Daily Bible Devotionals

“Then God saw their actions – that they had turned from their evil ways – so God relented from the disaster He had threatened to do to them. And He did not do it.”  Jonah 3:10 (HCSB)

Jonah, being a prophet, was very aware of God’s message to Nineveh. He knew that Assyria’s army had been defeated, and he was aware that from their humbled state, Nineveh would quite possibly repent and admit that YHWH was the only true God.

Before we cast stones at Jonah, let’s put ourselves in his shoes. Imagine a street gang terrorizing your neighborhood. Suppose that the gang members had even harassed people close to you, perhaps killing a member of your family.

After all that, how would you respond if God told you to share the gospel with them? What if God told you He was hoping the gang members would repent so He could show His grace to them, allowing them to escape the justice they deserved? Would you answer God’s call or let Him roll to spiritual “voice mail”?

This was Jonah’s dilemma. It was also the apostle Peter’s.

After watching the Sanhedrin unjustly accuse and beat Jesus and seeing Romans flog and crucify Him, Peter was probably ready to check out of being a disciple. He went back to his old job, fishing. I’m confident the last thing he wanted was for grace to be shown to a Roman!

But one morning, Jesus appeared to Peter, along with Thomas, Nathaniel, James, and John, as they were fishing. Later, on the shore, Jesus began a dialogue with Peter. Three times, He addressed Peter as “Son of Jonah.”  (John 21:15)

Jesus called Peter “Son of Jonah,” partly because He would eventually send Peter to evangelize a Roman, and Peter would encounter all manner of Gentiles. It was the equivalent of Jonah’s calling to share God’s Word with evil Nineveh.  

Peter’s first recorded Gentile convert was a Roman centurion named Cornelius. Cornelius believed because Peter heeded God’s call to share the gospel with a Roman. Where was Peter when God called Him? He was in Joppa, the same city where Jonah had boarded the boat to flee from God’s calling.  

“Simon, son of Jonah.”  There is grace in that term because God chose to remember Jonah’s repentance instead of his rebellion. Similarly, Jesus chose to focus on Peter’s faithful future rather than his history of faithless denials.

There is no one so bad that they cannot receive God’s grace and no one so good that they don’t need it. It is not up to us to decide who may follow Jesus. We are simply called to faithfully and freely share the gospel with everyone. Who knows? Your next best friend could be a former enemy you lead to Jesus today!

“‘While I was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple. Those who are followers of worthless idols abandon their faithfulness, but I will sacrifice to You with a voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord.’ Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land.” Jonah 2:7-10 (NASB)

During a 2008 Republican debate, the candidates were asked whether they believed everything in the Bible was true. As could be imagined, there was some mighty soft stepping around that question!

One of the candidates, Rudy Giuliani, said that he believed some parts of the Bible were literal and some metaphoric. He said, “For instance, I don’t believe Jonah was actually in the belly of a whale.”

It never ceases to amaze me how people refuse to follow their faith to faithful conclusions. They refuse to do so, perhaps because they fear that faithful assumptions may lead to faithful statements and stands. Faithful stands may lead to our being alienated by others. This is, in effect, idolatry because we elevate the opinions of faithless men over God’s command to walk faithfully in His Word.

Do I believe Jonah was in the belly of an actual whale? A better question might be: Is it possible for the God of all creation to sustain the life of a man in the belly of a whale for three days and three nights? Yes, it is.

Scientists have proven that it is indeed possible for a person to survive three days & nights in the belly of certain whales, but that’s not the point. The point is whether we believe the Lord can (or would wish to) accomplish such a miracle. If you can prove the feasibility of an event, it ceases to be a miracle. It simply becomes a rare phenomenon. God is in the MIRACLE business! Whenever He wants to seize our attention and command our respect, He does things that cannot be explained, even as phenomenal. The only description we can offer is “miraculous.”  For instance, when the children of Israel needed bread in the desert, God provided it. The word they used to describe it was “manna,” which translates, “What is it?”  God had performed a miracle, and there was no other thing in the world to compare it to.    

I bring this up because Jonah’s need for salvation is not unlike our own. Whether we are in a literal or figurative “belly of a whale,” God hears our cries for help, and He has the inexhaustible means to deliver us when conventional, even phenomenal, delivery options are absent.  

Salvation is by God’s grace, through our faith in Jesus alone. To deny the exclusivity of His salvation is to forsake the miracle of Messiah’s faithful love. To accept it leads to a response of thanksgiving and the bold fulfillment of our vow to Him, to follow whenever and wherever He leads, even into situations from which there is no earthly possibility of deliverance.

If we genuinely believe that Jesus can raise us from the dead and live forever with Him in heaven, then why do we hesitate to carry the gospel into life-threatening venues? And why should we have a problem believing in God’s ability to preserve one guy in a whale’s belly?

“But there will be a deliverance on Mount Zion, and it will be holy; the house of Jacob will dispossess those who dispossessed them. Then the house of Jacob will be a blazing fire, and the house of Joseph a burning flame, but the house of Esau will be stubble; they will set them on fire and consume them. Therefore no survivor will remain, of the house of Esau, for the Lord has spoken.” Obadiah 17-18 (HCSB)

Jacob and Esau were the twin sons of the patriarch, Isaac. Their sibling rivalry was far beyond normal. From the outset, the older was to serve the younger. We see a pattern elsewhere in Scripture: Cain & Abel, Ishmael & Isaac, Reuben & Joseph, and Ephraim & Manasseh.

“And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.’” Genesis 25:21-23 (ESV)

As the boys grew up, Esau sold his birthright (the right to lead the family spiritually) to Jacob for a bowl of soup. Then, Jacob tricked his blind father, Isaac, into giving him the family blessing instead of Esau. Alongside their notorious personal relationship, “Jacob” and “Esau” are also synonymous with the nations that descended from them: Israel and Edom.

When Israel came out of Egypt and headed toward Canaan, Edom refused to let them pass through their land. When Babylon fought against Israel, Edom stood quietly by, and when Jerusalem was destroyed, Edom cast lots with Babylon to divide the spoils.

But beyond the familial and national relationships, there is a more profound symbolism at play with Jacob and Esau. The brothers are also symbolic of the inner struggle of every believer between our old “fleshly” self-serving nature and the “new creation,” learning to overcome the flesh by discipline and submission to God’s Word. The Lord declares at the beginning of the book of Malachi, “I have loved Jacob, but Esau I hated,” and Obadiah’s prophecy clarifies the depth of that hatred. Where Scripture says that believers from foreign nations are restored and brought into blessing in the millennial kingdom, Edom will fall and rise no more: total destruction.

