Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness.
Hosea 2:9
Where do we see the Lord’s hand in this shutdown? Is there a corresponding event in the scripture? Today’s letter will take us to the book of Hosea, chapter 2. In the first chapter Hosea is told to married a harlot. Of course, we know this marriage was to symbolize the relationship between Israel and the Lord.
In chapter 2 the Lord speaks directly to the harlot but we know he is speaking to the backsliding Israel. Please read the entire second chapter of Hosea. But notice the things that the Lord does to draw the harlot back to himself.
- He destroyed routine living. (2:6) Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.
- He ruined provisions. (2:9) Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness.
- He took away all the religious assemblies. (2:11) I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.
Then, when all that she depended on was gone he drew her into the wilderness. There he wins his lover back to himself. Perhaps, he is drawing us (the church) now into a wilderness to win us back from our idolatry. If so, let us run to Him and embrace his presence in this strange place.
poetry: Please enjoy this poem from Dr. Chris Osterbrock, taken from his book, Osterbroken Octuplets and Other Poems. (Used with the permission of the author.)
My Lord's Fierce Squall by C. Ellis Osterbrock My heart's inclination As indistinguishable as a breeze And too often just as lucid Too weak to bend surrounding trees When I seek the Spirit's urging Grace induces transformation It is then my Lord's fierce squall that provides My heart's inclination
Prayer Requests: Please pray for our missionary, Mojic Baldandorj.
Catechism: The Principles of the Christian Religion.
- Question 46: What are you to consider in Christ, the mediator of this covenant?
- Answer: Two things: his nature and his office.
- Question 47: How many natures are there in Christ?
- Answer: Two. the Godhead, and the manhood, joined together in one person: which is none other than the second person of the Trinity.
- Question 48: Why must Christ be God?
- Answer: That his obedience and suffering might be of infinite worth and value, as proceeding from such a person, as was God equal to the Father. That he might be able to overcome the sharpness of death (which himself was to undergo) and to raise us up from the death of sin, by sending his Holy Spirit into our hearts.
“Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”
All my best.
Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.
Hosea 2:14
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