LEARNING DAILY

Hosea 2:11, And I will put an end to all her mirth, her feasts, her new moons, her Sabbaths, and all her appointed feasts.

In the second chapter of Hosea, Hosea speaks for God using intense imagery in order to tell the people what God wants them to hear. Yes, the people of Israel have turned from God to follow the idols of the Canaanites. The Canaanites followed the god Baal believing he provided gifts like linen and oil; they thought he controlled the weather and fertility. Israel had begun to give Baal the credit for a good harvest. It is in this context that Hosea had called the people to repentance, to turn from their idolatry, promising that the Lord would restore and reconcile them if they would do so. Hosea told the people that God would place obstacles in the way of Israel’s success (v.6-10), not to destroy them but to make them realize success came from God’s goodness and grace. 

The words of Hosea speak truth to people today. Believers are never to forget the blessings and guidance that God gives to them as they walk the narrow way. Worldly pleasures, success and position can lead anyone away from the Lord and His purpose for their lives. Hosea reminds Believers today to always remember God’s grace and the blessing He gives to you every day. Believers can be quick to shake their heads at Israel’s worship of Baal and other idols. But consider for a moment those things, those activities, those desires, those people you place before God in your life. Would you agree that your priorities can be out of order often during the day? I admit there are days this happens to me! It is those days that I place doing other things before the time I need to spend with my heavenly Father and Lord.

Let me get to the verse above. God told Hosea who told the people He was going to stop all of Israel’s celebration, including religious festivals and celebrations. They had stopped being meaningful; they had become social gatherings – empty and only a ritual, losing their true meaning. These observances had once been to honor and take time to remember, remember what God had done for His people. Saying He would end these celebrations meant God did not want a ritual, He desired true genuine worship.

Okay, I am going to try to be very careful in how I conclude this with relevance for people, especially Believers. Consider what you place before God and stop doing it – He desires your worship. “I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.” (New Living Translation of Hosea 6:6). What do you think God thinks about how Christmas and Easter are celebrated? Santa Claus and presents instead of magnifying the birth of His Son, the Messiah, the One who came to save you for eternity? Or, a bunny giving eggs and chocolate emphasized instead of the risen Lord overcoming death and the grave.

I want you to consider today how much God loves you and desires your genuine worship, placing Him before everything else in your life. Hosea 2:11 is a challenge to reflect on your Bible reading/study/meditation and prayer life; it is an encouragement to pursue a deeper, more genuine relationship with God. I pray you are encouraged to have a greater “hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness” (Matthew 5:6). My prayer is that you “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33), and it becomes greater tomorrow, and even greater next week, and the days after that. Do not get sidetracked by the business of everyday life. Place the Lord first in your thoughts and daily life and see what He does for you.