Therefore, even though our flesh may rise up, strut, intimidate, and surge within us at times, threatening our spiritual well-being, we know the flesh has a certain, hell-bound end. So, we believers await, with joy and confidence, the day when all flesh and everything that presently disturbs and distresses us will be overthrown forever - when Messiah Jesus, alone, will be exalted. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

“Hear this! The days are coming – this is the declaration of the Lord God – when I will send a famine through the land; not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but of hearing the Words of the Lord. People will stagger from sea to sea, and roam from north to east, seeking the Word of the Lord but they will not find it.” Amos 8:11-12 (HCSB)

When I was in college, I went to a Bible study with a couple of crazy brothers, Rich and Dave Christiano. They were “crazy,” in a good way. I remember one of them challenged us to 2 two-week fasts. The first was a fast from the media. No music/TV/movies for two weeks. Could you do it? The second fast was from reading the Bible. Obviously, he didn’t want us to stop reading the Bible for two weeks. He was simply making a point: Would you miss your media more than you would miss your Bible? Sadly, I was way more bummed about the prospects of two weeks without media.

That was God’s point in today’s passage, exactly. He kept His Word and, shortly after that, began an era of 400 years of prophetic silence. The Israelites must have laughed at Amos’ words. I can hear their reactions, “Is that all He’s got? We were expecting something like another earthquake, a flood, or disease. But a famine from a book we seldom read? Bring it on!”

The United States is experiencing various hardships at the moment. It is a slow collapse yet observable. In the past, if a person got laid off, they had a better-than-average chance of getting another comparable job. After a few weeks, they were back in stride. But these days, there are hardly any jobs to have. So, layoffs lead to long-term unemployment, which brings down longstanding institutions like banks and other industry giants. I say all that to make this point: Many people, even professing followers of Jesus, are picking up their Bibles and reading them for the very first time! That is why these daily Bible devotionals exist, to fill that need. I saw America’s “famine from the Word” coming a long way off. In a sense, I was born into the beginning of that era. When the average American has exhausted all other options to escape certain ruin, they often reach out to God as their last-ditch effort.  

I don’t like this current season our country is in; quite honestly, it hurts. But I thank the Lord for such a season, nonetheless. And I hope people are sincerely seeking God in these times. I hope they are returning to the Lord (or coming to Him for the first time) with their whole hearts. Because today’s chapter describes God’s eventual response to people who only give Him “lip service” when things get uncomfortable yet return to their backsliding ways once things appear to be getting more comfortable. Eventually, even God’s grace wears thin. Justice will ultimately override grace and mercy.

Imagine losing everything, literally being invaded by a foreign country and hauled off as slaves. That would be horrible. But it would be even worse if you looked for comfort from God’s Word, and all you could find was silence or “I told you so.”

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6 (HCSB)

“Woe to those who are at ease in Zion and to those who feel secure on the hill of Samaria – the notable people in this first of the nations, those the house of Israel comes to.  Cross over to Calneh and see; go from there to great Hamath; then go down to Gath of the Philistines.  Are you better than these kingdoms?  Is their territory larger than yours?  You dismiss any thought of the evil day and bring in a reign of violence.” Amos 6:1-3 (HCSB)

The whole nation of Israel (not just the ten northern tribes) had provoked the Lord.  So, today’s chapter concludes with a stirring word to those living at ease in Zion, as well as those who trusted in the idol worship on the mountain of Samaria.  

Down in the southern kingdom, the danger facing their brothers in the northern kingdom seemed far off.  The Judeans in Jerusalem took comfort in the fact that Samaria could withstand a siege long enough to give the Judeans plenty of opportunities to prepare if the enemies drew near.  Therefore, Judah took it easy, unconcerned about obeying the voice of God, calling them to repentance.  Neither did Judah waste any time feeling sorry for their brothers getting pummeled in the North.  Surely, Israel in the North was judged for their blatant idolatry, so Judah self-righteously abstained from the fight.

“At ease in Zion” should, perhaps, be a synonym we adopt to describe that unexercised, lazy condition in which so many professing “Christians” find themselves in our generation.  How easy is it for us to disregard God’s Word concerning the times we are living in?  But if God’s people are indifferent to what is important to Him, how could we be surprised when He refuses to act for us when greater difficulties and afflictions arise?

God points to Philistine cities, once splendid and magnificent, now destroyed.  What better was Israel than these kingdoms?  In that sense, when it comes to idolatry, is the United States any more righteous than Haiti or India?  No, we do not openly profess voodoo.  Our idols are far more sophisticated, yet idols, nonetheless.

Violence and corruption were rampant within their borders, but Israel still considered the “evil day” of God’s judgment to be far off.  They stretched out on ivory beds, feasted without fear, chanted their improvised worship songs performed on instruments of their own imagination, drank wine, and delighted in costly ointments while God indicted them, saying, “…but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph”.  In short, you’re just out for yourselves and have lost all sense of “family.”

In our narcissistic, “me-centric” culture, Satan’s great triumph has been the breakdown of the family.  We have lost what it means to be a vital part of a community, so we seek to please ourselves simply because we do not trust anyone who seeks pleasure for us.  One of the worst conditions on earth is the independent soul.  We are created to be wholly dependent upon God and interdependent within the community of believers.  So, when you see a brother or sister in need, lend a hand in the name of Jesus, whose hands bear the scars of His giving.

“He showed me this: The Lord was standing there by a vertical wall with a plumb line in His hand. The Lord asked me, ‘What do you see, Amos?’  I replied, ‘A plumb line.’  Then the Lord said, ‘I am setting a plumb line among My people Israel; I will no longer spare them: Isaac’s high places will be deserted, and Israel’s sanctuaries will be in ruins; I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with a sword.’” Amos 7:7-9 (HCSB)

The last section of the book of Amos contains a series of five visions, symbolically setting forth divine judgment and drawing chapters 7 and 9 into one complete thought. Chapter seven begins with three of these visions. The first vision is a plague of devouring locusts, and the second is a consuming fire. In both instances, Amos interceded for the people, pleading for the Lord to stop His revealed plans of destruction. The reason Amos pleaded with the Lord was that it was evident that if God were to follow through, “Jacob” (the whole community of Israel) would have been completely destroyed. Everyone who prays should be encouraged because the Lord stopped His plans on both occasions.

