Study From the Book of Hosea,9

                                          Study From the Book of Hosea, 9

Here is the 9^th part of this rich series of study. We are still in the second section of the book that deals with Israel sins and the consequences of their sins. However in the following couple of principles, God showed mercy and favour to them, but they took that for granted without thanksgiving and continued to sin against God.

Principle 23 (11:3): “I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them.”

Lessons 23: God healed Ephraim (refer to the Northern Kingdom of Israel) over and over again, even though His people disobeyed, even they lacked the sense to recognise His loving hand. Lessons to us all, how has God healed us and we did not recognize His healing hand in those healings. David in Psalm 103:3 “Bless the Lord O my soul----who heals all your diseases.”

Principle 24 (11:4): “I drew them with gentle cords , with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take yoke from their necks.”

Lesson 24: God prefers to deal with His people in love and grace, not in anger and judgment. However, with His very tenderness, we sometimes we forget the seriousness of our sins.

Principle 25(12:6) : “So by the help of your God, return, observe mercy and justice, and wait on your God continually.”

Lesson 25:  The repentance in the Old Testament is different from that of the New Testament. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit did not dwell in the believers as now. Only dwells in temporary basis in the prophets, kings to allow them to do something for the Lord and His people. However God helped the believers in the OT to repent once they showed willing to do that. Now, we are in the time of grace, for the unbelievers, the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sins leading them to repent and to believe in the Lord Jesus who paid the heavy price of their sins when He died on the Cross.  Once they believe, He dwells in them. However if the unbelievers harden their minds and continue to disbelieve, the consequence is grave as in Romans 1:28 says,   “ An even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.”

<< New text box >>