"Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land:
“There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.
There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery;
they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
“There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.
There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery;
they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
Because of this the land dries up, and all who live in it waste away;
the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky
and the fish in the sea are swept away."
the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky
and the fish in the sea are swept away."
Hosea 4:1-3
- Hosea means "salvation"
- Hosea was called as prophet for Israel, around 800 a.C.. Israelites thought everything was fine, but they were dying because of idolatry, immorality and injustice.
- God expects our repentance. He believes in us!
"Then I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt
and seek my face—
in their misery they will earnestly seek me." Hosea 5:15
and seek my face—
in their misery they will earnestly seek me." Hosea 5:15
- God alerts His people:
“Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us;
he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.
He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us;
he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us,
that we may live in his presence.
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises, he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3
that we may live in his presence.
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises, he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3
- But people rely in the certainty of God´s mercy and just return to God when they need a "fast" benefit. (Hosea 6:4). And God compares our search for Him to vapour, fog, cloud...
- God is the best Father. (Hosea 6:6) He gives instructions, rules for us to follow so we won´t fail. He is more interested in us to succeed then on us coming to Him to apologize after failing. If we don´t do wrong, we won´t need forgiveness.
- God believes in us! (Hosea 6:8-9). He insists! Even when we don´t look up to Him, He keeps on looking down!
1. 14:1: Turn to God! Acknowledge your mistakes and turn to Him! (1 John 1:9)
2. 14:2: Pray! Ask for forgiveness! The Lord is more interested in our prayers, praises, dedication, love... (Psalms 69:30-31)
3. 14:3: Put God in His place! Give God the first place! Recognize you depend on Him! (Isaiah 30:1-2)
- God promises us healing. (14:4). When we admit our sins, God comes to heal us. Sin hurts! Hurts me, hurts God and hurts others around me.
- God promises us prosperity, life and renew! (Hosea 14:5-7)
- We need to leave idolatry. (Hosea 14:8) and be wise (Hosea 14:9)
A summary of Ana´s preaching
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