V. 1. a child-- Israel started out as only a child in Egypt.
God called him out of Egypt not for anything good on Israel's part, but wholly because of the good on God's part.
God provided for him in the wilderness and nourished him, not only with the physical food but with His laws and precepts.
Note here, that the law was a school master, meant to retain Israel as a servant would retain his masters child, by the means of the discipline of a child, until the time should come when all, who despised not the heavenly gift, should receive the spirit of adoption (see my notes on Gal. 3:24. Also read Rom. 2:4; Rom. 8:15, 23; 9:4; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5.
Note here, then that even Israel in order to become a full son, had to enter in by adoption, through Jesus Christ our Lord. To become a 'full son, heir' a adoption with absolutely a necessity.
Israel was unique in that he had the law given to him but this did not make him a son of God. The only retained him and showed the need of a saviour. Sonship has always been by faith in the Redeemer. The promises, covenant (Rom. 9:4) all were passed down by faith in the Redeemer.
Up to the time of Christ, God worked through the nation of Israel. From Christ on He worked through the church, the individual believer, to preform this adoption.
Anyway, even those who were of this nation of Israel had to be adopted as full sons, heirs. Is this not the error the Pharisees, and religious rulers made as they said, "We be Abraham's seed." They felt that because they were Israelites they had no need to be adopted through faith in Christ.
My son-- Israel would have been "my son" but still had to be adopted by faith as he answered the call of God.
This is the prophecy which God used referring to our Lord, Matt. 2:15.
1.) The Lord said to Pharaoh, "Let my son go," Ex. 4:22, 23.
a.) Here we have a picture of God calling out a people for his name, Heb. 9:15; I Pet. 5:10; II Pet. 1:3; Rom. 1:6, 7; II Tim. 1:9; Acts 15:14; Jn. 15:16. Calling them out of the kingdom of this world into the kingdom of His Dear Son, Col. 1:13.
Another thing of interest here. These people who He called out of Egypt complained all the way. They wanted to be removed from Egypt because of the things they were having to do but when they found that Egypt (the world) persecuted the, they decided to stay. God took them out anyway. As they went about the way God wanted them to go they moaned and groaned, gripped and complained, yet God took care of them anyway.
How many of those who He has redeemed by the blood of the Lamb do the same today? Moan and groan, gripe and complain. These (Israelites) even went against their own will at times. Just because of what would happen if they didn't.
How like us today.
It sure looks like the Lord would have found a better way to advance His kingdom and cause than with a group of his people who:
1.) Much of the time are looking back thinking how much better it was in Egypt.
2.) Complain about His provision, leadership.
3.) Really don't want to go and want to stop and rest every time they get a half of a chance.
4.) Think they know how to run the show better than he does.
5.) Continually desiring to serve the gods around them as well as wanting to be like the pagans.
6.) Are afraid to or plain old won't trust Him to do what is best for them.
7.) Really, just a bunch of stubborn, rebellious people who must continually struggle to remain submitted to Him.
I believe we will be OVERWHELMED at the grace and mercy of our Lord when we get there and look back.
Rev. 7:9-17 won't even begin to describe the attitude of the redeemed as we look back at God's grace and mercy.
We will have no problem at all desiring to follow the Lamb of God wherever He goes. No problem at all of singing praises to Him. Even the most carnal of His people here, in fact, probably the most carnal will sing the most praises.
But we all will see how that ONLY HE could work through such a stiff-necked people as we are.
The amazing thing he called Israel out of Egypt knowing how stiff-necked they would be.
He called me by name knowing how hard headed and stiff-necked I would be yet he spoke to me anyway.
Why? I believer all of Eph. chp. 1, explains it very well. Read it, keeping in mind our rebellious, hard and stiff-necked nature.
"That we might be to the praise of His glory who first trusted in Christ." Not to our glory but for HIS and not only will we see this for all eternity but all of creation will see HIS glory in what He did in His people who 'first trusted in Christ.'
