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Hosea 8
Sept 15, 2008 19:54:35 GMT -8
Post by michelle on Sept 15, 2008 19:54:35 GMT -8
Post your comments/ questions/ discussion starters on Hosea chapter 7 as replies to this post.
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Hosea 8
Sept 15, 2008 20:29:49 GMT -8
Post by michelle on Sept 15, 2008 20:29:49 GMT -8
"You chose kings and leaders without consulting me; you made silver and gold idols that led to your downfall." Hosea 8:4 Oh, the gut punch with this one. Man, I can't tell you the number of decisions I make without consulting God first. It so often just doesn't enter my mind. I don't know what I want to be so fiercely independent. Actually, I don't necessarily WANT to be, but I guess I feel it is required. I have to support myself. I have to do all house work by myself. I have to do yardwork by myself. I feel like I have to walk this world alone and while my head knows better, I just can't ever seem to shake that feeling. I've been praying lately for more dependence on God...yes, I know that I could be opening Pandora's box, but I feel like I need to get this burned into my brain...so that He can break down that "I'm on my own" mindset. "City of Samaria, I'm angry because of your idol in the shape of a calf. When will you ever be innocent again? " Hosea 8:5 Josh, it's funny that you talked on Sunday about how we always want to re-invent the wheel. It seems that's true with the "sin wheel" and the Isrealites as well. Here they are worshipping a gold calf again even though the last time it was a total disaster. What a sorry bunch of people. Committing the same sin more than once. Sheesh, I'm glad I NEVER do that.  |
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Hosea 8
Sept 15, 2008 21:31:37 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Sept 15, 2008 21:31:37 GMT -8
I didn't notice the calf-reference for some reason. Yeah, that's crazy how things repeat themselves. I almost wonder if growing up with the story of the original golden-calf just created one more temptation for a people who allowed themselves to become so corrupted that they thirsted for things that purposefully struck back at God.
On another note, just a quick, on-the-side commentary on this verse:
Hosea 8:14
Israel has forgotten his Maker
and built palaces;
Judah has fortified many towns.
But I will send fire upon their cities
that will consume their fortresses."
I think this is a great example of how God can use symbolic imagery to describe natural phenomenon. In other words, God "sending fire" doesn't have to be a supernatural event, as it may be elsewhere. Here, it just simply means that the ravages of war with the Assyrians (including fires lit by the enemy) will destroy Israel's strongholds. Assyria is God's agent of chastisement to Israel, and in this way, God is doing the action.
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