Hosea
7 reminds me of when I first came to Christ. I was not evil in the
eyes of any of my friends, and none of my friends considered
themselves evil. It is only when we compare ourselves to God’s
perfection that we realize that all of us have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God. A very interesting thing happens when God
reveals and removes desires from our life. Some friends get upset
that we no longer partake in certain activities. They feel judged by
our change. Soon, we are no longer invited along. Today’s chapter
discusses the pattern that can follow. God says, “Whenever
I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim are exposed“.
Nothing had changed in the corrupt city, “They
practice deceit… but
they do not realize that
I remember all their evil deeds.
Their sins engulf them“.
But God adds His perspective, “They
are always before Me“. It is
the awareness of God that helps us see the impurities in our own
life. Next He describes an experience many recognize. While alcohol
is not evil in and of itself, it certainly lowers inhibitions.
Sometimes those inhibitions are lowered a bit too far. To the sober
observer, “the princes become
inflamed with wine, and he joins hands with the mockers“.
Things can get carried away, “Their
passion smolders all night; in the morning it blazes like a flaming
fire“. I have observed many
people say and do things that are hurtful while under the influence.
What happens in the morning?
To
me personally, the next verse is the key. “All
their kings fall, and none of them calls on Me.”
When something separates us from God, it might be problem.
“Foreigners sap his strength,
but he does not realize it… His hair is sprinkled with gray, but he
does not notice.” When a
nation or a person rejects godly wisdom, what is left? “Do
not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’.”
(1 Corinthians 15:33). Hosea writes, “Despite
all this he does not return to the Lord… or search for Him“.
The
chapter ends with a pitiful picture of a once-great city that now
resembles the guy sitting alone on a barstool, “like
a dove, easily deceived and senseless“.
Anyone that comes along is his best friend, “now
calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria“.
God says, “Woe to them,
because they have strayed from Me!”
Understand God did not leave them, “they
have rebelled against Me… I long to redeem them“.
Finally God describes the result turning away from His wisdom and
His Word. “They do not cry out
to Me from their hearts but wail on their beds“.
These are not the tears of repentance, but cries of blame directed
at God, “They do not turn to
the Most High“. God says of
His beloved, “For this they
will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt“.
Friend, do you know this bitterness? Romans 12:21 says “Do
not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good“.
Will you accept His invitation? “The
Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.
Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but
everyone to come to repentance”
(2 Peter 3:9). He has not left you.
.