HOSEA (2, 5, 8, 11, 12)...TO BE CONTINUED.

*Scriptures are KJV and EXB

I've heard Christians proclaim that the devil gives blessings, too.  I've heard that for years! I've always had some issues with that. Some Christians can be jealous of the blessings and riches of supposed non-Christians. First, Black Christians can't assume White, financially rich people are not Christians, Second, who has what is generally not anybody's business. Third, Old Testament leaders who were rich and harassed Israel, were allowed by God to be rich and to harass Israel. Fourth, Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and was lying. Fifth, Hosea 2 says, the prostitute/Israel did not know God gave her corn, wine, oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, that she prepared for Baal/idols. SO, the prostitute/Israel had everything needed for life, plus some, although they acted wicked, lived foul and worshipped idols. Satan did not give them all that. God did. They just didn't realize or didn't acknowledge God for the blessings, but chose to give idols credit for the blessings.

Hosea 5 - Ephraim and Israel were determined to be prostitutes - spiritual whores, God crushed them. They saw their wounds and ran to the King of Assyria, hoping for healing, instead of running back to God and repenting for choosing their own kings and worshipping the idols. Mankind (aka ‘man’ used to distinguish humans from animals in the Old Testament) tend to do the same. We go our own way, choose our own 'kings' (Hosea 8) such as people we choose to acquaint ourselves with who are not who we need to befriend or allow to influence us, get wounded, then run to the world for healing (lies, clothes, money, food, sex, cars, jewelry, friends of the devil, etc.) hoping to be healed, instead of running back to God who will heal us from our own self-destruction AND from the wounds He inflicted on us or allowed us to get so that we would return to Him.

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*2.25.2024 Great Sunday School question from my Teacher's Discussion Sheet) - Why do you think people sometimes blame God for their problems?
I believe there are three reasons:
#1 - God ordains problems - JOB (ordain means suggest, propose, encourage, order or decree);
#2 - God allows problems - ADAM/EVE (allow means permit, fail to restrain);
#3 - God orchestrates problems – NOAH'S Ark/The Flood Story (orchestrate means arrange, direct the elements of)
We use the word 'blame' in an accusatory way, but God's purpose is that all things work together for our good, for those who are called according to God's purpose. 

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​03.29.2024
God Is Not Controlling. 
Hosea 11:4,  7, 8, 9, 10

With Lovingkindness  have I drawn thee.
4 - I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
4 - I led them with cords of human kindness, with ropes of love. I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down and fed them.

We, individually or corporately,  to this day, can be determined to disobey God - not delaying because we're thinking about it, trying to figure it out, or don't understand the assignment; but actively, purposely, determinedly  refuse to do what God says.
7 - And my people are bent to backsliding from me:...
7 - My people have made up their minds to turn away from me.

God prefers to bless us.
8 -  How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
8 - Israel, how can I give you up? How can I hand you away, Israel? I don't want to make you like Admah or treat you like Zeboiim [two cities destroyed together with Sodom and Gomorrah]. My heart beats for  you, and my love for you stirs up my pity. 

I like how he uses Ephraim and Israel, like a parent would  say "John, why did you do this? Explain it to me, Son, so I'll understand what made you do this?" OR "Your my Precious. You are the one, Oldest, so I expect better out of you." OR  "Rich, go do ... for your family. Husband, that's what you are now, so go do ... for your family."  See what I mean with the use of John and Son or First Name/Nickname and Place in the family
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At this point, God is not mean like Man, i.e., human/mankind/not animal, has been towards Israel
9-  I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
9 - I won't punish you in my anger, and I won't destroy Israel again. I am God and not a human; I am the Holy One, and I am among you. I will not come against you in anger. 

God wants his people to follow him because they should because they recognize him as Lord/Lion.
10 - They shall walk after the LORD: He shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
10 - They will go after [follow] the LORD, and he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will hurry [come trembling] to him from the west. (11 - They will come swiftly [or trembling]...

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4.03.2024
Hosea 12:10 

I LOVE the word similtudes. Definition - the quality or state of being similar to something; a comparison between two things; a person or thing resembling someone or something else. 
Synonyms - parallel, sameness, equivalence, analogy. This verse reminds me of Ezekiel  20 regarding Israel's rebellion and God speaks of how he "wrought for my name's sake" meaning He worked every which way he could to make Israel look like his chosen people so that his name would not be laughed at by others.  
In verse 10, God explains that he sent prophets with many visions and used parables/similitudes in an effort to explain to Israel His goodness, their rebellion, and their need to return to him. He didn't scoff and say "forget them". He tried mightily to help them know his goodness, mercy, love  and desire for them to return to him. 
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Also, in chapter 12, God particularly didn't want them, with their ill-gained riches, to oppress people like they had been oppressed by others who had  chose Israel against whom to use their deceitful ways of gaining riches.

10 - I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
10 - I spoke to the prophets and gave them many visions; through them, I taught my lessons [spoke in parables; or spoke oracles of doom] to you.

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https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/AJA10109919_488#:~:text=Ephraim's%20leading%20position%20in%20Israel,(Wolff%201961%3A292).
​www.etsy.com/shop/becmin

Text Note April 25, 2024 Click to see entire note.