Hosea 5 - Rebels Knee Deep

"The rebels are knee-deep in slaughter.
    I will discipline all of them.
I know all about Ephraim;
    Israel is not hidden from me.
Ephraim, you have now turned to prostitution;
    Israel is corrupt.

“Their deeds do not permit them
    to return to their God.
A spirit of prostitution is in their heart;    
    they do not acknowledge the Lord." (Hosea 5:1-4)
 

Sadly, it seems, I think a lot about and pray for rebels who are knee-deep in something... And..., again, sadly it is not in building up the house of the LORD, the Body of Christ. False gods stir up a lot of trouble in the hearts and minds of mankind. Worship of self, of ego, of anything and everything; but the LORD, brings about a lot of strife within the church on earth and indeed the whole world.

Even if we think no one knows, God knows. He sees the prostitution that is in our hearts. He sees how we love ourselves more than we love Him. He sees how we love and follow after our false gods even if it means the destruction of the church. Well, hears a bit of good news... The Church, which is the Body of Christ, cannot be destroyed. It's been tried. He is Risen! He lives! The Body of Christ is alive and well!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 23 - The Tale of Two Cities

The tale of two sisters presents a pretty colorful picture of prostitution and whoredom. It is an allegory that presents idolatry and adultery as one and the same. The two sisters are in actuality the two cities of Samaria, which is the capital of the northern kingdom and Jerusalem, which is the capital of the southern kingdom. Both cities have fallen under condemnation for their idolatrous ways. These have lusted after and played the harlot with foreign men of power. They have prostituted themselves in that they have allied themselves with other cities and countries that do not worship God. They have been unfaithful to their Husband, who is their Creator. (Isa 54:5) Ultimately, they will fall for their unfaithfulness.

How often do we play games with men and/or women of power to get what we desire? Maybe it is for riches or maybe it is for more power and prestige for ourselves. The tale of two sisters or the tale of these two cities should remind us that there is only one God, who is our Maker and Redeemer. He is our all. There can be only one first love and from Him we should not stray.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 23 - Stand for Something or Fall for Anything

Here's an interesting prophecy. Tyre, a most prosperous country, is about to fall at the hands of the enemy. The LORD will cause her to fall. But, according to Isaiah:  "At the end of seventy years, the Lord will deal with Tyre. She will return to her lucrative prostitution and will ply her trade with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. Yet her profit and her earnings will be set apart for the Lord; they will not be stored up or hoarded. Her profits will go to those who live before the Lord, for abundant food and fine clothes." (Isa 23:17-18 NIV)

Tyre was (still is) an island off of the coast of Lebanon. It was a major seaport. In fact, according to some historians, the first major seaport and; therefore, had become very wealthy. They had become sort of a collection place for much of the world's riches.

In being a trader, though, we often make compromises. How often do we hear about agreements our own countries have made that have gone awry and wonder if anyone thought about the long-term ethical consequences of the agreements before they made them? Tyre made trade agreements, regardless of ethics, with anyone and everyone that they could profit from. Their god became wealth and prosperity and they would do anything or anyone to serve their god, neglecting to honor the one true God.

The quote from either Peter Marshall or Alexander Hamilton comes to mind: "If you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything." Tyre was prophesied to fall. Indeed, she did.

But, Isaiah also prophesies that at the end of the seventy years, she will turn to her lucrative prostitution (that is her lucrative commercial enterprises); but this time Tyre will set apart her tithe for the LORD.

Many good lessons in this lesson. For one, let us watch who we do business with that we are not compromising our own values or ethics. Second, let us remember to set apart a tithe in thanksgiving for the LORD who has and continues to bless us with so much.

God's Peace - Pr. J