The Devil’s men

The King of Babylon (Isa 14:3) represents satanically influenced men bent on world domination. There have been many through the years (Pharaoh, Sennacharib, Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander, Nero, Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin, etc.) and one is coming who will be more evil than all of them. They enslave the people and ruin the earth. The good news is that one of David’s descendants is coming to set things right (Isa 16:5). Then the earth will rejoice (Isa 14:7-8). Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Has your faith atrophied?

On whom do you depend? Where do you place your trust? Most of us are dependent on some human institution or we trust in ourselves. The Lord says, “Don’t put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath.” (Isa 2:22) To demonstrate Judah’s misplaced trust God said he would take away everything they depend on (Isa 3:1). That is a scary thought. What if God removed all of our crutches, support systems and false sources of security? We would be driven back to God in desperation! Will God have to take such drastic measures with us before we acknowledge our utter dependence on Him? Find some way to demonstrate your trust in God. Try a new direction in life; a faith adventure. Share the gospel with someone. Give sacrificially. Start a new ministry. Lean into Him and you won’t be disappointed (Psa 22:5, Rom 10:11).

The heart of religion

The religion of Israel and Judah had been adulterated by idolatry and improper motives (2Ki 17:41, Isa 1:10-15). The religion was so corrupt that God wanted nothing to do with it. If it is not ritual and superstition that God wants, what is it? What God desires is for us to do the right thing with the right heart. “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.” (Isa 1:17) He has shown you, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Mic 6:8). This is true religion (Jam 1:27).

The path of least resistance

The life of comfort and ease, the predictable routine is not always healthy. Israel was stuck in a rut. She had found the “sweet spot” and she forgot God (Hos 10:11). Hard ground does not receive the seed of the Word (Mar 4:4). Lack of challenge causes atrophy and apathy, while resistance develops strength and endurance. Israel needed a change. “Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord!” (Hos 10:12). Lethargy and inertia will slowly kill you. Get up! Take action! Resist! The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them (Hos 14:9).

Bad religion

In the midst of their idolatry, Israel still took oaths in the Lord’s name. (Hos 4:15) Much of what we call “Christianity” in the world is idolatry sprinkled with the Lord’s name. (our idols are money, sex, comfort etc.) Hosea warned Israel that their false religion and excessive wealth would devour them (Hos 5:7). This is also a warning for America. It’s uncanny how the message of the prophets speaks to America. We too have forgotten our God and built palaces and fortresses (Hos 8:14). Are we too far gone? Probably. All there is to do is continue to minister and woo them back one heart at a time.

Greener pastures?

You have turned from the God who can save you and have forgotten the Rock who can hide you (Isa 17:10). Man has a propensity to forget and wander. No matter how much God blesses us, we go in search of greener pastures. Hosea was instructed to marry a harlot (Gomer) to illustrate how we sell ourselves to lesser gods (Hos 1:1). Though we are faithless, He remains faithful (2Ti 2:13). He stands ready to redeem us if we will remember and return.

The coming King

Jesus will rule the world from Zion. Almighty God has made this his personal mission (Isa 9:6-7, 11:10). There is no getting around it. This will happen. No matter how distant God seems to us now, at some point He will once again intervene in history and establish a physical kingdom on earth. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Mat 6:10). The only question is, “Will you be on his side or one of his enemies?” Do you believe this? It should change your life.