Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away. Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest. Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to Me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Hosea 4:1-6
Killing
Words of the Prophets – Hosea
For Lack of Knowledge
“Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away. Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest. Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to Me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against Me: therefore will I change their glory into shame. They eat up the sin of My people, and they set their heart on their iniquity. And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings. For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD. Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.” Hosea 4:1-11 (KJV)
Seven Things God Hates # 3
This is the third subject of THE SEVEN ABOMINATIONS WHICH GOD HATES
Hands That Shed Innocent Blood
Proverbs 6:16-19
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
If God “Hates hands that shed innocent blood”, then He loves the hands that preserve life.
A self oriented society only values self. The life of others is valueless unless it is for promoting, pleasing, or pacifying self.
A God oriented people see all life as of value – promoting others as having more value; seek to cause others to be pleasing to God; and helps to, and seeks to pacify the needs of others.
The Bible gives us many examples of people who took innocent life;
1. Cain killed Abel: (Gen. 4:5-16); 2. Ahab and Jezebel killed Naboth: (1 Kings 21:1-24); 3. David killed Urriah:(2 Samuel 11:14-21); 4. Saul of Tarsus killed Christians: (Acts 8:1a;9:1-2). These all shed innocent blood, and there are many others in Scripture who is guilty.
Examples we can see in our day..
1. Unborn babies – since 1973 multi-millions slain in their mother’s womb;
2. Parents abusing and killing their small children;
3. Husband and wives killing their innocent spouses – much of the time for money from insurance;
4. Governments killing christians – just because they do not approve of the “religion” of Jesus; “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Rev. 12:11). These are shedding innocent blood.
A person can even kill or shed innocent blood with the tongue which we already addressed. The person’s character, reputation. Remember, “Death and Life are in the power of the tongue…” How many have been butchered by the tongue? That is usually first on the way to physical death.
A good example of the path of pride is in Ahab and Jezebel…
Pride led to the “Lying tongue” of Jezebel which led to the blood of Naboth being shed; it was the wicked scheming Jezebel which brought about Naboth’s death, there was no hesitation on Jezebel’s part – she was quick to “run to mischief”, she brought in “false witnesses”, and brought in discord among the brethren”.
…Which takes them to destruction just as God warned (1 Kings:21:19, 23ff.).
Anyone who is unrestrained in their pride is also unrestrained in ‘tongue’ and all these other things. There is no respect of life with the ‘Proud’. The proud see all others as an avenue of praise for themselves.
Like the woman who sees her unborn child as her possession, or a mindless mass, rather than a precious life; has a proud look and sees no value in others except for their own benefit and what they can do with “It”.
Take away the “value of life”, and you have the right to kill it.
I. SOME BIBLE EXAMPLES OF THE TAKING OF INNOCENT LIFE.
A. Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:5-16).
B. Ahab and Jezebel kill Naboth for a vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-24).
C. King David Kills Uriah the Hitite to try and coverup his adulterous act with Uriah’s wife (2 Samuel 11:14-21).
D. Saul of Tarsus (Acts 8:1a; 9:1-2).
A1. Genesis. 4:1-`16 – “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’ keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’ blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’ blood from thy hand; When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.”
B1. 1 Kings 21:5-16 –
“But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard. And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. So she wrote letters in Ahab’ name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth. And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead. And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.”
C 1. 2 Samuel 11:14-21 –
“And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were. And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also. Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war; And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king, And if so be that the king’ wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall? Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.”
D1. Acts 8:1ff –
“And Saul was consenting unto his death.”
9:1-2 – “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.”
“Whoso sheddeth man’ blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” (Genesis 9:6).
“Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13).
II. EXAMPLES OF THE TAKING OF INNOCENT LIFE TODAY.
A. Unborn babies – since 1973 over 40 million have been slaughtered
B. Parents who abuse and killed their small children.
C. Husbands and wives killing their spouses – not in self-defense, but for wealth or to continue an adulterous relationship.
D. Children killing children in schools, etc.
E. Governments which approve of and endorse the killing of Christians – just because they do not approve of the “religion” of Jesus.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10).
“Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.” (Numbers 35:30).
”But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8).
II. WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE IN THE FUTURE?
A. We are seeing the beginning of tomorrow today.
B. Jesus said, “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
C. Paul wrote to Timothy of “Perilous times”.
1. Love for self – selfishness;
2. Covetous – longing for things which usually belong to others;
3. Arrogant and loud;
4. No respect for God; or His name;
5. No “Natural affection”, and other improprieties –
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away”. (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
D. There is no promise of things improving in this sin soaked world.
1. There is much evidence for false teachers and teaching,
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:13).