The context here of course is the nation being called out of Egypt. Looking forward to the time when his only begotten son would also be called out of Egypt where he had fled to escape the wrath of Harod, Matt. 2:15.
V. 2. as they-- here the prophets called his people to return to their Lord. The more they called His people to return the further they went away from Him, following their false gods.
We had the same with Christ. He called these people to himself yet the more he called the more they rebelled.
7/23/86
**There is one more point we should mention here.
Anytime a Christian is in authority it is to be Christ in authority. That part of the Christian which desires to live and act apart from Christ is dead. The only life which is to be in me is to be the life of Christ. So any action which I do is to be Christ, the Holy Spirit, living and working through me.
The old law of the sinful nature which seeks to control me contrary to God's revealed principles of life is dead and everything I do now is to be consistent with His principles, Gal. 2:20; Col. 3.
If Christ is not allowed to control, reign, in that area then that Christian is in sin, I Cor. 10:31.
Any action (thought or attitude also) that nay Christian, whether in authority or not, might do which is not consistent with Scriptural principles is sin, I Pet. 2: 15-25.
I have heard it preached, "If Christ is not Lord of all He is not Lord at all." This is very true. Now let's practice it.
On the job, if you are a Christian, it must be Christ running that printing press or you are in sin. Christ in you going about that every day activity.
If you drive a truck for a living, it is to be Christ in you driving that truck. Anything less is "walking in the flesh," Gal. 5.
If you stay home and provide a home for your family, it is to be Christ working through you to accomplish that.
Not only are our actions to be controlled by the principles of God's word but so is our every thought. Any thought which is not consistent with God's word is also sin, Eph. 2:23-32; II Cor. 10:5; Ph. 4:8.
Paul's prayer for those at Galatians was that Christ would be formed in them, Gal. 4:19. Don't you think this would be God's desire for His people today? If Christ is formed in us then that is Christ on that job.
He also complained at these folks for not obeying the truth, 5:7. The truth is to be obeyed in every area we are involved in.
He told the Ephesians to walk worthy, 4:1. This is physical activity. Not only walk but he told them to 'talk' worthy of Christ, v. 29. Therefore it should be Christ which controls even our talk.
These verses have been 'preached' to death. There are many of them. Ph. 2:15, we are told to "be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse (totally corrupted) nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."
How do we let this light shine? By allowing Christ to live in us. By obeying His principles of life as revealed in His word, Gen. through Revelation.
There are many verses on this. The good ground are those who hear and do, Lk. 8:15.
The rock which is to be built on is 'heareth and doeth,' Lk. 6:46-49. When this rock is not built on everything it will crumble.
The tree which brings forth the good fruit would be the same, Lk. 6:43-45.
The foolish man is the one who hears yet refuses to do, Matt. 7:26.
Then we can go back into the O.T. with this. Hosea 4:6, my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. They hear the word of God yet refuse to act on it. They refuse to do what they know to do, (see not notes on Hosea 4:1-6). Just check the context back there.
Col. 1:10, we are to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. As we act on what we know to do he will give us more, Heb. 5:14.
II Thess. 3:13 warns us not to give up in 'well-doing' and we have been redeemed that we might have the power to do this "well-doing," I Pet. 1:18-20.
James warns us to be doers, not hearers only, 1:22.
The word of God defines for us what is 'well-doing.' What is good and bad. What are righteous actions and what are not, Heb. 4:12; Ii Tim. 3:16; 17; 2:15, 19. To use the "in wrought divine will" as our guide falls into the same trap as what Eve fell into. God's word is the only standard we have to measure good and bad.
If there is any abomination in the Scripture it is to see that our every thought and action lines up with God's word. As it does then Christ is formed in us and it is Him living through us. Anything less than His principles of life controlling us is sin, and is not to even be named among us let alone practiced.
As we do this our "light" shines. Christ, the light of the world, is seen in us and others are influenced for Him.
Now, let's go back a little.
Is a Christian working a machine in a factory? That is to be Christ working that machine.