Why would God cease His plans simply because of the prayer of one of His creatures? Many reasons have been put forth: One suggests that God remembered that the humanity of Jesus, Savior of the World, was to be passed down through the physical line of David. Another reason suggests that God remembered His everlasting covenant with Israel. But I don’t like either of those reasons because they put forth that God was forgetful and had to be reminded, not a very “omniscient” posture for an all-knowing God.  

I believe that God never intended to go through with either judgment. Rather, He incited Amos to pray. I have learned the best way to get my children to repent is to tell them the list of punishments I am considering!! I may have to go through several scenarios, but eventually, I always land on one close to their hearts (or at least their backsides!). God does not delight in punishing us when we turn from our sins. He delighted to hear the fervent prayers of his repentant children, and He was pleased with Amos’ petition. Amos was not solely concerned with his personal survival; he had the entire nation on his prayer list! Do you pray for others to the extent that you pray for yourself?

Furthermore, by sharing the first two scenarios, God was showing His capabilities. It’s the reason countries televise their military parades and missile test launches. Even after the Assyrians had sacked Israel and deported her people, the children of Israel would remember Amos’ first two visions and look to God as gracious. While the destruction was massive, the survivors knew it could have been much worse!

The Lord chose a plumb line. It seems a little weak after the images of fire and locusts, but it was infinitely more effective because it was personal. The first two judgments were against the entire community of Israel. But God had determined to judge each person, using the gravity of His Word as a building inspector uses a plumb line. Long before Jesus died on the cross, God had implemented the idea of personal judgment. Jew and Gentile alike are judged according to the same standard: God’s Word.

“Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and the Lord, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have claimed. Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the Lord will be gracious to the Remnant of Joseph.” Amos 5:14-15 (HCSB)

I love my country. I grew up in that part of the United States where people are really proud to be Americans. My father was an officer in the military, and I was brought up to be patriotic. So, I am sad to see what America has become, and I pray for revival in our nation because the Bible is very clear about where we are headed unless we repent.

The fifth chapter of Amos’ book is a sad and solemn dirge-like lament over the fallen nation that he loved so well. Israel had utterly broken down as a people in their allegiance and faithfulness to God and had no claim to blessing based on their righteousness. If they were to rise again, it must only be by the grace of God because nothing but judgment could have awaited them.

Lest we esteem ourselves above Israel of old, remember that everything God would commit solely to mankind is destined to fail. This includes the testimony of The Church. But God has infinite resources in Himself, displayed by His grace towards us, to accomplish His purposes on earth through us, yet despite us! In the words of Oswald Chambers, concerning man’s role in evangelism: “God has given us a limited participation in something He does not need us to do.” I say that God has given us limited participation in something we do not deserve, apart from His grace! The apostle Peter understood his role. He graciously rebuked Cornelius, who bowed down to worship Peter simply because Peter was sent by God.

“But Peter made him get up, ‘Stand up,’ he said, ‘I am only a man myself.’” Acts 10:26 (HCSB)

Shortly after killing Goliath, David penned these words.

“Put them in fear, O Lord, That the nations may know themselves to be but men” Psalm 9:20 (NKJV)

As we learned in Amos, chapter 4, the five plagues that God sent to Israel were not His judgment as much as they were His grace toward Israel. At the end of each plague, God said, “…yet, you did not return to Me”.

In today’s passage, even with judgment at the gates of Jerusalem, as it were, God is still extending His grace toward His people. Oh, there is no stopping the destruction of Jerusalem; God’s grace is focused on the Remnant, those few Jewish people who would survive the Babylonian siege by God’s grace as they placed their faith in His Word.

I put forth that God is plaguing America in like manner; He is making things increasingly difficult. And we are experiencing waves of crisis that are created with the intent that we repent and return to Him.  Will we learn our lessons from Amos’s generation, or will future generations learn their lessons by reading about our poor choices?

“If a ram’s horn is blown in a city, aren’t people afraid? If a disaster occurs in a city, hasn’t the Lord done it? Indeed, the Lord God does nothing without revealing His counsel to His servants the prophets. A lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who will not prophesy?” Amos 3:6-8 (HCSB)

Beginning in verse 4, Amos declares the reason for his message. It is a simple display of physics: An object at rest remains at rest unless acted upon. Otherwise, restful people get afraid because the ram’s horns are blown, and lions roar. Likewise, the Lord is bringing disaster upon (otherwise peaceful) Israel because sin has caused it, and (otherwise quiet) prophets are speaking God’s Word because He is speaking to them.

At present, the World is full of calamity. And while we may not be able to pinpoint any particular person’s sin (as the cause of the catastrophe), we can be sure that calamity exists because of sin’s presence. The fact that the Lord Himself would cause disaster has frustrated some overzealous for the reputation of the Lord. But a God who will not judge sin is not a God of love. Love sets a standard and governs by it. That is why Jesus had to die on the cross; the judgment of God had to be levied, and He was the only possible substitute.  

God’s judgment is the reason why believers can worship while taking communion, and unbelievers eat and drink judgment upon themselves. (1 Corinthians 11:29) It’s not that taking communion curses an unbeliever. Unbelievers are condemned already. (John 3:18) It simply means that while believers partake to remember the wrath removed, unbelievers are reminded of what awaits them because they have refused Messiah’s atonement.

The prophets had good cause to claim to speak on behalf of God. God had revealed His secrets to them. Therefore, we must boldly proclaim the truth God has revealed to us, through His Word. (1 Corinthians 14:1) The Bible is the only reason a believer can boldly proclaim, “The Lord has spoken!” Scripture is not only the proper moral ground, but it is the only proper moral ground that has ever existed!

If God has not spoken (or if a person does not believe God has spoken) through the Bible, then one man’s guess is as good as another’s; one philosopher’s speculations are as worthy of consideration as the next guy’s. Just a quick visit to your local public school or secular university will enlighten you on how little credence the Bible gets in our culture.

But if God Himself has spoken (as He has in His Word), then every matter of contention is settled in the hearts of those who fear Him. Amos’ challenge was similar to ours: Preach God’s Word to a people who have rejected its credibility, relevance, and authority. So, we use the same argument as Amos: If we were pleasing to God, why would He be allowing all this disaster, calamity, warfare - things set apart for judgment of sin - to run rampant in our midst? And if the Bible says it will only get worse unless we repent, then why not repent?

