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 here, is the dishonesty and anger that corruption produces. People are thinking all night long about revenge, and by the time they get up in the morning they are plotting to murder someone. This is a picture of both the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and even our own today. If we allow bitterness to take root, then we give up hope of any chance of change in the other person, so we convince ourselves that the only option is violence or some other physical means to remove them from their job. To live like this is dangerous and destructive.
The root of all this bitterness and anger lies in the original sin of mixing truth with error (vv.8-10). Israel is committing suicide and does not even know it.
The mental picture used here to illustrate this is the idea of a half-baked cake in an oven that’s too hot. It gets burned on the bottom, and the top does not even feel the heat! By mixing religions, Israel has planted the seeds of self destruction, all while claiming that they can mix any idea that they want to.
This is the pride that Israel has on its face; for they do not seek His wisdom
and authority in what they do. Yet they are getting burned! Now, how is it
with you? Have you mixed truth with error for the sake of appearing wise or socially acceptable? Are you destroying your ability to solve problems and live a Godly life with the beliefs that you have? The only way to know this is to keep studying God’s Word. Memorize it, study it, and meditate on it. By so doing, you evaluate whether your thinking is healthy or not. “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23, 24, ESV)
Meditate on verse 2. How are you going to respond to it?
Merciful Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray You forgive us all the evil deeds we have done and open our inner ears to listen to You always. Amen.