Shame or Honor

O. T. #2039   "Shame or Honor"

Oct. 5, 2021

Hosea 4-Part 2

Yet let no man strive nor reprove another; for thy people are as they that strive with the priest. (verse 4)

LET IT GLOW

Israel was guilty of sins before God. He had a quarrel with them and warned them of judgment to come if they did not repent. First came the charges to the nation-no truth, no mercy, no knowledge of God in the land.

The good news is that God would not forget His children of Israel. He would call out a remnant, establish a new kingdom where righteousness shall reign. We know this happened after Judah fell to Babylonian rule and Israel to Assyrian rule. (Also, during the Millennial reign of Christ as King this will happen.) (verse 6)

Second, came the accusation to the priests of Israel. What were they guilty of? Verses 4-14 tell us:

• The people were to not strive (rebuke; debate)  with others nor with the priests. They were pointing fingers and passing blame. God's complaint was with the priests. They will stumble and fall, and God will destroy Israel, their mother. (verses 4-5)
• God's people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge because the priests forgot the law of God. They were not teaching the truth of God's Word. Since the priests refused to know God, then God will refuse to recognize those priests. (verse 6)
• Even though Israel increased in numbers, they sinned against God. Fathers were not teaching their children God's Law and righteousness. So the children were worse sinners than their fathers. There glory would be changed into shame (disgrace; dishonor; reproach). They exchanged the glory of God for the shame of idols. (verse 7)
• The priests did not help the people face their sins and deal with it. They delighted in the sins of the people and made that the object of their desire, instead of the Law of God.(verse 8)

LET IT GROW

Do we argue with the preacher about the Word of God, try to get rid of him, or just leave the church? Do they tell the truth about our sins? Are we teaching our children what the Bible says about the way to live? Is our life pointing others to Jesus? Do we have shame or glory?

These are things to ponder on, folks. Our society is in bad shape. Sin is made into laws allowing it to be legal to kill babies, homosexuals are given rights and leadership positions, schools no longer discipline children, many parents commit adultery and their children fornication. We need to share the truth of God's Word, that judgment is coming if we do not repent and turn from our wicked ways.

LET IT GO

Father God, You can make all things new. Renew our hearts and lives, convicting us of our sins and changing our lives. May we fall down on our knees begging for mercy for our nation and pulpits.

Folks, pray for and support the preachers that are telling the truth of God's Word. May the Lord bless you and give you strength to stand for His Word.