IV. IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR THE PEOPLE ON EARTH?
A. Not in anything of this earth.
B. There is supernatural help in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
C. The One who formed all life has all life in His hands.
D. In Jesus one gains respect for life.
1. That means considering others before self.
2. It also means loving God through loving others.
3. That means, also, using the means God has given (finances, home, car, buildings, lands, etc) to glorify the Lord’s name, by helping those less fortunate.
E. Jesus loves all – He died even for those who have shed innocent blood [taken “innocent blood”].
V. THE MOST INNOCENT OF BLOOD WAS SHED ON THE CROSS.
A. It was the worst of man that shed this most innocent of blood.
B. It was the best of God that shed this most innocent of blood.
C. There is forgiveness for all sin at the cross of Jesus – even for HANDS THAT SHED INNOCENT BLOOD.
Jesus Speaks – Christmas Day One Hundred Eighty and Seven
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Matthew 5:21-22 (KJV)
We live in a day where we have Political Correctness, and that has opened the door for many to just say whatever comes to mind, because whether most of us like to admit it or not; we are rebels.
Now I am not speaking for PC. I cannot stand what it does. Dismissing, or deleting words, or flags does not answer our question, or our need.
So, What do I want for Christmas?
Since words have the power of life and death; I want to always remember that power when I speak; I want to always remember that my words can kill, murder, and destroy; or they can give life, encouragement and strength; in love and truth.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:21
Submission to the King
“And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? Wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” 1 Samuel 24:16-21
King Saul had shown hatred for David. He hated him because God’s hand was on David, giving him victories over the enemies of Israel, and protection from them. Even Saul had been David’s enemy; yet the LORD protected him.
David had a chance to kill the king (24:1-8), but he would not kill the LORD’S anointed king; and even felt guilty because he had cut off his “skirt”. O how Christians today need to be careful when speaking of the leadership God has given us in our nations. We do need to remember that just as king Saul was anointed by God as a means of discipline for Israel; so too are many leaders of the world today.
When a nation turns its back on God He gives us godless, jealous, careless leaders. Leaders who will lead into further godlessness.
Saul did, however, in this instance submit to God’s will and plan for Israel. Yet, he later returns to seeking David’s life. Saul does acknowledge David as the future king of Israel (v. 20).
The plans and schemes of kings, or mankind, can never over rule the will and plan of God. One day King Jesus will return and set up His kingdom on earth; will rule and reign in justice, and mercy. That is a day I look forward to. Looking upon my Lord and Saviour, bowing before Him in worship, adoration and praise.
The Redeeming Love of God (Hosea 4:1-3)
God’s Controversy With His People 1
As we begin our study of Hosea 4 we find Hosea speaking in the gates of the city. This is the place where civil and religious meetings were held. There were probably some who were from the Southern kingdom present here as well.
The LORD is presented as having a “Controversy” with the people. The MIRRIAM/WEBSTER Dictionary defines “Controversy” as being “a clash of opposing views: DISPUTE”. It must of necessity be concluded that the one who opposes God is the one who is in error. The New International Version of the Bible uses the word “Charge”. The New American Standard uses the word “Case”. These latter two imply court actions. If then this is a court scene we see GOD as the offended party; and He is also the Judge, the Prosecutor; and since there is no defense mentioned He would also be their Defense. God has a legal case against Israel. It is a case He will win. A case where the guilty will in brokenness confess their guilt, turn from their evil, and seek His face, receiving His forgiveness.
In verse one through three God says all are guilty, then the priests and prophets are responsible for rejecting the Word of God, rather than teaching it, living it, and proclaiming it (vv. 4-6). They are all condemned for leaving God to follow the harlotry of Baal (vv. 7-10). The men are then told of their responsibility for the corrupting of their wives and daughters (vv. 13-14). Judah [the Southern kingdom] is then called on to heed the Word of Go, and not to forsake God and His ways following other gods (vv. 15-19).
“Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.” Hosea 4:1-3 (KJV)
The land is greatly polluted. Sexual perversion and immorality always pollute the land of any nation.
God still contends with evil. He is contending with evil even now across the United States of America, and in all nations of the world. Sin is just as destructive today as it was in Hosea’s day; maybe more open and with greater influence; but “where sin abounds grace does much more abound”.
“Truth” is faithfulness. Faithful to God, His Word, and His ways. To walk in them is to walk in truth. To walk in truth is to be faithful to His Word. To depart from truth is to cease being kind. “Mercy” is kindness. When God’s people forsake His way sexual immorality increases, murders increase, all crime and criminal activities increase, and education slips into amorality. Evil becomes good, and good becomes evil. Because of this there is no knowledge of God in the land. God is seen only as non-existent, unavailable, or contained in a box to be used at our own discretion and for our own pleasures. Because of evil god is made in our own image. He is viewed as tolerating evil, and never judging it; putting Him on equal basis with the gods of men’s hearts. His Holiness, Righteousness, mercy, and grace are forgotten. What need is there of mercy and/or grace if God tolerates all kinds of evil?