Is a Christian working on a car in a shop? That is to be Christ working in that shop.
Is a Christian keeping books for a business? That is to be Christ keeping those books.
The list is endless and covers every area of life.
Now we preach and teach this continually but we must peruse this principle on.
Is a Christian the foreman in the plant? Then that is to be Christ in that position in the plant and those under him will be working for Christ.
Is it a Christian who owns the business? Then that is to be Christ in that position in the plant and those under him will be working for Christ.
Is it a Christian who owns the business? Then that is to be Christ who owns that business, as that person allows Christ to control His every action and decision. Anything less will be sin on the part of the owner.
Now notice, the owner, if he is a Christian who is dead and the life he now lives is Christ through him, if this person puts in any work rules other than rules which would reflect Christ, the word of God, then he is walking in darkness, Rom. 13:2, 12, 19; Eph. 5:8; I Jn. 1:7. Light is both knowing and doing God's principles of life, Jn. 3:21.
Therefore those who work for the owner would be working for Christ.
This moves into every area of life. Into the political area as well. A Christian, in a elected office, if he is dead and his life is hid in Christ, is not there to represent the people. He is there to represent Christ or he is in sin. Christ did not come to represent anyone but the FATHER in heaven. Neither are we here for any other reason. All is for HIS glory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
You say, "But the people elected me to represent their best interests."
A couple of things:
1.) Rom. 13:1; Jn. 19:11. All power comes from God and it is the responsibility of those in 'power' to represent HIM.
2.) It is in the peoples best interest to have laws which reflect the way of life rather than the way of death. There is a way which seems right but is contrary to life. (Rom. 6; Prov. 16:25. Only God's word shows us the way of life.
In conclusion, then we see that Christ is to rule here and now through HIS people. If he doesn't then the ungodly rule.
If he doesn't then that area of life, for the Christian, is sin. Because he doesn't then those around us, or that are influenced by us, are lost and captive of the devil, I Cor. 15:34; I Pet. 2:15.
We have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb of God, which was slain from the foundations of the world, that we might be free from our vain, empty manner of life, therefore able to glorify Him in everything, I Pet. 1:18-20.
A Christian in any kind of authority who does not live by God's principles of life is just as much a sinner as the whoremonger is, in fact, the word of God compares this with whoredoms.
A Christian in any kind of authority who does not institute God's principles of life, in every area which he has influence over, is just as guilty as the Pharisees who refused to give up tradition for God's way.
It doesn't matter if it is over a church, his family, his business or in civil government. That Christians responsibility is to allow Christ to live through Him. Others therefore will be working and ruled by Christ.
This cannot be avoided unless you remove a bunch of Scripture from its context. The only reason the devil rules today is because Christians refuse to let Christ rule in them, II Thess. 2:3; II Tim. 2:26. He is defeated and has been every since the cross of Christ, Col. 2:15.
He knows this. He also know that His power only lies in deceit,
Jn. 8:44.
As long as he can convince God's people that Christ is not to
live (rule) through them then he can remain in control.
Once the truth is revealed his power is broken, Jn. 8:32, 36. Then Christians are free to glorify Him as God over every walk of life.
God help us to claim the victory we have in Christ Jesus our Lord, thereby doing all to the glory of God.
The application for today. It sure seems the more God calls some people the harder they get toward Him. I know people, the harder, louder we call them to return to their God, it seems the more they are determined to serve their possessions, riches, houses, pleasures. In doing so they despise God, Matt. 6:24.
V. 3. He called them out of Egypt because He loved them and for no other reason. He called them to Himself yet they turned to their false gods.
Even while they rebelled he was caring for them, leading them as a father leads his child who is trying to learn to walk. Not only did he lead them as a father trying to teach a child to walk but when they were weary he picked them up and carried them, Deut. 1:31; Num. 11:12; Acts 13:18; Deut. 32:10.
