold glory from God than to make other people uneasy by speaking His name.
Let people know that you put your trust in God to care for you and provide for you. Don’t be ashamed to give Him the glory!
Read
Deuteronomy 2:25; 2 Kings 17:16-18; Isaiah 66:2; Luke 14:11
Pray
Heavenly Father, I praise You and thank You for being good to me. Even though I am not worth receiving Your goodness, You are still faithful. Your mercies never grow weary and Your steadfast love is new day after day. Forgive me for my arrogance and for insulting You by withholding give to You the glory that is Yours alone, and in times of being ashamed of You by not publicly declaring Your Good News in Your Son, Jesus Christ, and not living up as His follower. Also, for not trusting You fully and trusting in my own ways and understanding. I seek for grace and I ask that I may be always sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and dependent on His empowerment. This I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
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