Today’s Scripture Threshing for Friday, April 5, 2019
Today’s Text: Hosea 4:16-19
Key Verse: Hosea 4:17 (ESV): “Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone.”
On a deep spiritual dimension, the tribe of Ephraim became symbolic of the rest member of the kingdom of Israel; The tribe’s name was sometimes used in a wider application for the whole of the kingdom. In the same way, this scripture is inversely applied to the rest of us, who receive this word all over the world and ages.
Like in Romans 1:28, we are faced with one of scripture’s saddest statements in Scripture. Whether we perceive this as an instruction to the prophet (i.e. to let them alone; not to make friends with them; or accept counsel from them; or join himself to them.), or as a divine action (that foreshadows an imminent divine abandonment); whichever it is, we still see how the consequence of iniquities and idolatries weighs heavily on people’s heart.
This is similar also to our Lord’s lamentation “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling. Look, your house is left to you desolate. And I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Luke 13:35)Sin and disobedience bring people into estrangement before the Lord.
The clear message of God to Hosea is that he will no longer be given any prophetic message for the people. They have heard enough and yet have insisted in their wayward ways. They have persisted in rebellion and idolatry so long, and so unrelentingly. Now, leave them alone, for I will not be sending words to them anymore.
What a terrifying reality this is! To be so hardened in sin that God no longer even speaks to you! Is that not the state in which most men and religious gatherings are today?! Have we not deliberately pushed back the voice of reason, truth and justice? We cry that true Word of God is scarce, but did we all not push them away with our itching ears? God is sending this word today, so that, if you hear his voice, you not harden your hearts. (Hebrews 3:7-8).
Quote for the Day: “Our sins exile us to the wasteland of emptiness; but repentance restores us to God’s watered pasture.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Dear Lord, do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Amen.
With all my Love and Prayer,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD
The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),
2321 S Belt Line Rd., Suite 144,
Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA
Email: reachingout@hopeforallnations.org
BBMme: E3F988D2
[Today’s Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA. Feel free to use it in your family altar and personal quiet times; and to contact us for further enquiry, help and partnership.]
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