As he led them in His tender love and mercy, they served Baalim and their images. He smote them and many died. He gave them opportunity to repent and they did not know he was the one who healed them, read Isa. 5:25; 9:12, 17, 21; 10:4. Hosea and Isaiah here are referring to the same people.
Let's consider this for a moment. Look at Isa. 9:12, 13. Here is what Hosea is talking about and anyone who works with people today has to see the application of this. This passage is sad. Check v. 9. God warns them but in their pride and stoutness of heart they ignore the warning. Stoutness here is used in a strange way (1433).
In the good sense it refers to greatness, magnitude (of a tree, Ezek. 31:7, arm of God, Ps. 79:1, mercy of God, Num. 14:19. Also to magificane (of a king, Ezek. 31:2, 18; God, Deut. 3:24; Ps. 150:2. But here it refers to the human heart.
I believe we have: v. 8, God warns his people through his word, through his men. v.9, the warnings are ignored because of pride, "who is he to tell me what to do." And because of stoutness of heart their heart is lifted up as was Adams as he believed, "You shall be as gods, knowing good and evil," Gen. 3:5. Actually it was Eve but all of the human race has inherited this.
We say, "I don't believe that. I don't believe I can be like god, knowing good and evil." Let me ask a simple question. How much time did we spend today searching His word for our direction for today, this week?
How much time did we spend looking in His word for direction for the last decision we had to make? Did we have a scriptural principle to base that decision on?
How much time did we spend in prayer today (this week) asking God for wisdom from His word and to properly apply it? Asking God to move in that situation, asking God to give direction for today?
These are hard questions but the answer will reveal how much we believe that we shall be like gods, knowing, able to determine for ourselfs what is right and wrong.
We might as well say, " I don't need you for anything except heaven, Lord. Don't brother me unless I am in a problem that I can't work out on my own." Who do we think we are fooling? Sure not God.
This passage in Isaiah 9 and Hosea 11 go together like a hand and glove. Read the two together then compare Hosea 11:7 with Rom. 1:21. Keeping in mind, God is talking to my people. Are we one of the sheep of his pasture, Ps. 79:13; 95:7; 100:3; Ezek. 34:31; I Pet. 2:25; John 10:19? If so then wake up. Time is short that will stand before Him, I Cor. 15:34.
Those of us who claim to be one of His sheep, look at Isaiah 9. It's written for our instruction in righteousness, II Tim. 3:16.
God warns His people but in their pride they believe in their heart that they can be like God, knowing apart from His word what is right and wrong. Able to figure it out with their own reasoning ability. Really no need to check on God's word, unless they want to be 'spiritual.' (i.e., how to go to heaven, how to solve an inner attitude problem. All else they feel they can reason out in their own ability. God deliver us from such a wicked, proud 'stout' heart, by your grace.
Might review introduction to Hosea on education. "I'm educated. I no longer need God's word for my daily direction. God is only for emergencies when we need something supernatural."
Now let's follow Isaiah 9. This is to good to pass over lightly.
V. 10. The walls start to fall down. The foundation of God's word (obedience in every area), has been undermined as His people believe they can be as God. Having His might, wisdom without the diligent search for Him in prayer and scripture.
His people now attempt to rebuild what is fallen down, but not on His word. Rather with hewn stone. With the works of their own hands. They work hard at it. Yet they refuse to do it His way.
Hosea 11:3b (but they knew not that I healed them), God, in his love and mercy, prevented the total destruction of His people as they turned from him to their Baalims and images. (Baal means 'lord'. So here they recognize another authority over them other than the Lord God.
Isaiah 9:11. The adversaries are raised up and strengthened, ready to move against His people if they do not return to glorifying Him as God.
9:12. Now follow; There is no way to turn. Syria is in front, Philistines are behind. They are surrounded by an enemy ready to devour them, see Hosea 8:7.
The only way for them to turn is up, back to their Lord God. But because of their refusal to look up, return to Him, His anger cannot be turned away, Prov. 28:13, 14; Heb. 12; I Cor. 5.
