Please read Hosea 2.
Meditate on verses 19-20.
“I will betroth you to Me forever.
Yes, I will betroth you to Me in
righteousness and in justice,
in lovingkindness and in compassion,
and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the
LORD.”
Baal worship
came from Phoenicia and was based upon the agricultural seasons and rain
cycles. Baal worshippers believed he was the fertility god. He sent rain, made
the crops grow, and caused animals and humans to be born. When the rains
stopped, his followers believed he had been killed. In order to bring Baal back
to life, the followers needed to create enough positive energy for his
mistress, Anath, to love him and resuscitate him so he would send rain and
bring more fertility.
These
beliefs made great business at the local Baal worship centers with many priests
and temple prostitutes on staff. In Israel, the locals took worship of Yahweh
and made it the worship of Baal. They credited Baal for what God gave them.
Notice God’s sorrowful response in Hosea 2:13: “I will punish her for the days
of the Baals when she used to offer sacrifices to them and adorn herself with
her earrings and jewelry, and follow her lovers, so that she forgot Me.”
In spite of
Israel’s adulteries, God shows endless compassion and undying love for her. He
allures her and speaks kindly to her. He wants her to call Him Ishi which
means “my husband.” He promises to make the heavens and the earth respond so
there is food, wine, and oil. Only God can meet Israel’s needs!
God extends
that same compassion and love to you. He desires to draw you to Himself. God
wants to bring life to you. No other person, job, status, or measure of
security can take care of you. He wants to eternally provide for you as His
bride. No one else can be God but God.
Pray Hosea
2:19-20 and 23 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful,
prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).
“LORD let
_________ and me be betrothed to You
forever.
Betroth
us in righteousness and in justice,
in
lovingkindness and in compassion.
Betroth
us to You in faithfulness.
Then we will know You, LORD.
Sow us
for Yourself in the land.
Have
compassion on ________ who has not
obtained compassion.
Say to those who were not Your people,
‘You
are My people!’
For the
sake of Your name, Jesus~”
The WATCHMAN
on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell
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