Remember, Israel is compared to Gomer. Unrepentant sin is remembered. Baal-Peor was a pivotal change in God’s relationship with Israel. (Numbers 25) Gilgal is where Israel demanded a king. (1 Samuel 11)
Israel’s disobedience to God has wreaked havoc on every aspect of their lives. They’ve tried, and failed, to provide for themselves on prostitute’s wages. They’ve made Hosea look like a fool, and they Know it’s time for punishment and payback. Poverty has driven them to trust the enemy, and the enemy will take every thing they have left. If they would try to return to God now, none of the elements of sacrifice would be available in the unclean land where they’ve chosen to live. God remembers how their relationship was at first, brand new. Baal-Peor was a pivotal time of rebellion, and from there God determined that He would no longer enable an unrepentant “child”. They demanded a king at Gilgal, not recognizing they had every thing they needed in God. Israel will no longer grow and prosper as long as they remain unrepentant.
This chapter changes me because I see the danger of unrepented sin. Things that seem so small to me, times I choose to trust in myself or other things instead of God, HURTS God. That changes, or should change, the way I approach every decision and action. Change my heart to Yours.
No comments:
Post a Comment