(This is a applacation, but not the context. Now look, even
in His anger, there is a chance. His hand of forgiveness and
mercy is still stretched out to His people if they will only return
to exalt him once again as their Lord over every area of life.
Not just over the 'spiritual.'
This reminds me of a radio program of a well-known preacher of
a big church. I have heard it several times and it is good.
But I have noticed some thing about it. I cannot recall one
message on anything other than on the 'spiritual.' Bitterness,
anger, pride, prayer, etc. That's sad, He draws huge crowds and
has a wide influence but his message is restricted to the 'spiritual,
inner attitudes.'
I have never heard one outside of this. It's really a shame
that the word of God doesn't address anything except 'spiritual'
things. I use the word 'spiritual' loosely. Any area of life
which is not spiritual is sin. The world, society, is going to
the devil because God's people will not exalt Him as God over
all.)
The context is that the judgment comes against their sin, without mercy. The reason is because they refuse to return to the Lord. Revelation 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Let's follow on 9:13. God smites His people in chastisement, yet they will not return, see Hosea 10:4.
Here is the sad part which I was headed for. Again, compare this with Hosea 11:1-7. The principle is exactly the same. The warning by both prophets is the same warning.
His people refuse to glorify Him as God, Lord over everything. They feel they can be as gods, knowing good from evil. The walls start to crumble, see Matt. 7:26; Jn. 13:17, etc, and the hemlock springs up.
They rush around in a mad frenzy trying to patch the wall with their hand hewn stones, yet refusing to go back to honour God as God over everything (including the church, civil government, family, finances, occupation, as well as leisure time).
The walls crumble. God's hand is heavy against them. Their false gods crumble to dust. Society falls apart and is overrun with the Babylonians. Wickedness of all kinds, oppressive laws start to take over. Tyrants gain control. All godly principles of righteousness are overrun or ignored. Families pay the price. The monetary system is on the verge of total failure because of covetousness. (See my notes on 'inflation.')
God's people wring their hands and say, "woe is us' yet they make no effort to return to glorying him as God over everything.
They try to stamp out the hemlock yet never take care of the root of pride and stoutness of heart. (See notes on 8:4.)
I know of families who kids are on their way to the devil yet these families feel they know what is best apart from God's word, really, even refusing to do what they know to do.
I know of people whose lives are being smitten by God, yet they refuse to return to doing even what they know to do let alone searching God's word for more principles of life.
Read all of Isa. 9. He clearly lays down the principle here. "Well, that's O.T.. That isn't for today." I would suggest:
1.) That we get a Bible with no footnotes in it and let God speak to you rather than some whoremonger who didn't want to be bound by God's law, Ps. 2.
2.) Read Rom. 6, keeping in mind that v. 14, 'the law' is referring to the law of sin which we inherited from Adam, not the law of Moses. Also that the grace of God is the will and power to please Him, Ph. 2:13.
3.) Keep in mind also, that every N.T. passage which refers to the scriptures, such as Ii Tim. 2:15; 3:16, in their context is a reference to O.T. scripture. There was no N.T. scripture when this was written. Of course the application is all scripture. All 66 books. It is a lie of the enemy which divides the two, O.T. from N.T..
Isaiah 9: God chastises, Heb. 12:6, His people, yet they are so controlled by the lie of "you can be like gods, able to decide for yourself what is right and what is wrong." That they will not believe the reason things are falling apart is because they are ignoring Him in those areas.
Hosea 11:4. He loves them. He does all he can to withhold the chastisement. In his love He does all he can to draw them back to Him in every area. He sends his prophets to them, yet they refuse to lay aside those things which hinder their doing what they know to do.
Hosea 11:5. God will set up a heathen ruler over them because they refuse to return to Him. Someone will rule either godly men (Christ), or God will give pagans, I Sam. 8.
Hosea 11:6. The sword of chastisement, judgment is about to come against them because they refuse to stop living as they feel is best. They refuse to lay aside their own council. They refuse to exalt Him as God over their every activity.
