Scripture Text: Hosea 13:4-11
So I am to them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.
Hosea 13:7
On October 3, 2003, an audience of 1,500 shocked people saw magician Roy Horn grabbed in the jaws of a white tiger and carried helplessly offstage. Siegfried and Roy had appeared to have complete control over the animals in their famous act. Animal-rights activists thought the attack was the result of the tiger’s stress, while the show’s producers insisted the animal was trying to protect Horn as if he were one of its cubs. One thing was undisputed: the cat showed who was really in power.
As worshippers of Baal, the people of Israel ascribed to the belief that this false god exercised control over the animals. It was similar to the belief by the ancient Egyptians that several gods controlled animals of all different kinds. When God delivered Israel from Egypt, He used the plagues to demonstrate to Pharaoh and his religious leaders that He was in control of all things. He was superior to the gods of other nations. Egypt learned that, and Israel was supposed to know that quite well (v. 4). But long after the Exodus, the Israelites still needed to be taught the same lesson.
We remember that Israel complained in the wilderness because of their hunger. But God pointed to the opposite reaction that came after He provided—Israel was satisfied, and they still forgot God (v. 6). In doing so, they joined in the worship of Baal and the false claims about his reign over the animal kingdom. By describing Himself as a lion, leopard, and bear, God was emphasizing His superiority once again. Only this time, it wasn’t the Egyptians who were afflicted with plagues; the nation of Israel itself would be ripped apart. They would be destroyed by the One who had always been available to help (v. 9).
The destruction referred to here is predominantly figurative for the dissolution of the government of Israel. Their desire to be like other nations brought them a king in the first place (1 Sam. 8:5), and it was motivated by a rejection of God’s direct kingship over them (1 Sam. 8:7).
Now they had rejected Him as their God, and it cost them both their human king and the false security brought by his throne (v. 11).
Reflect
1. Where do you get your sense of security?
2. Do you fully trust God with your life?
3. Do you truly recognize that God is in full control of everything and anything including your future and your very life?
Remember
When we fail to recognize that God is in control, our hearts can easily be broken when the things we trust most completely turn out to be the things that hurt us most deeply. If you trust in your career, it can fail. If you trust in money or possessions, you can lose it all or see it destroyed. Even health and medicine can become a source of false security. But if you trust in the Lord, He will never leave you. Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ.
We must never confuse the Giver with His good gifts to us.
Read
Exodus 15:1-3; Psalm 81:9-10; Isaiah 44;6-8; Romans 8:38-39; Hebrews 13:5
Pray
Heavenly Father, let me not fail to recognize that You are in full control and in power of everything and anything, that in You I can find my true security in this life. Let me always remember that whatever that I hold onto in this life can be lost and destroyed and just source of false security. Teach me to trust in You with all of my life and lean not unto my own understanding. Lead me to trust and obey You for You are my God and the rock of my salvation. This I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
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