March 12, 2024
First of all, I would be remiss if I neglected to wish my sister a very happy birthday. I won’t divulge her age, but she IS my sister, so that should tell you something!
I began reading the minor prophets yesterday. When I was in college, I took a course in them from a professor that all my friends said was a terrible teacher. To those who know my own quirkiness, it should come as no surprise that I loved his course, and have loved the Minor Prophets ever since. Take for instance, this gem. Speaking of Israel who had repeatedly abandoned worship of the Lord for the false gods of the pagans, God said,
”She did not know That I gave her grain, new wine, and oil, And multiplied her silver and gold— Which they prepared for Baal.“
—Hosea 2:8
This is amazing! God gives us the very gifts we in turn offer to the false gods of this world. When we forsake him, he doesn’t suddenly cut off the supply of air, water, food, resources. He continues to provide what we use against him.
Hosea tells us that the day is coming when God will take back what we’ve used to dishonor him. The sin-train always makes a return trip. But even then, we read these words:
”I will give her the Valley of Tears as a door of hope; She shall sing there, As in the days of her youth…” —Hosea 2:15
Our sin and rebellion will always return on our own heads, and when that happens, there are plenty tears of regret. But even then, God is merciful, and turns our tearful repentance into a doorway of hope where we shall sing again in the innocence of childhood.
No comments:
Post a Comment