Their pride and stoutness refuses to admit that chastisement is coming (has come), because they will not be faithful to Him. Because they refuse exalt him over what they feel is best. Or really, they know what God expects of them many times, yet their pride and stoutness of heart refuses to allow them to do those things which they know to do.
Hosea 11:7, 'my people are bent on backsliding--. We use the term backsliding. Let's use it in its context. They are determined in their pride and stoutness of heart not to exalt Him in those areas. The areas of their personal life, family, civil government, see not notes on Hosea 8:4, church, etc.
Even though God calls them to exalt Him once again, He calls them from His word and with His men, yet they are determined to do it according to 'their own council.'
Once again, I am reminded of Brother Dixon, he said he went to every big name preacher, as well as to the fellowships and warned them to exalt. God once again over His church and get out of the corporations, state religious organizations. Many of these men told him, "you are right but we don't want to take a chance."
They refused to exalt God once again over His church and now we wonder why society is going to the devil. I believe God is chastening his people to this refusal (and other areas of refusal, any area actually that we refuse to do what he wants us to do, in. To exalt him once again.
They are determined to walk in their own council then when chastisement comes they say, "my, my, I wonder what is wrong.
Isaiah 9:12; 17:21, but his hand is stretched out still. All we must do is Prov. 28:13, 14, turn from our own council, turn to him, and reach up and take his hand. But again, the context is refering to the wrath of God with no mercy against the hardened people. It is not to late to exalt him once again over that area of life.
They dismiss the warning with a couple of things.
1.) Jer. 43, that isn't really God speaking but just some
man's opinion, see my notes there.
2.) Jer. 4:12; Zeph. 1:5, 12. The Lord won't do good neither
will he do evil (chastise). He really is more interested in the
'inner attitudes.'
May God in His mercy open eyes by His grace. That His people may see the importance of returning to Him, Hosea 14:4.
7/24/86
V. 8. Ephraim with his proud, stout heart is determined to walk in his own counsels, even though destruction is assured by the God of heaven.
The Lord determined to give Ephraim up for his stoutness of heart. The Lord loved him and tried to draw him back with this love but he refused.
But here we see the Lord says, "How can I give him up."
(Notice Ephraim and Israel are used as the same people.)
God considers their stouthearted sin and desires to judge it. Yet as he does he also thinks on His love for them. He looks at them as judge but he also looks on them as a God of mercy and in doing so, their sin deserves total destruction. But in His mercy he cannot totally destroy them.
These are two cities of the plains which were overthrown with Sodom as a example of his vengeance against sin, Gen. 14:2, "Those cities of the plains" included these two, 19:25.
Notice Jude 7, these cities were overthrown as an example for others to repent. Showing God's coming judgment against the sin and wickedness of the Canaanites. They refused to heed the warning continuing on in their ungodliness and reaping the total final destruction as the children of Israel came in under Joshua.
These cities of the plains were not destroyed because Lot didn't win them. They were destroyed as an living example of God's judgment against sin. As a warning to the others of the land.
Lot got in trouble by choosing the well watered plains. He got in trouble because he chose to link up with the heathen, the darkness. He 'yoked together' with darkness and the darkness was already under the penalty of death.
God in his mercy spared Lot but his linking up with the ungodly cost him everything. This then would be the illustration of II Cor. 6:14-18.
Lot's problem was trying to mix light with darkness, believers with unbelievers, righteousness with unrighteousness. We live in a world of mixture today. Christians see no need to be separate from the world. According to Jude 7, the reason is shown to us in this destruction of Sodom and the other cities of the plains.
The conclusion we can draw from it is no matter how prosperous (and Lot was) the righteous man may be in the world. He will lose all in the end.
II Pet. 2:1-10, clearly uses:
1.) The angels that sinned.
2.) Noah of the old world before the flood.
3.) The cities of Sodom, Gomorrah.
as living examples of God's judgment upon the sins of unrighteousness. When a Christian is mixed up with, linked up with, of yoked up with these who are unrighteous then he also will suffer the results even though he will be saved in the end, delivered.
