The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 9:17,
"My God will reject them because they have not obeyed him; they will be wanderers among the nations."
Their disobedience to him earned Israel's rejection by God. So great will be the judgment of God, he says, "Even if they bear children, I will slay their cherished offspring." Hosea 9:16. In their rebellion, Israel managed to find the end of God's love and mercy, and will now discover his judgment. I note that God rejected Israel on his own terms. It mattered not a whit what Israel thought about their own actions. It doesn't appear that God was interested in what their intentions were. Had they repented of their turn from God perhaps history would have been recorded differently. The whole of Hosea's ministry as a prophet was to portray God as the broken hearted husband of an adulterous wife. God decided what was acceptable to him and what wasn't. He didn't confer with anyone and he didn't take the matter "under advisement".
We live in a day where many have determined to define for themselves what their responsibility is to their Creator. Indeed, many who say they believe in a "higher being" feel the freedom to define for themselves who and what this "higher being" is and how life should be lived in light of their own thoughts and ideas.
As Israel discovered, God will not be defined by anyone. He exists objectively and determines for himself what is acceptable among mankind and what isn't. He will be the only one to determine the fate of all. He maintains his own "Book of Life" and whatever one's theology, "belief system", position on abortion, homosexuality, promiscuity or whatever, will make no difference. God didn't appear to be interested in evaluating Israel's lofty thoughts on the issues of the day. They turned their backs on God and it has now come time to face the consequences.
I am reminded of what the writer of Hebrews had to say, "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:31. What a frightful place to find oneself in! How I thank the Lord Jesus Christ that, even though I deserve his judgment, God visited that judgment on him on my behalf, that I might have a place at his table!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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