“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (KJV)
It is the stewardship, and accountability of the leadership of the Church to deliver the message of God’s Word without fear or favor; and it is the stewardship and accountability of the people to listen, hear, and do the Word of God along with the leadership.
-Tim A. Blankenship
A moderate? Maybe a puppet?
UPDATED:It is now official: Hassan Rouhani has officially won Iran’s presidential elections. But make no mistake — he is not the moderate the media and Western politicians are portraying him as. He is a Radical Shia cleric who is loyal to the Ayatollah Khamenei. But he has been chosen because he will try to provide a new face of the regime, one that will appear to be more pragmatic and willing to cooperate with the West, in contrast to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
I’ve asked some Iranian Christian leaders their views of Rouhani, and how we can best pray for the people of Iran.
Here’s what one leader — Dr. Hormoz Shariat, “the Billy Graham of Iran” — sent back to me:
1) Dr. Rouhani is absolutely in the pro-regime camp. He is loyal to the Ayatollah Khamenei and is committed to obeying his wishes and orders. Through the election of Rouhani…
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“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8 (KJV)
Doubting God, and unbelief are a hazard to prayer. Double-minded people are unstable. Seek God’s strength. Believe God’s Word. Trust Him to the end.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4 (KJV)
Remember your earthly father today. It is Father’s Day. Even more remember him, honor him every day. Children it begins with being obedient to the instructions, and direction he gives you.
Fathers be sure to be an encouragement and blessing to your children. If you constantly berate, belittle, and criticize them you will drive them away. Nurture them in the love of the LORD. With the same grace you have received be gracious to your children.
Happy Father’s Day.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.” Colossians 3:4-7 (KJV)
The Christian life is a changed life. The grace of God changes the heart of the one receiving grace. Love for God, His Son, His cross; the death, burial and resurrection. God loves you just the way you are. By His grace He will not leave you the way you are.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, ‘Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, ‘Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?’ But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.” Deuteronomy 30:11-14 (KJV)
Remember from yesterdays words; the search is over. You no longer need to search for the word or will of God. If you have a Bible you have the word and will of God before you. You do not need to ascend into heaven. You do not need to cross the oceans; unless, of course you live somewhere the word is forbidden then, you are most likely not reading this.
God’s will for you today is be saved through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ; His burial by which all our sins condemnation, guilt was taken away; His bodily resurrection by which we are justified in the sight of GOD our Creator.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 (KJV)
Sometimes it seems so hard to know the “Will of God”; yet it is given to us in God’s written Word. Many Christians spend their time “Searching for the will of God”. Is it God’s will for me to be a missionary, go to Africa, go to Russia, go to the jungles of the Amazon? The problem is we spend our time searching and it is right before us in black, red and white.
Notice Paul’s words above, and all this instruction can be summed up with Jesus’s words quoting the Old Testament,
“…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” Mark 12:30
and He went on and said,
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31 (KJV)
If we are not doing the will of God at home, in our daily labors, in our recreation, in all our daily activities; God’s will will not be found in Africa, Russia, or the Amazon. God’s will is as close as your heart and the Word of God. Let us commit ourselves to doing the will of God. The search is over.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The following is an article from Kairos Journal…
23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place. . .
Acts 17:23-26 (ESV)In 1799, the German theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher published On Religion. His seemingly noble aim was to promote Christianity to its “cultured despisers,” people who had moved on from religion. Yet, to remove stumbling blocks, he eviscerated the gospel of many key truths. For similar reasons, in 1984, the then Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins, denied the bodily resurrection of Jesus. In an effort to appeal to skeptics, it is all too tempting to downplay “incredible” biblical truths. Today, this temptation is nowhere more apparent than over the doctrine of creation.
Although Paul’s evangelism consistently centered on Jesus, the crucified and risen Messiah, the precise way he presented the gospel varied from audience to audience. When evangelizing Jews, he emphasized the biblical text (e.g. Acts 13:13-41), but when preaching to pagan polytheists, he emphasized the doctrine of creation (Acts 14:15-17; 17:22-31). For Paul, the fact that God created everything is foundational to the gospel.
Amongst the Athenian altars to Zeus, Athena, and Demeter, Paul spotted one to the “unknown god” (v. 23); Athens kept its options open and tried to cover every base. Yet, in the midst of this plurality of idols, Paul went on the offensive, proclaiming that the God whom the Athenians did not know is the true Creator of all, the only God. Unlike their pathetic idols, He does not require housing or food (vv. 24-25). Rather, He gives life and a dwelling place to humans (vv. 25-26). In other words, He is not man’s debtor—He does not depend upon the religious devotion of humanity to provide His needs. Quite the reverse: all people depend on Him; all are indebted to Him. Only with this foundation in place could the Athenians have any hope of grasping their debt to their Creator; only then would they fear His coming judgment and repent (vv. 30-31).