Noah remained righteous and apart from the world and God spared Him and seven others.
Lot yoked up with the unrighteous (Gen. 19:7) and saw all that he held dear go up in smoke or sold to the enemy. Lot yoked together wit those already destined for destruction, because of their sin. Abraham already had the promise of the land (Gen. 12), because God knew their wickedness.
Shem was still alive as this was only about 392 years after the flood. Shem lived 502 years after the flood. Noah lived 350 years after the flood. This destruction then was within 42 years after Noah and 110 years before Shem died. Therefore, these people knew the judgment against sin.
Lot knew the judgment against sin yet he still yoked up with these who were completely rebelled against God.
How like us today. We know God's judgment against sin and the things of this world, yet like Lot we seem to be determined to do it our own way and link up with the pagans.
"The well watered plains" look good over there when the choice needs to be made. We forget about the judgment against the world so we go right in and make ourselves at home.
We lose all to the world as we try to mix the two yet we are saved as Lot was.
We need more Noah's and fewer Lots.
They both were delivered through God's wrath from heaven against all ungodliness (Rom. 1:18), yet Noah brought seven others with him. Lot lost it all as he found his security in the world.
Both worlds were slated for destruction. Noah's granddads name was Mathusela and his name spoke of the coming judgment against the world. Moses heard and believed and remained separate from the world. Lot wouldn't.
God help us to not yoke together with those who are already under the penalty of sin. Now, they can repent and turn just as sure as those Noah preached to could have but we CANNOT link up with them with this hope that they will.
7/25/86
Ephraim had done wicked as had Israel.
He has told Ephraim and Israel that He is going to judge them. The sword will devour them because they have turned from His law-word (7:13; 8:1, 12, see my notes there).
To their own councils they are trying to serve Him with a divided heart.
He warns them of the consuming sword on its way.
But then he remembers his love toward his people and he cannot go through wit the complete devouring as he did with the cities of the plain.
* Looks like his love may be more patient with His people but when the fullness of iniquity is come His people have a worse chastisement than do the pagans.
So then by human standards here they deserved complete annihilation just as those cities did.
V. 9. To me we have a lot of hope in this verse, "for I am God, and not man," man would have looked on Ephraim and Israel in their sin and said, "okay, that's enough. I've had it. You are done for."
But he is not man He is merciful and slow to anger. He held back the just reward of their sin.
Ps. 103 says that he remembers our frame, he remembers that we are dust.
He is not controlled by passions. He smites to call people to repentance. Men smite to destroy.
Here also we see a looking ahead. Israel, the Jewish nation deserved complete destruction just a sure as the Gentiles cities of the plains did. When they rejected Christ and killed him they also deserved complete destruction yet he didn't destroy all of the people.
He had some set aside which would be in Christ as individuals, Rom. 11:1, 2, 4, 5; Matt. 24:22.
The city, Jerusalem, the nation of Jews, deserved complete, total destruction for their total rejection of the son (heir of the vineyard). For their cry, "We will not have this man to reign over us," as well as "Let his blood be on us and our children forever." Yet God had some left who were true and faithful to Him. Some who had trusted Christ as individuals and these were spared in the terrible judgment as he smote the Jews as he did Sodom.
Might notice something here again, Lot was one of the elect and God spared him as he destroyed the elect in 70 A.D.
Is his protection still available to His elect today who are holy as He is holy today?
V. 10. Not only will He not completely destroy them but some will come to Christ, "walk after the Lord."
Hosea 3:4, 5, speaks of this, "For many days His people will dwell without a king or sacrifice," yet promises that one day some of them will have a king and a sacrifice.
They will seek their king, David, and will have a sacrifice as they did under King David, but is referring to King Jesus ruling and reigning over all of His people of whom Israel, Ephraim is part of. This king has made the sacrifice and is continuing that sacrifice for His people. Heb. 7:25, "seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Those who came to God by him.)
