Bible Chapter: Hosea 5 & 6

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
The leaders who had the responsibility to guide the people to the Lord didn’t do their job.  They didn’t pay attention to God.  So, the result was that judgment was coming against them.  They led the people into a snare, a trap, by worshiping idols.  But, God said He would settle with them for what they had done.  As I read that I thought this is a very scary place to be.  If God says He will settle things, He will always win.  And, there was no place to hide.
It is vital that people who sin, people who are guilty, will admit their guilt and turn to God.  It is common for people who are in the middle of trouble to earnestly search for God.  They should seek God before the trouble comes, then the trouble might not come.  God desires relationship with people, so He said he wanted them to show love, not offer sacrifices.  God longs for people to know Him more than for them to offer burnt sacrifices.
The Israelites were still going through the religious rituals of sacrificing to God, but their actions were useless. God had already withdrawn from them. There was no real faith, or desire to repent.  They were selfish and sinful.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
The spiritual leaders had moved the spiritual boundary stones.  They attempted to change the truths and standards of God and the people gladly accepted these changes.  They allowed sin to be accepted.  The prophet urged the people to repent and turn to God for mercy.  The people had no desire for God and no interest in repentance. Hosea told the nation that God loved them and wanted to restore them. Their problems were because of their sin.  Yet, they would still stubbornly refuse to turn from their sin and follow God.  Learning about God and His love is a vital part of life.  Living the way God says to live is even more important.

3.  How can I help someone?
Learn from the failures in history.  Don’t just look at what is happening and look for the easiest way out.  Learn about God from the successes and failures of previous generations as they responded to God’s eternal Word.