We are rebels with a cause. The cause of course is that we desire to get the glory rather than giving glory to the One who made us. Israel had forgotten her identity, but the Lord had not forgotten them and He will restore.
Hosea 5: Punishment Coming for Israel and Judah
1 Hear this, O priests! Pay attention, O house of Israel! Give ear, O house of the king! For the judgment is for you; for you have been a snare at Mizpah and a net spread upon Tabor.
2 And the revolters have gone deep into slaughter, but I will discipline all of them.
3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me; for now, O Ephraim, you have played the whore; Israel is defiled.
4 Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. For the spirit of whoredom is within them, and they know not the LORD.
5 The pride of Israel testifies to his face; Israel and Ephraim shall stumble in his guilt; Judah also shall stumble with them.
6 With their flocks and herds they shall go to seek the LORD, but they will not find him; he has withdrawn from them.
7 They have dealt faithlessly with the LORD; for they have borne alien children. Now the new moon shall devour them with their fields.
8 Blow the horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah. Sound the alarm at Beth-aven; we follow you, O Benjamin!
9 Ephraim shall become a desolation in the day of punishment; among the tribes of Israel I make known what is sure.
10 The princes of Judah have become like those who move the landmark; upon them I will pour out my wrath like water.
11 Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, because he was determined to go after filth.
12 But I am like a moth to Ephraim, and like dry rot to the house of Judah.
13 When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, then Ephraim went to Assyria, and sent to the great king. But he is not able to cure you or heal your wound.
14 For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear and go away; I will carry off, and no one shall rescue.
15 I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me.
Hosea 6: Israel and Judah Are Unrepentant
1 "Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.
3 Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth."
4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.
5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light.
6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
7 But like Adam they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me.
8 Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with blood.
9 As robbers lie in wait for a man, so the priests band together; they murder on the way to Shechem; they commit villainy.
10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing; Ephraim's whoredom is there; Israel is defiled.
11 For you also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed, when I restore the fortunes of my people.
Things to think about…
1. Hosea 5 describes the priests who were not being faithful in doing their job – to read and teach God’s word to His people. As a result the people went after other gods. We have many gods in Australia, E.g sport, pleasure, image worship, materialism, etc. What is the church known for in this country? Is it known for teaching truth, showing the love and grace of Jesus? Those who are in church leadership are accountable for the decisions they make and the example they set for others.
2. Israel was in trouble from their neighbours Syria, so rather than turn to God and call on Him they called upon Assyria to help them, Hos 5:13. God saw this as hypocrisy and unbelief. Assyria eventually took Israel and the ten northern tribes captive in 722BC. Jesus can’t stand hypocrites, as is evident by His words to the Pharisees of His day. Australians have said that they see hypocrisy in the church. In some ways I believe this is a fair assessment, certainly when there is a lack of conviction in preaching against sin and living a life of holiness.
3. Hos 5:15 is an acknowledgement that Christ would return to heaven where he had come from until guilt and distress force Israel to seek after Him. They will do this in the last generation before He returns. Hosea says “in their distress earnestly seek me”. Jesus describes this time of suffering to come upon Israel in Mt 24.
4. Note in Hos 6:1, 2 we see a prophecy about the ministry of Christ. “On the third day he will raise us up”, vs 2. The resurrection of Christ means we have been raised from death to life. Death and sin were confirmed to have been defeated. As such we rule and reign with Him, even now. Hallelujah! Pray Israel would also embrace this truth about the true Messiah.
5. God was sick of Israel’s outward religion. Look what He says in Hos 6:6. He wants love, not sacrifice. He wants His people to seek after a knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Their sacrifices meant nothing without love for each other or obedience to Him. They were like Adam, vs 7 who had gone astray. They rebelled against God’s covenant. But God is faithful.
6. Like Hosea’s wife, Israel was unfaithful and had committed adultery with other nations and their gods. Do we do the same with our relationship with Jesus. In what ways do we hold back our affection from Him? Look at the promises for Judah in 6:11. Regardless of our behaviour God will restore. We all fall and fail, but God restores us. In what ways has He restored you? In the later days Judah will be restored. That restoration, for us and for Israel, begins with embracing the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for pledges for finances for the youth and young adults pastor role. $49, 640 has come in so far. Let’s keep praying for final collection numbers.
2. Carols service this Sunday 18th December – Family fun Day afternoon/evening 3pm-7pm.
3. Christmas Day Service 25th Dec – on a Sunday this year – service will start at 9:00am.
4. Pray for the leadership of our country.
5. Pray for the people of Iran and Ukraine.
6. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor to start Jan 2023 and the finances to support them.
7. More young families and youth into the church.
8. Ministry leaders within the church.
9. Our One for Israel ministry.
10. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
11. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Thankyou to those who have supported the church and youth and young adults role - $49. 640 raised thus far.
2. Work being done in the house and café. Thankyou especially to Rob Brand and James Smith.
3. New folk becoming members of CBC
4. Worship on Sunday – thankyou worship team. Thankyou for those who welcomed at the door.
5. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Family fun day/Carols night 3-7pm 18th Dec – Book it in. Invite people flyers
2. Christmas Day service – 9am Dec 25th.
3. Remember to check your duty rosters.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for December...
Q. 3. Why did God make you and all things? A. For his own glory.