Right now, His people, those of Israel, Ephraim, Judah and U.S. (all one in Him, Gal. 3:26-29), have a king, Jesus the son of David, who is alive right now making the sacrifice, intercession for us.
Hosea 3:4, 5, as well as here, v. 10, is speaking of Christ and His work that did and is doing right now for us. The sacrifice on the cross and the continual intercession to the Father for His people. Jew, Gentile, doesn't matter. It is for those who have come to him by faith.
To say these speak of a future restoration of a sacrificial system would force you to cut the book of Hebrews out of the Bible. Leaving us with no Bible but a book rewritten to conform with our own council. Which He is so upset about here with His people.
Here is the lion of the tribe of Judah calling out His people (Jn. 15:16). He will roar hiss call out and His children (Jn. 1:12) will come to Him. I came 'trembling' to Him when I heard and answered this 'roar,' Acts. 2:37.
from the west. But they were carried off toward the east. The large part of those which came to Christ was from the west.
V. 11. Is this speaking of the flight to him out of the world as well as out of paganism?
He will call, they will come. Here again, is the prophecy pointing to that day of Christ. When the Holy Spirit comes and calls the nations to him.
in their houses, I Tim. 3:15, house of God-- Could refer to God's house, temple in our bodies. Of how we ought to live and act as we live in this temple, house of God.
Could refer to the church as the meeting place. But, whatever, when considered with Heb. 12:22, 23, we see this referring to the time when we will be drawn to Christ by the Holy Spirit. Convicted of our sin and falling, trembling, at His feet for salvation, Jn. 16:8-14, etc.
In doing so, we inherit a home in His house which has many mansions, Jn. 14.
I will-- Here is that beautiful phrase again which is so common in the O.T. If there was ever a promise which looked forward to "But grace cam by Jesus Christ," this is it. The O.T. is absolutely full of this promise of grace." "I will." Praise God, I am alive in this day of His "I will, His grace which reaches into Egypt, Assyria and into the four corners of the earth.
V. 12. A reference back to 10:4. Also looking ahead. He is speaking of the future grace by Jesus Christ. He was completely surrounded by lies and deceit as the scribes, Pharisees and religious leaders of all kinds lied about him that he might be put to death, Matt. 22:15.
Ephriam, Israel from the dividing of the kingdom under Jerobaom, tried to serve Him with a divided heart. With the calves and many other things. It just wasn't accepted. Judah, on the outside, remained faithful in his sacrifices for some time yet. God kept them for David's sake.
Ruleth with God, the lion of the tribe of Juda was made a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec,, Heb. 5:6.
This priest everliveth to make intercession for the saints. He stands with God in behalf of His people.
We "have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God," Heb. 4:14, He is the faithful priest, one who will NEVER fail His people who ruleth with God, read Hebrews.
In fact, all rule, power, authority has been given to Him, Matt. 28:19, 20.
The son of Judah, the son of David rules with God and He is faithful.
Again, notice in all of these prophets. They spend a tremendous amount of time warning God's people about their sin but they NEVER leave them hopeless. They always point ahead to Jesus Christ and the grace which is going to be found in Him, the hope in Him and Him alone.
To make this prophecy (as well as the others) pertain to any kind of a physical regathering of a physical nation and the establishing of a physical kingdom with that nation and a reestablishing of ANY KIND of a blood sacrifice completely destroys the message of these O.T. prophets.
These people WERE NEVER given any hope in being a member of a special race. "You are an Israelite, Jew, therefore you have special privileges and promises from God."
No, the promises are always found in Christ Jesus our Lord not in a birth record book. (Of course the new birth record book, the Lamb's book of life, we have hope.)
The promised blessings of God, the hope in Him is always by grace not by race.
Anyone who will come to Him by faith as their substitute, Lord and Saviour can lay claim on any promise which was given to Abraham except the physical land which was already fulfilled under Solomon, Gal. 3:26-29; I Ki. 8:12, (24, 40, 56)-61.
The blessings of Abraham are ours by faith in Him.