Scripture Text: Hosea 7:8-16
The pride of Israel testifies to his face; yet they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him, for all this.
Hosea 7:10
Professionally trained homing pigeons are often used for dramatic effect at weddings or other events. After they’re released, they fly home, easily finding their way even on trips of 100 miles or more. But when a dove lacking of any homing ability is released, the results are far from beautiful. At a New Jersey event commemorating the September 11 tragedy, eighty young untrained doves were released and chaos ensued. Some flew into buildings, others plunged into the Hudson River, and some just walked away. None of them had any clue where “home” was.
Israel in Hosea’s day suffered from a similar problem. They had become like distant relatives of Abraham and his sacrificial faith. Their bearings should have been permanently oriented to God, but they had lost any inclination to return to Him. Israel had degenerated into a weak and foolish nation.
The picture of Israel as a silly dove is one of several metaphors in today’s reading. God also compared them to a cake that had been ruined in two ways. Israel had mixed into the cultures of foreign lands, spoiling the basic ingredients of their faith. They were then left to burn like a pancake that never was flipped. Their integration with pagan religions and their lack of care from anyone resembling a spiritual leader left Israel in a worthless state.
Israel was also like an old man unaware of the effects of age (v. 9). They were like an archer’s bow that sent its arrows astray (v. 16). All these pictures point to the depraved condition of the nation of Israel. They had no direction, no strength, and no idea of how desperate their situation had become.
As lowly as they were, Israel was an arrogant nation, which may have been the root of their other sins. God predicted two tragic results of their condition that would prove how unfounded their pride was. They were to be ridiculed by other nations and defeated by military powers. Insult would be heaped upon injury.
Reflect
1. Do we acknowledge our sins to God?
2. Do we seek for His forgiveness?
3. Do we seek for His mercy and grace?
4. Do we seek for God’s presence that speaks of His favor to us?
Remember
We need humble hearts to acknowledge both our sin and God’s supremacy. Spending time in prayer and in God’s Word is an excellent way to expose sin and correct your course.
Read these passages of confession in Scripture, and let them teach you how to humbly acknowledge your sin to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers so that your desires are shaped by what God desires.
Read
Psalm 10:4; Psalm 51; Daniel 9:4–19; 1 Timothy 1:12–17
Pray
Dear Lord, continue to illumine Your words to me. As You let me see the truths in Your words, reveal to me the condition of my heart. I ask for forgiveness for my sins, particularly, pride that definitely shows my arrogance. I acknowledge my need of You, Your strength, so I can persevere and life my face with joy. In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.
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