THE COURSE LEADING TO DESTRUCTION -- Hosea Twelve -- The path of forsaking God always leads to sure and certain destruction. Ephraim forsook God, and courted the alliance of idolatrous nations. Such a path could only lead to destruction. God had been so good to the man that He named Israel and lat... [ Continue Reading ]
_GOD'S CONTROVERSY WITH ISRAEL AND JUDAH -- HOSEA 12:1-4:_ Israel was wasting her time on that which had no spiritual substance. It was like feeding on the wind. It was an "east" wind or a wind off of the desert. It would be a hot, dry, dusty wind that would have no value but would even do injury. I... [ Continue Reading ]
_TRUST THE LORD AND RETURN TO HIM -- HOSEA 12:5-6:_ Hosea wanted to communicate to both Israel and Judah that Jehovah is the same God as when Jacob so successfully wrestled with Him. He is, was and always be the same. God's name is the LORD, the LORD God All-Powerful." He was unchangeable in the way... [ Continue Reading ]
_PAYING FOR DISHONESTY IN BUSINESS -- HOSEA 12:7-10:_ Israel had become deceitful. They enjoyed cheating and taking advantage of other people. These dishonest people would use a heavy weight to buy with and a light weight to sell by. The people of the land had become deceitful, and it was especially... [ Continue Reading ]
_ISRAEL PROVOKED GOD TO ANGER -- HOSEA 12:11-14:_ Gilead was a large area in Palestine known for producing many healing items but they had become terribly sinful. Now they will end up in ruin. Bulls were sacrificed to idols in Gilgal on altars made of stones. There were also idols scattered in every... [ Continue Reading ]