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

Psalm 123 - Arrogant Ridiculing or Bullying

Arrogant ridiculing... today we would call that bullying.  It happens all the time and it has been happening for all time. But, that doesn't make it right or good.

A few years ago, when my granddaughter was in elementary school, she had a friend who belonged to a Christian sect that believes females should not wear pants. So, her friend wore skirts and dresses to school. For this, her friend, received a lot of ridiculing, a lot of bullying.  Cassie would talk about how horrible everyone bullied her friend at the school. One morning, Cassie put on a dress for school.  She said she was going to wear it and see what  happens when there were two of them wearing dresses. After school, I asked her if anyone reacted to her wearing a dress. She said, "Yes, we were both pushed down into the snowbank."

Cassie's friend has since moved away. Hopefully and prayerfully, she no long has to suffer bullying because of her religious convictions.

Have mercy, O LORD, on those who endure no end of ridicule from the arrogant, of contempt from the proud.

God's Peace - Pr. J