When people depart from God to serve the gods of their hearts “Everyone does that which is right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25), the land becomes “Bloody”. The commandments of God become useless, despised, and rejected; tossed aside as fables.
In verse two Hosea declares that at least five of the Ten Commandments had been severely broken.
There are also ecological consequences to sin.
The land cries out to God for mercy (Romans 8:22). The man of God’s creation willfully sinned against God. Sin causes the creation to groan. Unless God keeps His hand of mercy on the land, then the land judges us.
The environmental crises that are known today; the upheaval of weather patterns, in the USA, and around the world; are evidences of a gross spiritual problem. God’s people have forsaken Him to serve the idols of pleasure, entertainment, and the sirens of comfort. Many of the gods of our day are science, technology, money and finance. All idols of man’s own making; leading to our destruction.
The world may laugh at such a simplistic answer, but the Bible is clear on the matter, and it is right. Someone has said, “The heart of the human problem, is the problem of the human heart.” (Matthew 15:16-20). The heart of man can only be righted when man confesses his sin/departure from God, repents, and asks for, and receives God’s forgiveness.
It is not gun-control we need to stop murders, or condoms to stop STD’s and/or AIDS. It is self-control, and especially Holy Spirit initiated self-control. To make it real the world needs the grace, mercy, and love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the forgiveness only His atoning death, burial and resurrection supplies.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Substitute
Isaac, son of Abraham, the only promised son of Abraham was an obedient, trusting son. He went all the way with his father to the place “afar off” to a mountain which the LORD showed him. The faith of Abraham has been seen since Genesis 12, and he has been faithful to God.
Faithful to God does not mean there has not been some times of failure, disobedience or sin; it does mean that in all his faults he always trusted the LORD; he always returned to God. Those of us who are Christians are called to a faithful life, a life of faithfulness, and that does not mean there won’t be times we do not fail or fall into sin; it does mean we won’t stay there.
Our study today will include verse 10 once again:
“And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” Genesis 22:10-14 (KJV)
Abraham, believing God would keep His promise of making a great nation through Isaac continues with an obedient act to the LORD God, takes the knife to slay his son, and then hears the “angel of the LORD” call his name. It seems that the “angel of the LORD” stops the hand of Abraham from its downward motion. It does not seem too far to say that the LORD stopped Abraham’s hand from slaying Isaac.
There are some things in this event that we must consider. First of all, Isaac was not a worthy sacrifice (Psalm 14:2-3; Romans 3:10, 23). He was human, with the uncleanness of sin, as we all are. No sinful human being can pay the sacrifice for their sins, nor anyone else’s. Secondly, God has actually forbidden mankind from offering human sacrifice. Human sacrifice was the practice of the people whom Abraham left in Ur of the Chaldees, and the practice of the people in the land of Canaan, and God’s people are forbidden to practice the evil of the Canaanites.
It seems that we have sacrifice of children in the USA, and in other nations of the world. We see no value in the unborn so in the past 36 years we have sacrificed 48,000,000 (48 million) unborns to the gods of pleasure and convenience. Their blood cries out to the thrice holy God, and condemns the people of the nations who have practiced this unholy act. The blood of even these is insufficient to atone for the sins of those who committed the acts of treachery and murder. The unborn children that have been treasonized by their mothers cry out against them, and the “doctors” who have committed treachery against the medical profession.
Abraham’s hand is stayed by our LORD from carrying out the sacrifice showing himself faithful to God. Abraham turns and sees a Ram caught by his horns in a bush. Now, how many times would that happen. On a hill top far away from any other flocks of sheep, God provides a substitute for Isaac. We are all in need of a Substitute for our sins; a Substitute who will take our place. If we were to die for our own sins that would mean an eternity apart from God, because our death does not suffice the take away our sin; it also does not provide for us eternal life; but eternal death, apart from God; suffering eternally for our sins. That is what we deserve.
As the Ram was the substitute for Isaac, so our Substitute is the Lamb of God. The Ram whose power was yielded to His Father, and was willing to subject Himself to the evil hands of men, be the sacrifice for the sins of all mankind, offering forgiveness to all who will call on His name.
There is forgiveness to all the women who have killed their unborn children, and to the “doctors” who have committed the treacherous acts against the children, the mothers, and the medical profession by their acts of abortion. Jesus Christ is our Substitute for our sins. He died on the cross to take away our sins, cleanse us from sin, to be the atonement for our sin, to be the one who took upon Himself the wrath of His own Father, having become sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).
“Jehovah-jireh” our God has provided well for us through His Son Jesus. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Be saved, be cleansed of all your sin through faith in Jesus Christ; our Substitute; today.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 