The doctrine of creation is integral to the gospel. Modern men and women will never understand their need of Christ as a Savior from God’s wrath if they do not first have some comprehension that they owe their generous Creator everything. Nor will they grasp the wickedness of rejecting Him and running life their own way. Divorced from belief in a sovereign, holy, gracious Creator, the gospel makes no sense at all.
In the face of frequent public ridicule, holding on to the truths of creation requires clear-thinking courage. But, if the gospel is to grow and spread in the modern West, Christians dare not follow Schleiermacher and Jenkins by cutting and pasting the Bible to appeal to the modern mind. Embarrassed silence concerning creation will help no one; if God did not create, Christians have no gospel.
When we “Cut and paste the Bible to appeal to modern mind” we are actually making a god after our own image. Let us stick to the God of the Bible as He presents Himself.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: when he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace; where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure. Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.” Esther 1:1-9 (KJV)
In the book of Esther we have a historical account of the events in the life of the children of God [Israel] while still in captivity following their being carried away by Babylon. The book of Esther never mentions the name of God; however you can see God working all through the book. There are many things about it I do not understand, nor can I explain some of the things concerning the law.
The above verses show the opposite of how the righteous and just are to live.
These posted verses show the extravagance and waste of an earthly king and kingdom. It shows the Christian that we are in the world, but we cannot live as the world. We must stand; always with wisdom.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 2:19-26 (KJV)
Because God is holy, just and righteous He could not and cannot look upon sin or the sinner. Because He is love He gave His Son Jesus to die in our place paying the price that was ours alone to pay. By the grace of God we are declared “Just” by Him.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” Romans 1:18-23 (KJV)
In a day when mankind has elevated his/her own thinking above what God has said; it is time that professing Christians agree with God. You can “thumb your nose” at God only for a very short time until you begin to see His wrath on your life.
Unless you agree with God, His Spirit and His Word you are in a backsliden condition, not walking with God and are in joint rebellion with the world against the One who loves you so much He sent His only Son to die for your sins. Repent, turn around, believe the Word of God.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Revelation 2:4 (KJV)
“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-10 (KJV)
Who is the best singer? Who is the best actor or actress? Who is the best Lawyer? Who is the best…? You put in your own answer. I mention this because there was division in Corinth over who was the best preacher. Was it Paul or was it Apollos?
Paul’s answer was that neither was better than the other. Each have their own gift. It is God who gives the increase. Thank God for the gift He has given you. Use that gift to honor and glorify God, and He will give the increase.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 (KJV)
We know that none of us are perfect in the sense which we understand the word “Perfect”. In the text above it has to do with being complete in Christ Jesus. When it comes to salvation by grace through faith we are complete in Him.
No matter how hard we try we cannot open the eyes or ears of those who refuse to see, hear and understand that Jesus is the Christ Son of the Living God. It is a work of God. As Jesus told Peter in Matthew 16:17,
“…For flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.”
Part of our “Perfection” is understanding that all of salvation is God’s doing. By the Spirit of God; not by flesh and blood. Our commission is to Preach the gospel…
-Tim A. Blankenship
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, ‘He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.'” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (KJV)
It seems to me that far too much of our time and efforts today when we are speaking to others of Christ Jesus is spent in debate. Now, do not take me wrong. There is nothing wrong with debate. The idea of debate is to try and persuade someone who is persuadable; is it not?
The message of Christ is not up for debate. No one will change my mind concerning Christ, His death, burial and resurrection, His second coming; even the Pre-tribulation rapture of the Church. So it is a waste of effort with me to try and change my mind on those matters.
I only mention these things because we hear of Christians spending much time in debate with atheists, and trying to persuade them that God exist, using our own “Persuasive abilities”, knowledge of Scripture, and seem to forget that the persuasion is not in our own power, but the power of the Holy Spirit. If an unbeliever wills not to see; they will not see by our words.
“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise…” Let us quit casting pearls before swine, and seek those who might possibly want and need the Lord.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Romans 16:17-20 (KJV)
We, as Christians are told to “Love one another”. As you can see in Paul’s writing above we are also to “Mark them which cause divisions… contrary to the doctrine”. This surely means the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Anyone, therefore, who would cause division and offenses or a departure from the gospel is to be marked. That would mean not to even fellowship with such an individual. Also see Galations 5:14-15.
