Burned, Raw, or Baked Biscuits

O. T. #2049 "Burned, Raw, or Baked Biscuits"

Oct. 19, 2021

Hosea 7-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Today, I need some encouraging words after reading about all those sins in Israel during Hosea's day. I found it in Psalm 92:

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O Most High: To show forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night.(verses 1-2)

For Thou, LORD, hast made me glad through Thy work: I will triumph in the works of Thy hands. (verse 4)

They shall still bring fruit in old age: they shall be faith and flourishing; To show that the LORD is upright: He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. (verses 14-15)

As some of us are getting on in years now, we can find encouragement that we can still bring spiritual fruit, bring glory to Jesus, and declare His righteousness and faithfulness.

LET IT GROW

Raw biscuit dough is not all that good to eat with a meal. Also, burned biscuits are not desirable to eat. Now when a biscuit is baked just right, done on the inside and brown on the bottom-mmm bring on the honey, jelly, or apple butter. It is good to eat!

In this chapter, we have three similes that Hosea uses to compare Israel with in verses 4-8:

1. Their passion for sin was like a fire in an oven: bank the fire at night, and it will be ready to blaze out in the morning, ready for baking bread in the morning. The "fuel" for the fire was wine, for alcohol and sin often go together. The physical adulterers were also spiritual adulterers, unfaithful to God as they went after idols.
2. A palace celebration during which the king and his officers got drunk, giving the king's enemies opportunity to overthrow him and even kill him.
3. A half-baked cake-bread was baked on hot rocks by nomadic peoples. If the dough wasn't turned, one side was burned and the other side uncooked. Israel mixed with the other nations and became like them. Israel burned for Assyria on the one hand and left uncooked on the other. The Lord's working in us must permeate our whole being so that our heart, mind, and strength are all devoted to Him.

Is our passion for God and not for things of this world? Does our soul burn for Jesus? Are we all in wholeheartedly or half-hearted for Him?

 

LET IT GO

Jesus, penetrate our mind, soul, and body for Your service.

Fill us with Thy Spirit today.

May we sing Your praises throughout this day.

No matter our age, may You find us faithful.