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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 3 December 20:
Today’s readings in Hosea describe some of the consequences of God’s judgment on a godless nation – the economy is corrupted, justice is perverted, religion is idolatrous, human life is devalued, and government and military fail to provide stability and security.
Hosea 12:1, 7 — “…they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt…. A merchant, in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress.”
Ungodliness results in self-centeredness and selfishness which promote dishonest gain. Eventually, the whole economic system is corrupted and eventually fails, but only after the weak are victimized. In a godless society, falsehoods don’t just add up, they multiply.
Hosea 12:6 – “But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.”
Love and justice go together. “The Lord is a God of love and justice.” (Isaiah 30:18) When a nation or a people turn away from God, they inevitably become unloving and unjust. Conversely, when a nation or people turn to the Lord, they pursue and maintain love and justice. Pray for national repentance and revival, which must occur within the American church.
- Psalm 37:28 -- For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
- Psalm 89:14 -- Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
- Psalm 99:4 -- The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
- Psalm 101:1 -- I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music.
- Psalm 119:149 -- Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O Lord, according to your justice give me life.
- Isaiah 16:5 – …then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.
- Isaiah 61:8 -- For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
- Jeremiah 9:24 -- …but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.
- Hosea 2:19 -- And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.
- Amos 5:15 -- Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
- Micah 6:8 -- He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
- Luke 11:42 -- But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
Hosea 13:2 — And now they sin more and more, and make for themselves metal images, idols skillfully made of their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of them, ‘Those who offer human sacrifice kiss calves!’”
Today we live in a society where ‘animal rights’ are prioritized over the rights of the unborn. Let Hosea warn us.
Hosea 13:10-11 — He destroys you, O Israel, for you are against me, against your helper. Where now is your king, to save you in all your cities? Where are all your rulers— those of whom you said, “Give me a king and princes”? I gave you a king in my anger, and I took him away in my wrath.
God eventually gives ungodly nations the leaders they deserve, and He turns prideful nations over to the natural consequences of their ungodliness.
Hosea 14:9 — 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 upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.
The Founding Fathers said truth is self-evident – it reveals itself. God’s truths are self-evident, eventually revealed in consequences – “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live….” (Deuteronomy 30:19; see John 5:14 and Luke 13:3-5)
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 3 December 20: Support national security and social justice by proclaiming the Gospel.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 