- Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands, they would be regarded as a strange thing. Hosea 8:12 – Israel at this time had devoted themselves to the creation of many idols of silver and gold to worship and trust in for their protection. They followed the way of neighboring nations that knew not God and found themselves in a place where God said even to them He knew them not. Israel was His bride, but they were behaving like a wayward woman chasing after other lovers. In verse twelve we see the Lord saying that even if He were to give them His laws by the tens of thousands, meaning that His words to them would be perfectly clear and they would have no doubt in how to live faithfully after God, they still would reject it. The words from God would seems like a strange, unfamiliar thing because they weren’t familiar with God Himself. Such truth is repeated in 1 Corinthians 2:14 when it speaks about how the things of God don’t make sense, they are folly, to the person that does not know God. See then the connection, we can’t know God’s word without God. Even with the Lord, if we aren’t following Him, He could speak tens of thousands more pages of scripture to us and it still would be like a foreign language to us for we aren’t first seeking to know Him. God Himself is the lens to understand God’s word. Until we make that choice to live fully for God and to seek Him always, His word will just be a book that has no impact on our life. Choose to love the Lord, choose to be about His purposes today, and choose to seek to know Him more, and there God’s word will come alive and this collection of “strange things” will become a source of joy, peace, and life because you are taking in the words of the God who loves you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2947
- To me they cry, “My God, we – Israel – know you.” (v.2) I couldn’t help but immediately relate this to probably one of the scariest verses in the bible when I read this passage. In Matthew 7:23, Jesus is teaching a truth that most likely stopped everyone in their tracks when He spoke it. He let them know that it wasn’t the cry out of His name that brought about rescue for them; it wasn’t about the “mighty deeds” done in His name that gave them salvation. It was all about whether they had chosen to follow His will or chosen their own path. The scariest part of this all was at the end of the verse when Jesus replied to those crying out to Him who had followed their own path. He told them, “I never knew you.” In Hosea’s story, Israel is crying out to God saying, “We know you God.” Isn’t it funny though they had to identify themselves to God? Saying, “God we know you, but do you know who we are?” Of course God knew who they were, but their sinful behavior had damaged the connection they had with God to the point that they weren’t even sure if God recognized who was crying out to Him. So does God know you? Would He welcome you with open arms or say, “I never knew you?” The path to knowing God and Him knowing you is through a relationship with Jesus. Knowledge of a person is key in any relationship, but it has to start with a commitment were one tells the other, “I’m all for you.” I hope you can claim that for yourself. If not, hit me up and I’ll be happy to share with you how to start the most amazing relationship you’ll ever find. – Daily DEVO 31
- Israel is swallowed up; already they are among the nations as a useless vessel. Hosea 8:8 – Sin ruins what is good. Here Israel, a nation that was designed to show the world the power and glory of God, has given themselves over to their sinful ways and become a stench to the world. It says they have become like a useless vessel, like a dirty bowl that you’d never use for anything anymore and just stinks. Understand that how their sin caused them to be useless for God’s work our sin can do the same. If we allow sin to be active and acceptable within our lives, all it’s going to do is ruin our witness and ruin our ability to properly carry out God’s will for our lives. Our sin can make us a useless vessel. Through Jesus we have been set free from this sin so let go of the very things making you unusable to God. If you’re truly grateful for the life He’s blessed you with, make your life usable for His plans by setting aside your habits of sin. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 558
- I have spurned your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? For it is from Israel; a craftsman made it; it is not God. The calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces. Hosea 8:5-6 – In ancient Egypt the calf was a god to them and a symbol of worship; this is also where Aaron got his idea for the golden calf in Exodus. Now here in our passage a calf is being spoken of again. Now I’m not sure if they had a golden calf like in exodus or God is just summing up their idolatry by saying “calf,” either way though the message is clear. It is not God. It’s just something created and not their Creator. It had no life, no breath, and couldn’t offer them any help. What then is your “calf?” What’s been more important to you than you pursuit of Jesus? If that’s too far then what’s been side tracking you from your purpose in life of sharing Jesus with others? A job? Fear? Netflix? Our calves don’t have to be golden to ruin our walk with Jesus. What needs to go so you can pursue your life with Jesus like He’s calling you to? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1676
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