Village Schools of the Bible

A Devotional Study of Hosea
by Max Frazier, Jr

THE CASE AGAINST ISRAEL IS CONTINUED: Hosea 12

With such a strong declaration of God's love, as found in chapter 11, which we noticed in our last study, one would think that Israel's heart might have been broken and she might have fallen on her knees before God in confession and repentance seeking reconciliation with God. But the words in verse 1 state the main intent of Israel: Ephraim (that was another name for the nation of Israel) feeds on the wind; he pursues the east wind all day and multiplies lies and violence.

My Grandfather used to say that nothing good ever came from an east wind. Many of the gloomiest days, weatherwise, that I have ever remembered, and many of the worst storms I have ever been in, all were preceded by an east wind. That which is usually associated with havoc and destruction, is the very thing which Israel was pursuing, instead of God. Although God has admonished us and warned us, many people today are still pursuing those things of life which will not enable them to meet the storms which will come. They are "feeding on the east wind" just as was Israel.

Then, in verses 2 through 5, Hosea relates that from the very beginning, God had cared tenderly for the family of Jacob. In fact, God had spoken face to face with Jacob. And God had guided the descendants of Jacob through the wilderness. But now Israel has given this all up. They have turned their back upon God. Instead of honoring God, they have honored themselves. Instead of worshipping God, they have worshipped others.

Although God's punishment is about to come upon them, He still challenges them to return to Him and to live in confident dependence upon God. We read in verse 6 these words, But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.

A call to return unto the Lord. Should that not be our constant theme in our teaching and in our witnessing? People within our communities have wandered away from God. They are like those sheep which Isaiah describes in Isaiah 53 as sheep which have turned each to his own way. Our task is to call them to come back to God. God still proclaims, "Come back to Me. Worship only Me. Be dependent upon Me. And I will bless you."

God does not leave us here to build monuments to ourselves, but to promote the Kingdom of God. He has left us here as His agents of reconciliation. We are His ambassadors. We are His witnesses. We have no other task than to touch others and point them to Jesus before the judgment of God descends.

Friends, many of you have become involved through your local church, in the Lighthouse Movement. You have begun to pray for your neighborhood. God will use you as his instrument to call your neighbors and friends to return unto God. God will answer and I believe that we could witness one of the great spiritual awakenings in the history of God's Church.

Further Thoughts from Hosea 12

KEY WORDS: Love; Return to your God; Sin

KEY VERSE: Verses 6 and 14 illustrate what God desires the people to do and what He will do because they will not heed His advice.

PURPOSE STATEMENT: In this chapter Hosea returns to the indictment God brings against Israel and the promise of a coming judgment.

OUTLINE: SINS AND A CERTAIN JUDGMENT

I. Israel's sins and a charge to Judah - verses 1-6

II. Ephraim's boast - verses 7-8

III. Coming judgment - verses 9-14

Hosea 11 Return to the Table of Contents Hosea 13