“For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept His commandments. Their lies lead them astray, lies their fathers followed. But I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem.” Amos 2:4-5 (NKJV)

There are phrases in the Bible that seem like throw-away references, ones like, “He acted in the ways of his father…”, “He was the son of…” or “His mother was….” Often, we get so caught up in the Biblical storyline that we forget those (above) phrases that give us foundational information as to why the narrative is occurring and how we are to predict the outcome of an instance. In short, the Lord is telling us that “apples don’t fall far from the tree.” If something unnatural is going to happen (a person from an idolatrous family who defies their upbringing and chooses to live righteously), it must be the Lord intervening. In today’s chapter, both Judah and Israel are being judged because of their idolatry. But God, in His grace, reveals the source of idolatry: Fathers believed lies and taught them to their children, and worldliness polluted God’s Word. Lies built upon lies led to a generation that believed they were worshipping God, yet in opposition to His true desire for His people to live. That scenario was against God’s instruction to fathers.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV)

“…the father shall make known Your truth to the children.” (Isaiah 38:19b)

The idea of restoring a generation to the proper father/son discipleship relationship is the intent of Jesus’s words to His disciples. It is what He modeled to them and charged them to impart in the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20)

“Jesus said to him (Thomas), ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.’ Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.  Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.’” John 14:6-18 (NKJV)

“The words of Amos who was one of the sheep breeders from Tekoa – what he saw regarding Israel in the days of Uzziah, king of Judah, and Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. He said: the Lord roars from Zion and raises His voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds dry up, and the summit of Carmel withers.” Amos 1:1-2 (HCSB)

Concerning Amos, we have much more biographical information than we had of Joel (or any of the other “minor” prophets). Amos gives us several autobiographical notes of deep interest. Amos was a prophet, but he probably was not a contemporary of Joel and Isaiah. He was not a prophet by trade nor a member of the “company of prophets.”  Amos was a sheep breeder, a businessman who prophesied.

This mere fact should encourage every layman: prophecy is not exclusively a calling for the “professionals.”  As a matter of fact, the apostle Paul said that the ability to prophesy was something every believer should petition the Lord for.

“Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1 (HCSB)

Paul goes on to say the reason that believers prophesy is to speak to people for edification, encouragement, and consolation, building up the community of believers. (1 Corinthians 14:3-4) Simply put, we should seek God and ask that He reveal His Word (the Bible) to us, with the intent that we would share that revelation with others. That’s how an everyday person like you and me (and Amos) prophesies. God reveals the Truth of His Word, so we will share it, which is precisely what I am doing right now!

Amos was not just any businessman; he was a shepherd. (In chapter 7, we will find that he was also a gatherer of figs, which I will discuss when we reach that chapter.)  God is partial to shepherds. David was a shepherd. When Jesus was born, the angels appeared first to shepherds; Jesus called Himself the “Good Shepherd.”  Whenever the prophets railed against Israel’s spiritual and political leaders, they were always compared to evil, wicked shepherds. Do you have a shepherd’s heart? Then, you should be inclined to alter your life’s plans to rescue and care for God’s “sheep.”  Remember: Jesus’ last exhortation to Peter was a three-time command to “Feed My sheep.”

Not only was Amos a regular guy and a shepherd, but he was also from Tekoa, about 12 miles outside of Jerusalem. Joab sent a “wise woman” from Tekoa to persuade David to permit Absalom to return to him, in plain violation of the Torah. (2 Samuel 14:2). Ira, the son of Ikkesh, one of David’s mighty men, was born in Tekoa. (2 Samuel 23:26). The zeal of the men of Tekoa is spoken of, but their nobles were reproved in connection with the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 3:5, 27) Tekoa was a desert town, isolated and surrounded by large hills, a humble place from which God separated Amos and called him to be a prophet. Sometimes, as believers, it can feel like we are alone in the World. But that is the perfect place from which the Lord can call you!

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the Day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will cease their shining. The Lord will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will shake. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the Israelites. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who dwells from Zion; My holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy and foreigners will never overrun it again.” Joel 3:14-17 (HCSB)

I recall being in Israel one summer, and a young man I was traveling with was overcome with grief over the idea that God would send anyone to Hell. He said, ‘I believe that when each person stands before the Lord, He will give them one last chance to choose Jesus, and the evidence will be so overwhelming that everyone will choose Him.’  I wish that were so, but the Bible clearly discloses an opposite future for the unbeliever.

“And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment— so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Hebrews 9:27-28 (HCSB)

Verse 14 of Joel’s third chapter is a graphic depiction of a very solemn scene: The Judgment of God. It is a verse which is often misunderstood. To be clear, it is the Lord who is doing the deciding, not a time when men are called upon to decide to follow Messiah, Jesus. It is common knowledge among believers that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, and that atonement is offered to all who would accept it. But, examining the eye-witness accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion, notice how exactly His punishment (on the cross) fits Joel’s description of God’s judgment in the “Valley of Decision” - literally, in Hebrew: The valley of YHWH’s judgment)

“From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice,“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” Matthew 27:45-54 (NIV)

Jesus suffered the exact penalty for our sins so that we can stand boldly (not proudly) before God, fully justified. (Romans 8:32-39) Run to the refuge while it is still offered!

“After this I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions. I will even pour out My Spirit on the male and female slaves in those days. I will display wonders in the heavens and on the earth: blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and awe-inspiring Day of the Lord comes. Then everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh will be saved, for there will be an escape for those on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, as the Lord promised, among the survivors the Lord calls.” Joel 2:28-32 (HCSB)

As I mentioned in yesterday’s devotional of Joel 1, prophecy in the TANAKH (Old Testament) speaks to three measures of time: 1.) The somewhat immediate future, 2.) The first coming of Jesus/His earthly ministry, and 3.) the 2nd coming of Jesus/the establishment of His Heavenly Kingdom. In today’s chapter, the images are clear enough for the average Bible student to decipher because they speak of events that we are familiar with: 1.) The Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem (Joel’s extended generation), 2.) the Roman destruction of Jerusalem (After Jesus’ resurrection in 70A.D.), and 3.) the coming Day of the Lord as depicted in The Revelation.

As in all three periods, a call has gone out for the people to return to the Lord wholeheartedly.  

“‘Even now—this is the Lord’s declaration— turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him, so you can offer grain and wine to the Lord your God.” Joel 2:12-14 (HCSB)

There are false notions about God in the Church at large. One false assumption is that the God of the Old Testament is different from the New Testament God. Some people believe God used to be angry all of the time, judging sin more frequently than in our time. They also think the New Testament God is loving and kind, not so hasty to judge sin, more like a cosmic grandfather. In today’s chapter, Joel tells us that, even in the days of Uzziah, God was merciful, compassionate, and slow to anger.