The ones whom Paul speaks of is most certainly false teachers, teaching things which distract from the gospel of Christ. Are there false teachers teaching a false gospel today? Most certainly. Any teaching which distracts from the glory of God through the death, burial and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is a false gospel.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” Romans 16:25-27 (KJV)
We must always remember that the “Scripture of the prophets” of whom Paul writes are the Old Testament prophets. They indeed, tell us much about Jesus Christ and His gospel. The only Scripture Jesus read, and which Paul read was the Old Testament. Grow in it too.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises unto the fathers: and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, ‘For this cause I will confess to Thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto Thy name.’ And again he saith, ‘Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with His people.’ And again, ‘Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud Him, all ye people.’ And again, Esaias saith, ‘There shall be a root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in Him shall the Gentiles trust.'” Romans 15:7-12 (KJV)
Jesus Christ Himself was a confirmation to the promises that were made to the patriarchs of the faith. He was the fulfillment of them; yet many of Jewish people did not believe, and the message was sent to the Gentiles. Gentiles are all who are not Hebrews. Jesus, the Root of Jesse will reign over the entire world. Rejoice. Live in Him. He is coming soon.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” Romans 14:1-7 (KJV)
On the matter of “Doubtful disputations” or “Disputes over doubtful things” the MacArthur Study Bible note says, “Better translated, ‘for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions (or scruples).’ The mature believer should not sit in judgment on the sincere but underdeveloped thoughts that govern the weak believer’s conduct.”
-Tim A. Blankenship
“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’ Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:8-10
The love of God is not flippant; nor is it without price. The love God has for us is the same love Paul speaks of; which we must have one for another. “Love thy neighbor as thyself” was the words of Jesus. The greatest love was on display to the world as Jesus died on the cross.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:1-3 (KJV)
Though the Lord no longer requires blood sacrifices; the slaying of lambs, bulls, goats, etc.; we are still “Beseeched” that is strongly encouraged; to make our own “Bodies” a living sacrifice unto the Lord. It is to be a sacrifice “Holy, acceptable unto God”. That truly means that once we are a child of God, born again through faith in Christ Jesus; that our bodies are not our own. We are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23).
-Tim A. Blankenship
“I say then, hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? How he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, ‘Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.’ But what saith the answer of God unto him? ‘I have reserved to Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’ Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Romans 11:1-6 (KJV)
I find great comfort and encouragement in knowing that the Lord always has a remnant of people who believe His Word, and live by His faith. It is a comfort to know that He is always working in us by His grace, and is not dependent upon our works. Even when we fail; God never fails.
The Christian can never enjoy sin and rebellion against God or His word; but when confronted and convicted by the Spirit of God, and the Word of God will turn from their sin, and experience a renewed walk with the Father.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:1-4 (KJV)
Ignorance is not a pleasant word to hear for anyone. Nevertheless, ignorance is no excuse for the sin of God’s people called Christian. There is far too much ignorance concerning the Righteousness of God, and what is required of God’s people.
As Christians we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ; and that righteousness comes out for all the world to see. It is not righteousness to overlook sin. Righteousness deals with sin; starting with our own, then confronting unrighteousness where we see it.
Do not be ignorant of the righteousness of God.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Redeeming Love of God
The Healing Love of GOD
Hosea 13:1 – 14:9
In the study of Hosea we have seen that the doom of Israel/Ephraim was certain. They had rejected God’s ways for their lives, and their nation’s continued prosperity. Instead, they began to trust their prosperity and abilities, and began to build their own gods. God sent prophets to warn them. Certainly, there were individuals who turned [repented], but as a whole the nation was corrupt.
We will find in this message that the indulgence of sin has eternal consequences. Sin has the power to destroy forever, a nation, or an individual. God in His grace, however, provides a way to defeat the power of sin. Sin’s power could destroy Israel forever; however, God was not through with them. He would raise them up to fulfill His glorious purpose.
“When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, ‘Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.’ Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.” Hosea 13:1-3 (KJV)
Ephraim has been used throughout Hosea to represent the total land of Israel. Now it appears to be speaking of the tribe. They have gone from glory to shame.
Ephraim was a respected tribe, and spoke with authority. Joshua the son of Nun was of the tribe or Ephraim (Numbers 13:8, 16). He, as you may remember, was Moses’ successor who would lead the people into Canaan, the land of promise. He would lead them in battle, and the settling of the land. By this tribe’s faithfulness to God they were exalted among all the people.
When Israel split as a nation, Jereboam also of the tribe of Ephraim, led the people into the worship of false deities, and rejected the true Go. Because of this they would die.
Molten images, the work of their own hands, became the object of their worship. Because of this they would soon disappear, as the chaff of whet, smoke from the chimney, the early dew, and the morning cloud.
“Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but Me: for there is no saviour beside Me. I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten Me. Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.” Hosea 13:4-8 (KJV)
God would go from being their Saviour; to being their Destroyer.
