Hosea 13 - Follow Ephraim Into More Sin

"When Ephraim spoke, people trembled;
    he was exalted in Israel.
    But he became guilty of Baal worship and died.
Now they sin more and more..." (Hosea 13:1-2a NIV)
  
I've said it. You've said it. Our children and our grandchildren have said it. We've told others that the times have changed. This is how we do things today. Everyone does it. It starts with one or two people. We might call it a fad. It explodes and it appears that half the world begins to do what they ought not do. Ephraim was exalted. People listened to him. They followed him. He built worshipped the false god, Baal. The people followed and turned away from god to trust this worthless idol.

I'm not just talking about one thing. I'm talking about all the worthless idols gods we have built up for ourselves. Sports figures, actors and actresses, musicians, politicians; the list goes on and on, even to inanimate objects like money, and television. In many cases we, ourselves, have become our own false gods. Yes, we are one of our biggest false gods.

How much life has been lost in the pursuit and the worship of these false idols? How has our relationship with God and one another been damaged by our pursuit of our own happiness according to our own desires. Happiness, even joy, cannot be found in false gods. It cannot be found searching endlessly after things. It can only be found in a right relationship with God and with one another through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Hosea 12 - A Reprieve From Violence, Please?

Ephraim and Judah are in a bit of trouble with the LORD for stirring up trouble with others. According to Hosea:

"Ephraim feeds on the wind;
    he pursues the east wind all day
    and multiplies lies and violence.
He makes a treaty with Assyria    and sends olive oil to Egypt." (Hosea 12:1 NIV)

Soap operas, drama queens, whatever, whoever... There are some, it seems, that just cannot live without stirring up trouble for others. For what reason, no one knows. Maybe they've watched too many soap operas and can't control the desire to create drama. They multiple lies and violence. They cause a lot of trouble for themselves as well as others. But, they don't seem to care. That's the way you play the game - hoping against hope that they will win the game - hoping against hope that they will come out looking like a star. How much life is wasted away contending with those who multiply lies (gossip) and violence rather than living life?

What does the prophet have to say about all of this?

"But Ephraim has aroused his bitter anger;
    his Lord will leave on him the guilt of his bloodshed    and will repay him for his contempt." (Hosea 12:14)

May God grant all who are wrongly gossiped about, to the detriment of the church on earth, a reprieve from these vicious attacks. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Chronicles 7 - Warriors and Women

They're counting warriors again and it seems to be a goodly number.  But, what's really puzzling me this mornng is why the mention of all the women in these lists of descendants? 

I have not quite figured out the reason scripture would record the females from Manasseh's household and their female descenedants.  I do get the importance (maybe?) of mentioning Sheerah of Ephraim's family.  These were nomadic people.  They lived in tents.  Before she was born, Ephraim's first sons had been killed by the men of Gath who had come to raid their livestock.  In order to better protect her family, she built something a bit more durable, more protective for her family and their possessions.  I can only surmise; maybe, buildings that were more durable and not made of cloth, and walls to keep the livestock a bit safer.  Scripture does not exactly say what it was she built or how or who else was involved; but it does say she built both Lower and Upper Bethhoron and Uzzen-sheerah.

The old testament doesn't usually lift up women. There are exceptions, though.  The exception of Sheerah is a good reminder how each of us use our God-given gifts to the glory of God, but also for the community we live in.  It doesn't matter who you are, you can use those gifts and talents you have to build up the world around you, to make it a more comfortable and peaceful (safe) place for all people to live in. 

It is a bit difficult to read genealogies.  I am never sure whose son or daughter someone is or if we talking about grandchildren.  I found this particulary true for me in the listing of the descendants of Manasseh.  I hope you are fairing better with that than me.  God's Peace... Judy