Another false notion is that the Old Testament was written to the Jewish people alone. Today’s passage (from the Old Testament) reveals that God has always planned to pour out His Spirit on “all humanity.” In fact, that happened when the Holy Spirit was given on the Day of Shavuot (Pentecost) in Acts 2. Important to note is that “all humanity” does not mean “everybody.” It refers to the fact that people from every nation and tongue will believe in Messiah Jesus, and God will give His Spirit to all who place their faith in His Son’s atoning work. Also, among the survivors are “those who are called,” i.e., Jewish believers are seen mixed with the Gentile believers, yet still distinguished as Jews in the New Jerusalem, as they are, even today.

“Woe because of that day! For the Day of the Lord is near and will come as a devastation from the Almighty. Hasn’t the food been cut off from our eyes, joy and gladness from the house of our God?” Joel 1:15-16 (HCSB)

We don’t know a lot about ol’ Joel. All that one could ever understand about him is gleaned from the three chapters that form his message to Israel. Jewish tradition places him in the days of Uzziah, about 750-795 B.C. For a point of reference, Isaiah began prophesying during the reign of King Uzziah. Uzziah was a prosperous king, guided by the prophet Zechariah, but his pride led to his eventual downfall. As a result of his pride, Uzziah developed leprosy. Because of the nation’s sin (during Uzziah’s reign), there was a great earthquake and a famine resulting from locust infestation. Considering Joel’s account of the locust plague and his description of the earthquake (in chapter 2), we can rightly place Joel toward the end of Uzziah’s reign.

As I have mentioned before (when we have studied other prophets), prophecy is generally commenting on three stages of time: 1) Present-day/immediate future, 2) Jesus’ first coming/earthly ministry, and 3) End Times/Jesus’ return and fully established Kingdom. All three stages have the same message: Return to the Lord!  

Considering these three stages, we can see that Joel spoke of things happening in his own time. There was an actual famine caused by locusts and a real earthquake. Within 150 years, a whole other sort of “three-fold plague of locusts” would swarm Judah and destroy her completely: The Babylonians. Joel’s message was both timely and prophetic. Joel’s prophecy reminds us of the turbulent political and religious condition of Israel when Jesus was born, and it reminds us of Jesus’ words concerning a time yet to come:

“Then they will hand you over for persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name. Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered. This good news of the Kingdom will be proclaimed in the entire world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.” Matthew 24:9-14 (HCSB)

In one sense, Jesus spoke of the immediate future concerning the persecution of the early believers. But He also spoke directly of the end times, which I believe we are living in now. Still, the prophetic message is the same: Return to the Lord! As was the case with King Josiah in 2 Kings 22, so it may be in our time. The Judgment of the Lord was inevitable, but because King Josiah humbled himself (and the people followed suit), God relented His judgment against that generation. Based on God’s Word, what is His message for our generation? Return to the Lord, and bring as many people to His salvation as He allows you to!

“O Israel, you are destroyed, but your help is from Me. I will be your King; where is any other, that he may save you in all your cities? And your judges to whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes’? I gave you a king in My anger, and took him away in My wrath.” Hosea 13:9-11 (NKJV)

God’s utmost desire is to save sinners rather than punish them. (Ezekiel 18:23; 2 Peter 3:9)  Yet, He is a God of justice and will, ultimately, “…by no means, clear the guilty”. (Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:8)  In a world that seeks to elect “kings” to make nations great, the “God who elects” also runs as a candidate for election. It helps us to remember the leadership drought before Israel sought their first king.

“Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.  But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.  Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, ‘Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.’ But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.  According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day - with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods - so they are doing to you also. Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the King who will reign over them.’” 1 Samuel 8:1-9 (NKJV)

We must remember that God is not against kings, only kings who refuse to make Him King of their own lives. **Messiah Jesus is the “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords.”

“When you come to the land which the Lord your God is giving you, and possess it and dwell in it, and say, ‘I will set a king over me like all the nations that are around me,’ you shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’ Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself. Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.” Deuteronomy 17:14-20 (NKJV)

“But I am the Lord your God, ever since the land of Egypt; I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast.” Hosea 12:9 (NKJV)

I love to watch documentaries, especially the ones about rock bands. My favorite part of every documentary is “the early years.” I like knowing how bands got together, how they struggled to make it, and how they overcame the odds to become successful. Once a band reaches success, I’m really not interested in most of their stories, nor am I particularly interested in their music. I would rather watch VH1’s “Behind The Music” than MTV’s “Cribs.”

Somehow, I relate more to a person’s struggle than their achievement. Perhaps that early era resonates with me because I learned most of my important life lessons during hard times.

I get the same feeling when I read the story of Israel. When they were wandering the desert, living in tents, God taught them to RELY on Him. When He miraculously provided for their needs, He taught them TRUST. Then, as He brought more challenges, they began to respond in FAITH.

Once Israel was settled into Canaan, their story took on a more unappealing perspective. Everyone cheers for the underdog long shot. Nobody has sympathy or empathy for the unappreciative kid who was born into blessing. The Lord recognized that the spiritual condition of Israel could not be cured with more “abundance.” If Israel was going to amount to anything, as a “nation of priests,” God was going to have to take them back to their roots.  

Israel would have to wander again as a people. If the Hebrews were bent on forsaking God’s festivals, He would make them suffer those same conditions of Egyptian-style oppression again. If they were to undergo the same oppressive conditions, perhaps the children of Israel would again cry out to God for deliverance.  

There was one exception:  Israel would not wander as a nation, as in the Exodus. This time, they would be in small communities, families, and individuals. God was sending a message that Israel’s sin was not so much at the national level but rather the personal one.

God cares as much about the process of our faith as He does the product of it. Do not despise the day of small things, those initial faithful attempts to return to God. (Zechariah 4:10) From our humbled states, meekness sprouts roots. When we have been rebuked for our rebellion, God graciously allows us to repent and submit again to His Lordship. We learn our greatest lessons amid our most difficult hardships. And by virtue of His holiness and great love for His children, the Lord will ordain hardship so we can reach the end of ourselves, realize the futility of rebellion, and return with the remembrance of how bad sin feels and how wonderfully restoration resounds.