From the time that Moses came back to the land of Egypt to the time of Canaan God brought them through. He worked powerfully in their deliverance from Egypt. He fed them, gave them water to drink, even when there was no water He was their source of supply.
God blessed them abundantly in the “Promised land”, and they soon forgot Him. They began to neglect the reminders of His deliverance for other things. Afterwards, they began to reject God’s will and way for them. Finally, they would forget God and be destroyed.
God would become to them as ravenous beasts seeking its prey. The lion is strong and brave. The leopard is an animal of stealth and speed, sometimes lying in wait to surprise its helpless prey. The mother bear is extremely dangerous, especially, if she thinks her cubs are in danger (Proverbs 17:12). They would be torn and ripped to pieces because of their sin.
There is hope for them. Because there would be a remnant left from which to accomplish God’s purposes.
“O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in Me is thine help. I will be thy King: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities, and thy judges of whom thou saidst, ‘Give me a king and princes?’ I gave thee a king in Mine anger, and took him away in My wrath.” Hosea 13:9-11 (KJV)
They went away from God as King to destructive leaders.
Israel, was destroying themselves. It began when they determined to be life “Other nations” and wanted a king (1 Samuel 8:1-7). God was their King. In their unbelief they rejected God as King, and chose to have a foolish, and obstinate man rule over them.
Sure, God anointed Saul as king, but Go also knew that Saul would be representative fo the majority of the kings in Israel. In his rebellion and pride he rejected God’s way.
“The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid. The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children. I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels. Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.” Hosea 13:12-16 (KJV)
The judgment of God is not fro revenge, nor only punitive. In judgment He seeks to redeem.
“The iniquity… is bound up” is communicating to us that God has a record of Israel’s/Ephraim’s sin. They cannot hide it (v. 12).
God likens their judgment to that of a woman giving birth to a child. He is a stubborn child. Unwilling to be born into what God desires, causing greater pain for his mother. The child represents the individual – the mother Israel. Before the nation can be healed, the individual must repent and accept the ways of God (v. 13).
“Death ultimately involves eternal punishment in hell (‘The second death’) for those who refuse God’s redemption (Revelation 20:13-15). Taken together in the larger biblical context, Sheol and death picture sin’s power to demand the penalty of eternal death. In the case of the people of Hosea’s day, Sheol and death would be the power of their sin to destroy them forever as God’s people.” John Traylor page 120.
God was determined to redeem Israel. He would ultimately do that through the death of His Son Jesus on the cross. Placing all the sins of mankind upon Him, God put the power of sin to death. Romans 8:3 says, “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh.” (NKJV)
The law of God demands eternal death because of sin. God says, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave.” See 1 Corinthians 15:55-56. God would raise Israel up once again. God would have compassion on them (v. 14).
Death, through judgment would have to come before resurrection. This shows the power of God to redeem. When there is no hope that appears, there is hope and possibility in God. He is the God of resurrection – of New Life.
“O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto Him, ‘Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ‘Ye are our gods: for in Thee the fatherless findeth mercy.'” Hosea 14:1-3 (KJV)
God calls for Israel to truly repent.
Forget the rituals, the gifts of offering, and sacrifices. Offer to God “Words”. Not empty and vain words, but “Words” of a heart that is truly broken and repentant. Life that is changed, turned around, by God is true repentance.
Israel had to turn around to realize there was no hope in anyone or anything, but God. In God is mercy, grace, and hope.
“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From Me is thy fruit found.” Hosea 14:4-8 (KJV)
After true repentance great things begin to occur.
Remember, God has brought them to repentance. God heals their backsliding hearts. Now, they cling only to Him.
Israel would experience the fullness of God’s love. There will be no need for His anger any longer. God is their source of refreshment, and blessing. The bringing forth of this fruit is the result of their trusting in God.
“Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.” Hosea 14:9 (KJV)
The word of, and the way of the Wise.
The Wise receive the redemption of God, and stop depending on false gods.
Hosea points the one who is wise to the love and joy of our Saviour. There is life in God’s way. Death awaits the foolish who reject God’s way of life. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man [no one] cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” (John 14:6) Someone once said, “Without the Way there is no going; without the Truth there is no knowing; without the Life there is no living.” The way is hard it is not easy. The truth is all you can trust. The life is eternal through faith in this One who died for our sins.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” Romans 9:1-5 (KJV)
Do we ever think much about sacrifice? I must admit I do not. Sacrifice hurts. Paul, however, did think of sacrifice, but probably not as a sacrifice, but as love for his Saviour and for his people. Jesus also gave Himself, a sacrifice, for the glory of His Father, and His love for us.
Who is willing to suffer being accursed from Christ – suffering the torments of eternal hell – for our “Brethren”, our kinsmen according to the flesh?
That kind of love is in Christ.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 