Text: Hosea 10:1-15
To be wealthy is not a sin. But why is it so hard for us to use that wealth
to glorify God and build up His Kingdom? (vv.1-2). Israel was blessed both
spiritually and materially in order to be a blessing to the nations. But this is
impossible if they borrow pagan ideas and worship false gods. If you and I will not glorify and worship God with our wealth, He will take it away from us in order to get our attention and bring us near to Himself. This is a warning in our modern age of material worship. To maintain our focus on Christ is a choice and a spiritual discipline. Our material wealth does not have to get in the way; in fact, it can be used to glorify our Saviour and develop His Church.
Here is a painful case in point: Israel took its wealth in gold and formed a calf to worship, much like they did in the wilderness hundreds of years before (vv. 5-6).
They were emotionally attached to it, claiming it was a spiritual thing of power, protection. But the idea of such protection was worthless. When the Assyrians came, it was no longer something to be feared, but a new toy and treasure to be taken away by another. It is funny what we treasure and convince ourselves that we cannot live without. We began to put our emotional sense of security and identity into something that is worthless and useless. But when the Lord removes it from us, we see it for the idol that it really is. Praise God that He does these things so that we truly learn what is indeed important in this life.
Meditate on verses 1-2. How are you going to respond to them?
Our heavenly Father, In the name of Jesus Christ, heal us of false hearts, cleanse us of guilt and destroy all powers of darkness in and around us. Amen.