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. As they called them, so they went from them; they sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to carved images. I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them.  I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.” Hosea 11:1-4 (NKJV)

It is important to note that the name “Ephriam” is used in the Bible in three senses. First, Ephriam was one of Joseph’s boys (along with his brother Manasseh) fathered with his Egyptian (not Jewish) bride. (A foreshadowing of spiritual intimacy) Still, Jacob blessed them as if they were his own sons.

“And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.” Genesis 48:5 (NKJV)

Secondly, “Ephriam” is associated with the land of Ephriam, a territory given to the tribe of Ephriam by the Lord when Israel crossed the Jordan 40 years after leaving Egypt. We must also remember that the only two faithful reports about the Promised Land (from the 12 tribal spies) came from Caleb (the tribe of Judah) and Joshua (the tribe of Ephriam). (Joshua 16-17)

Thirdly, “Ephriam” is synonymous with apostasy and idolatry (spiritual adultery). After the death of King Solomon, his son, Rehoboam, acted foolishly, and an Ephraimite named Jeroboam arose and persuaded 10 of the 12 Israelite tribes to follow him. To keep the people from uniting in worship (in Jerusalem) with their Israelite brothers of the tribes of Judah & Benjamin, Jeroboam set up two golden calves for the people to worship in Dan & Bethel. Henceforth, in Old Testament Scripture, the Jewish people are a divided kingdom known as “Israel” (aka Northern Kingdom/Ephriam) and “Judah” (Southern Kingdom), collectively. (1 Kings 12)

Hopefully, understanding “Ephriam” in its proper Biblical context (and specifically God’s continuing love for them in Hosea 11) helps you understand this often passed-over passage in the Christmas story “Wise Men” narrative.

“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.’ When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’” Matthew 2:13-15 (NKJV)

Of the tribe of Judah, Jesus’ Egyptian “exodus” signaled a firm faithfulness (conquering death and sin) that Caleb’s heroism only partly showed. Yet, He gracefully redeems the idolatrous route Joshua’s tribe (Ephraim/Israel) eventually pursued.

“Ephraim is a well-trained calf that loves to thresh, but I will place a yoke on her fine neck. I will harness Ephraim; Judah will plow; Jacob will do the final plowing. Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love; break up your unplowed ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.”  Hosea 10:11-12 (HCSB)

As we move into the latter half of the Tanakh (Old Testament), the name “Ephraim” is used frequently among the prophets. “Ephraim” is synonymous with idolatry, primarily because Jeroboam, the Ephraimite, led Israel astray. He did so by dividing the kingdom politically and spiritually.  

Jeroboam set up two golden calves: One in Bethel and the other in Dan. The fashioning of these idols was intended to prevent the people from worshipping in Jerusalem. In doing so, Jeroboam significantly diminished the chances of the people’s hearts returning to the Lord.  

Eventually, idolatry spread throughout the whole nation, hardening hearts. This is the generation that Hosea is primarily writing to. This generation was about to be crushed and expelled from the land, dispersed among the nations.

Hosea’s comparison of Ephraim to a cow is possibly an allusion to their calf idol worship. The largest Israelite tribe, Ephraim, prided itself on treading upon Israel with what they believed was more open-minded and enlightened worship (because of its worldliness), crushing and dividing the Hebrew nation as a farm animal would tread out grain.  

God is telling Ephraim (aka Israel in the divided kingdom) that He is about to re-purpose their “bull-headedness,” as it were. God will make them disciplined and meek by subjecting them to the yoke of His rebuke. Eventually, Ephraim will be “broken,” as a horse must learn to obey its rider.

Today’s passage contains some beautifully simple agrarian imagery. With Ephraim harnessed and out of the way, Judah takes the leadership role in Hebrew restoration. Judah was more accustomed to challenging works of faith, so they plowed the hardened land. The rest of Israel follows Judah’s example by further breaking up the clods that Judah broke up.

In simple terms, Israel’s national heart was like hardened earth. By driving Israel out to live among (and be subject to) the Gentiles, God maximized their potential to turn back to Him. They would have no other choice but to turn to Him eventually. Like the turning of soil, God was softening their hearts to receive someday the chosen “seed” of Abraham, Messiah Jesus. Have you chosen the God who has chosen you? Or are you continuing to rebel against Him, hardening your heart toward Messiah Yeshua, like Pharaoh, Korah, Ephraim, and a host of others who suffered the Lord’s rebuke?

“The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have come. Let Israel recognize it! The prophet is a fool, and the inspired man is insane, because of the magnitude of your guilt and hostility. Ephraim’s watchman is with my God. The prophet encounters a fowler’s snare on all his ways. Hostility is in the house of his God! They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins.” Hosea 9:7-9 (HCSB)

To comprehend Israel’s moral & spiritual depravity at the time of Hosea, we must understand what the prophet means by the term “days of Gibeah.” The answer is found in Judges, chapter 19.  

A Levite living in the hill country of Ephraim, was traveling with his concubine to go and worship in Jerusalem. On their journey, the Levite and his concubine spent the night with an elderly gentleman in the city of Gibeah. Gibeah is in the territory of Benjamin.  

It was there that the following incident took place:

“While they were enjoying themselves, all of the sudden, perverted men of the city surrounded the house and beat on the door. They said to the old man who was the owner of the house, ‘Bring out the man who came to your house so that we can have sex with him!’” Judges 19: 22 (HCSB)

The older man offered his virgin daughter to the mob, and the Levite offered his concubine. This scene mirrors the one that brought judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah, except it directly involved tribes of Israel instead of pagan Gentiles. The Levite awoke the following morning to find his concubine dead in his doorway. She had been raped repeatedly. He cut her dead body into 12 pieces and sent them throughout Israel to rally the rest of Israel against the tribe of Benjamin.  

The event is known as “The Outrage in Benjamin” because the tribe of Benjamin would not admit any wrongdoing or punish those directly responsible.

Hosea tells us that Israel had corrupted themselves “as in the days of Gibeah.” Do you feel the gravity of his statement?

Consider the culture we live in today: legalized abortion, legalized homosexual marriage, liberal judges, and scandalous clergy. There is even opposition in many congregations toward Biblical preaching and anyone who holds the Bible as the infallible, authoritative Word of G_d.  Is Hosea not warning our generation, along with his own?

Let’s join together in prayer for revival: personal, corporate, national, and global.

