NOW AND THEN

DEJA VU IS STILL TRUE Why do modern leaders feel immune to ancient warnings?  Do they really believe in God?  They will. Hosea 7 1 When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop

THE CHECKER

GETTING IT RIGHT As a draftsman I turned my blueprint drawings over to a checker to catch my mistakes.  I work to find my own mistakes so I feel like I earned my paycheck.  But the checker would not fire me, he just made notes in red pencil, which I would fix.  God makes himself

ACCOUNTABILITY

LEADERSHIP WARNED Hosea has a message for those who set the pattern and entrap others in their failures.  Leadership in Israel and Judah are both in rebellion against God and he is giving them a preview of how they will be paid.  They will be moving soon. Hosea 5 1 Hear ye this, O priests;

KNOWLEDGE

FALLEN AND DIVIDED ISRAEL Hosea is speaking early in the decline of Israel and Judah.  Israel and her spiritual leaders rebelled against Judah and worship in Jerusalem.  There is no good news as he relates the failures of Israel and warns Judah not to follow them. Hosea 4 1 Hear the word of the Lord,

SHORT STORY

DON’T OVERWORK THIS This chapter is a very short one so I am amazed at how long some commentaries can labor over such a simple picture.  Translations, history, and great detail may tempt us to overwork a simple message.  Such a message may be aimed at me even more than at Israel. Hosea 3 1