Text: Hosea 9:1-17 Hosea is probably writing this after the Assyrians took many Israelites captive in 733 B.C. More raids would follow, until the country was completely wiped out in 722 B.C. The warnings have not been taken seriously; therefore, the consequences have come as promised (vv.3, 5). They can no longer rejoice as they[…]
Hosea 7:1-16 When our minds are corrupted by a dishonest system, we convince ourselves that no one, especially God, knows what we are doing (vv.2, 6). This basically is what Chapter 7 is about. But He is always fully aware of the sin that we do. And part of the specific sin that is confronted[…]
Text: Hosea 6:1-11 What we have here is the perfect explanation of God’s discipline (vv. 1-2). He whom the Lord loves, He disciplines. In this verse, we see that the discipline of the Lord is a hard thing. May be it is someone who asks you hard questions and rebukes you. But the Lord also[…]
Text: Hosea 5:1-15 Spiritual leadership is an enormous responsibility (v.1). If spiritual leaders fail, then the nation falls apart. This is why their training, mentorship, and continued accountability is vital. The root and core of the failure of Israel is their leadership at the highest levels. Israel was to be a spiritual kingdom, with the[…]
Text Hosea 4:1-19 Once again Hosea is revealing that God is accusing His people in a court of law: ‘they are unfaithful’ (vv.1-2). This language is to show how serious God is about sin. Sin is not a mistake, a brief weakness in judgement, or forgetfulness. Sin is personal and deeply offensive; for it is[…]
Text: Hosea 3:1-5 It looks like Hosea’s wife did not want to settle down into a normal life. With time, she grew bored and wanted something more exciting, like a new boyfriend. Yet Hosea was not released from his covenant, just like Yahweh. So, he buys, Gomer back from the new boyfriend, like a slave,[…]
Text: Hosea 1:1-11 Hosea’s life is complicated! (vv.1-2). Not only is his country divided, but so is his own family. The life of a prophet is strange and painful; but Hosea’s life is particularly so. Israel is at the time of his writing, divided North and South. Judah in the South on occasion will have[…]
Text: Daniel 12:1-13 At the end of Daniel’s visions stands a clear reminder of what is in store for all of us (vv.1-2). Throughout this age the people of God may suffer on occasion, but towards the end of time, there will be a terrible “time of trouble” that the world has never seen before.[…]
Text: Daniel 11:1-45 The Lord now allows Daniel to see the previous visions again, but in greater detail (vv.2b 4). After the Persians rule this region for a while, Greece will rise up very fast and raise up a kingdom, which will be the new environment for God’s people to develop and grow in. It[…]
Text: Daniel 10: 1-21 This is Spiritual warfare (vv.1, 13) . Daniel is in serious prayer and fasting for three weeks and this is likely during the Passover season. He is very upset about the events during this time; but with this being the third year of Cyrus’ reign, he should be extremely happy. Why?[…]