“They have installed kings, but not through Me. They have appointed leaders, but without My approval. They make their silver and gold into idols for themselves for their own destruction. Your calf-idol is rejected, Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? For this thing is from Israel – a craftsman has made it and it is not God. The calf of Samaria will be smashed to bits!”  Hosea 8:4-6 (HCSB)

When people hear the word “innocence,” they may have varied definitions of what that means. As a matter of fact, “innocence” in the Bible has various meanings. When the Bible was translated into English, “innocence” became a “catch-all” term for several Hebrew words. As one could imagine, each Hebrew word bears a subtle yet distinct difference in definition.

In the book of Daniel is the word “ZAKHU,” meaning “absence of guilt of disloyalty to God.”  Then, in 1 Kings 2:31, there is “CHINNAM,” denoting “undeserved or without cause,” i.e., “victims of murder.” Job 33:9 uses “CHAPH” to describe “clean, by scraping or polishing” and refers to “forgiven sin,” which leads to moral purity. In all other places, the word “NIQQAYON” is found. It means “The absence of pollution,” connected with blood, and carries the idea of divine acquittal or forgiveness. In the New Testament, it is used twice in connection with blood. (Matthew 27:4, 24)

In Hosea 8 and 10, the word “niqqayon” is used. It means. “absence of pollution.”  Hosea is referencing Israel’s pollution due to idolatry. Hence, Israel was incapable of innocence as long as they worshipped idols.

We all remember the “golden calf” that Israel had made in direct defiance of God’s command to “not make any graven images” in Exodus 32. No doubt, every Hebrew child would have been taught this story. Yet, by Hosea’s generation, the Hebrew kingdom was split (two kingdoms, two kings). The pedestrian Jewish indifference to Adonai (the Lord) had reached the point where two more “golden calves” had been forged and were being worshipped.

Today’s challenge is for us to ask God to reveal our “idols.” Where are those we ascribed power (ergo, worship) to - power and worship that belongs only to God?

In the eyes of God, Christians remain in a constant state of “CHAPH” through the enduring atonement of the Messiah. That said, we may incur severe rebuke whenever we find ourselves lacking “NIQQAYON.” Thus, we find ourselves in the crosshairs of God’s righteous rebuke due to our allowing idolatry to creep back into our lives.

“Come let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, and He will heal us; He has wounded us, and He will bind up our wounds. He will revive us after two days, and on the third day He will raise us up so we can live in His presence. Let us strive to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like rain, like the spring showers that water the land.” Hosea 6:1-3 (HCSB)

As we learned in chapter five, God had determined to rebuke Israel for their sin of spiritual promiscuity. That is to say, He punished their idolatry. Not only did God judge their sin, but He established their only way of escape would be through their repentance as they earnestly turned back to Him. No other form of rescue exists when God rebukes.  

“Yes, I will tear them to pieces and depart. I will carry them off and no one can rescue them” Hosea 5:14b (HCSB)

In chapter six, Hosea pleads with Israel to accept that their only means of salvation is through their humble repentance. If God promised to judge our sins, and He specified that His judgment would take a certain form, and if it happened as He said it would, why would we refuse to accept His prescribed resolution to our dilemma? Only our pride would keep us from repenting. Yet, I see such pride in my life all too often.

Have you ever considered how Yeshua’s ministry is so foreign to our human nature? He humbled Himself before the Lord and said, “Not Mine, but Thy will be done.” Scripture tells us that Jesus never sinned, but to pay our sin penalty, He took the sin of the world upon Himself. (2 Corinthians 5:21) In doing this, Jesus also showed us His love for us and the severity of God’s hatred of (and His impending judgment of) our sin. When we consider Jesus’ suffering on our behalf, we are reminded that, apart from His atonement, the same level of suffering on the Roman cross would be awaiting us on the Day of Judgment.  

“Yet the Lord was pleased to crush Him severely. When You make Him a restitution offering, He will see His seed, He will prolong His days, and by His hand, the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished.” Isaiah 53:10 (HCSB)

Jesus’ willingness to atone for the sins of the world pleased God. Lest we get hung up on that word “pleased,” it is essential to clarify that Jesus’ suffering did not make God happy. The idea conveyed in Scripture is more transactional. When a convenience store sells a pack of gum for $1, and you pay the clerk $1, it pleases the clerk because you have satisfied the price requirement, and you owe nothing more than what was required. In the same manner, Jesus satisfied God’s righteous requirements for our sin debt.

In forecasting God’s forgiveness of repentant Israel, Hosea is also alluding to the story of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. In this, God is communicating, even to you & me, that we humble ourselves, turn from our sin, and accept Messiah’s sin self-offering; that we receive His atonement offered to us, by His Grace, through our Faith in Him.

“For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. Yes I will tear them to pieces and depart. I will carry them off, and no one can rescue them. I will depart and return to My place until they recognize their guilt and seek My face; they will search for Me in their distress.” Hosea 5:14-15 (HCSB)

Upon first reading today’s passage, my initial reaction was focused on the severity of Adonai’s judgment. He describes Himself as a lion, even a “young” lion eager to destroy and devour without restraint. There is an image of God put forth by many congregation leaders these days that He is a giant, all-loving “Grandfather” type of God. To those who hold to this view of God, He is the type who will never judge wrongdoing and who has infinite lap space for us to crawl up into. Perhaps those folks would read these verses and ask, “Where is the all-loving, all-accepting God we believe in? How could He do such a thing to His grandchildren?

I once heard a new Grandfather say he liked to spoil his grandchildren with gifts, fill them with sugar, and give them back to the parents, like “Top that!”. Grandfathers are supposed to be generous and more gracious than our parents. Grandfathers are always pardoning offenses because their age-honored wisdom has taught them that not every hill is worth “dying on” and because discipline is the Father’s job. Let’s face it: Grandfathers are pushovers, and we take advantage of them! And they like it that way. I can see why this image of God is popular. Because kids don’t have to live with Grandfathers all of the time, they get a distorted view of what it would be like to be that Grandfather’s child. But if a child were to ask their parents to describe growing up under the (now) Grandfather’s authority, the parents would recite a similar situation as every child/parent relationship.

But the truth is, God is never described in Scripture as a “Grandfather.”  He is our Father in heaven. (Matthew 6:9)  While He is gracious and merciful, He will not be taken advantage of. Anyone who holds to a passive view of God’s judgment will be caught unaware when that judgment comes. We know He will judge sin because He has promised to. The fact that His judgment does not come immediately should not be taken as if He doesn’t see, care, or have the ability to levy rebuke.

