(REFLECTIONS ON Joel 2:1-32) As we read the words of the prophets, we really need to go beyond the words and visualize what the prophet is seeing. Words cannot describe fully the overwhelming physical and spiritual vision that a prophet sees. In today’s Scripture, we can visualize a powerful army coming towards Jerusalem. This powerful army […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Joel 1:1-20) In today’s Scripture, the prophet Joel speaks to God’s people regarding the destruction to their land and the resources to sustain life. Interestingly we read over and over again a reference to those things that are dried up. v.10 The new wine dries upv.12 All the trees of the field dry upv.12 […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 14:1-9) 9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but transgressors will stumble in them. The words of Hosea are to serve as God’s wisdom for those that understand and […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 13:1-16) 6 As they had their pasture, they became satisfied,And being satisfied, their heart became proud;Therefore they forgot Me. 9 It is your destruction, O Israel, That you are against Me, against your help. Are we for the Lord or against Him? Have we forgotten our God? Perhaps our initial reaction is “of […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 12:1-14) 1 Ephraim feeds on wind,And pursues the east wind continually; What happens when we feed on wind? Aren’t we just filled with a lot of hot air with no actual substance? That is what Ephraim or Israel experiences when they pursue the east wind continually, that is trying to depend on Assyria […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 11:1-12) It was the Lord that delivered Israel out of Egypt, and it is the Lord that walked with, nurtured them, and fed them. 4 I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love,And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws;And I bent down and fed them. This […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 10:1-15) 1 Israel is a luxuriant vine;He produces fruit for himself.The more his fruit,The more altars he made;The richer his land,The better he made the sacred pillars. Are we like Israel, producing fruit for ourselves? Are we self-sufficient, which seems like a good goal to have, but in the process of becoming self-sufficient […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 9:1-17) In today’s Scripture, Ephraim represents all of the northern kingdom of Israel. The Lord’s message is this, 1 Do not rejoice, O Israel, with exultation like the nations!For you have played the harlot, forsaking your God. Israel is not to rejoice like the nations. The nations rejoice at things of this world, […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 8:1-14) The enemy was coming against the house of the Lord because of Israel’s rebellion against God. Although they cried out, “My God, we of Israel know You!” they didn’t actually know God in an intimate covenant relationship. Israel rejected God, set up kings, appointed princes, and made idols, not by God, but […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Hosea 7:1-16) This is how today’s Scripture begins: 1 “When I would heal Israel…” These words speak of the Lord’s mercy, compassion, and grace towards the northern kingdom of Israel. They reveal the Lord’s faithfulness, His unfailing love, and His desire to remain in relationship with His chosen people. However, we continue to read: […]