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NASB)

Let’s shift focus now from God’s judgment to His redemption. God’s love for His people is displayed through His rebuke, in that He hopes Israel would whole-heartedly turn to Him in their distress. His rebuke is intended not to destroy His people but to align them with His righteousness. If you have sinned against the Lord and you are feeling the pain of His rebuke, do not continue to rebel. Recognize your guilt and repent by turning back to Him, seeking His face. Only He can deliver you, and He desires your return to fellowship with Him.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you (priests) have rejected knowledge, I will reject you from serving as My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your sons.” Hosea 4:6 (HCSB)

There are many different ways to do “church.” Some congregations emphasize music. Others are into drama, visual arts, or creativity. Some are very emotional, and some are quite stoic. Some want to preach the Bible in declarative terms as if motivating a football team, while others are subtle in their teaching as if trying to catch a butterfly.

While I have my preferences, none of these approaches in and of themselves are wrong. They are simply ministry models, methods designed to reach the unreached. If Christians live long enough, they will probably use varied approaches in sharing the gospel because none of them go against God’s character, as He has revealed Himself in the Bible.

God is undoubtedly dramatic, visual, and creative. Scripture informs us that Jesus displayed a wide range of emotions. Jesus quoted the Bible directly and taught with questions and parables designed to make people think.

That said, there is a way of “doing church,” which the Lord detests. That detestable way is the one that withholds the complete knowledge of God and His Word from the disciple.

Where many Christians take issue with one or more of these ministry models is when a church presents its particular way as the “only” way. According to Scripture, God is not ambiguous about the issue. Regardless of their method of presentation, church leaders are responsible for communicating the entire character of God. Those who refuse or neglect to teach the complete knowledge of God will be judged.

Consider two other Biblical examples of how God’s leaders fell short of His standard and were challenged to rise up in faith:  

1) The book of Joshua (chapters 13-24) confronts seven tribes who entered the land of Canaan yet failed to take possession of their inheritance.

2) The book of Revelation (chapters 2-3) lists seven gifted churches, yet each fails to teach the complete knowledge of God. The Lord commands them to repent.

We read the Bible every day because we are zealous to grow in the knowledge of God. And we can only share His Word to the extent that we have received and believe it! So, let’s continue reading and asking the Lord to reveal His plan and purpose for us and that He will direct us to people who need to hear it, as well!

“Then the Lord said to Me, 'Go again; show love to a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, just as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.'” Hosea 3:1 (HCSB)

Today’s passage comes with the heading, “Waiting For Restoration.” In a sense, it could be the title of this present era of world history, especially for the Jewish people. Many are truly awaiting restoration: restoration to the land of Israel, and most importantly, awaiting restoration to God through Messiah Jesus.

Upon reading modern rabbinical interpretation, there is no argument against the fact that Israel was expelled from the Promised Land because of sin and idolatry. There is very little debate among rabbis concerning the idea that the spiritual condition of the Jews will be restored through the Messiah Jesus.

The debate rages at the suggestion that Jesus is, indeed, the Messiah that Israel has been waiting for!

“Husbands, love your wives as the Messiah loved the church and gave himself for it, so that he might make it holy by cleansing it, washing it with water and the word, and might present the church to himself in all its glory, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind, but holy and without fault.” Ephesians 5:25-27 (ISV)

Consider the level of love God commanded Hosea to love his wife. Then, consider the level of passion that Messiah-following husbands are called to love their wives with. It is easy to recognize how Hosea was a “picture” of the Messiah. Hosea’s story casts an image of marital love and reconciliation that Jesus would accomplish spiritually for unfaithful Israel. Messiah’s Grace and Mercy are extended to the Church, that is, all who by faith believe He is Messiah and have committed themselves to follow Him.

“So I bought her for 15 shekels of silver and five bushels of barley.” Hosea 3:2 (HCSB)

Can you imagine a husband who would be willing to purchase his prostitute wife just to rescue her and spend time with her? That is precisely what Jesus has done for us! We have been purchased by Jesus’ blood so that we might respond by loving Him.  Consider Hosea 3 against the backdrop of 1 Peter 1:17-21  

Hosea 3 ends with the promise that “Israel” will be restored to God, but do not assume that ALL Jews will enter His kingdom. (Romans 9:6)  Remember that “Israel” was delivered into Canaan, yet a whole generation was not allowed to enter because of sin. So it will be, for all who reject Messiah, having rejected so great a love and salvation.  

This is a “waiting for restoration” season for the whole world. There is great urgency in this season, yet also great hope, in that Messiah extends His invitation to all mankind.

“When the Lord first spoke to Hosea, He said this to him: Go and marry a promiscuous wife and have children of promiscuity, for the land is committing blatant acts of promiscuity by abandoning the Lord.” Hosea 1:2 (HCSB)

The story of the prophet Hosea is disturbing for many followers of Jesus. The modern Messianic community has very little understanding of “Calling.” Our operational theology has almost no room for the idea that God would call righteous men and women to actions that would result in our suffering and humility. That is because it is hard for us to imagine there are times when our suffering may have nothing to do with our sin, that it may be a product of God’s Grace.  

Hosea was a prophet, so there is no indication that he was willfully sinning against the Lord. Could it be that God would call Hosea to suffer, not to punish his sinfulness, but to reward his righteousness? Had Hosea earned the trust of the Lord in that He would lead Hosea into a situation that a less-faithful person could not endure? What does that mean to us? Are we so preoccupied with protecting our reputation and trying to market God’s image in a positive light that we cannot follow God’s call into uncomfortable or unsavory situations?

God had a message for Israel, and it was going to take a special messenger to deliver it. God’s chosen venue to relay His message was through an unholy and promiscuous marriage. God’s messenger needed to trust Him through any situation. If this story has been written (at least in part) to encourage us to trust God even when it goes against social and cultural norms, then how was Hosea able to answer God’s call?

Hopefully, we are all aware of how Jesus trusted the Father, enduring even death by the cross. So, we are also familiar with how Jesus was raised from the grave and is alive today! The apostle Paul is another example of someone given a “calling” that most of us would never choose. Let’s consider some of Paul’s statements.  

“For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— you have heard, haven’t you, about the administration of God’s grace that He gave to me for you?” Ephesians 3:1-2 (HCSB)

“So then I ask you not to be discouraged over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are for your glory.” Ephesians 3:13 (HCSB)

“For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.” Philippians 1:29 (HCSB)

As we explore the book of Hosea, let’s pray the Lord will open our hearts to His calling wherever and however He leads.