Meditations in Hosea

1.   The Case
      Hosea 4:6a – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

2.  The Cause

     A.  They rejected God’s wisdom.
           Hosea 4:6b – “Because thou hast rejected knowledge . . . .”

     B.  They neglected God’s Word.
           Hosea 4:6c – “Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God . . . .”

     C.  They disobeyed God’s will.
           Hosea 4:10c – “. . . Because they have left off to take heed to the LORD.”

3.   The Circumstance
      Hosea 4:7a – “As they were increased, so they sinned against me.”
      Hosea 4:11 – “Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.”

4.   The Choice

      A.  Of Pursuit
            Hosea 4:8a – “They eat up the sin of my people.”

      B.  Of Priority
            Hosea 4:8b – “And they set their heart on their iniquity.”

5.  The Counsel
      Hosea 4:12a – “My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them.”

6.   The Corruption

      A.  In Desire
            Hosea 4:12b – “For the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err.”

      B.  In Direction
            Hosea 4:12c – “And they have gone a whoring from under their God.”

      C.  In Discernment
            Hosea 4:13a – “They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under
            oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good.”

7.   The Consequence

      A.  Loss of Fellowship
           Hosea 4:6b – “Because thou has rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest
           to me.”

      B.  Destruction of Family
            Hosea 4:6c – “Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”
            Hosea 4:13b – “Therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit
            adultery. I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they
            commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the
            people that doth not understand shall fall.”

      C.  Emptiness of Fortunes
            Hosea 4:7b – “Therefore will I change their glory into shame.”
            Hosea 4:9-10 – “And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and
            reward them their doings.  For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and
            shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD.”

Posted in Meditations in Hosea, Rebellion against God, Judgment of Our Lord

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Weekly Sermon
 
James 2:8-13 reads, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill.  Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.  So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.  For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”
 
James 2:8-13 presents the conclusion to the lengthy paragraph that began with verse 1.  As we have noted, this paragraph directly confronts those who are showing sinful partiality against the poor and needy in favor of the rich and prestigious.  James 2:8-13 concludes the paragraph by providing Biblical admonition and instruction concerning the relationship between the law of God and the practice of showing partiality.  First, in verse 8 there is a commendation for loving behavior toward our neighbor – “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.”  Second, in verse 9 there is a condemnation for practicing partiality in our relationships – “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”  Third, in verses 10-11 there is the conviction of God’s law against practicing partiality – “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill.  Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.”  Fourth, in verse 12 there is the charge to obey God’s law of love – “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.”  Fifth and finally, in verse 13 there is the consequence for not obeying God’s law of love – “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”

Weekly Sermon

James 1:11 reads, “For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.”

James 1:9-11 presents the second paragraph of the epistle.  This paragraph gives counsel concerning the contrasting subjects of humble maturity and worldly materialism.  In these three verses, only two sentences are delivered.  The first sentence of this paragraph is a compound sentence, encompassing verses 9-10.  The second sentence of the paragraph encompasses verse 11.  In the closing line of verse 10, the warning of God’s Word is delivered unto the wealthy believer, saying, “Because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.”  This warning provides the reason that the wealthy believer should obey the instruction of verse 10 to glory “in that he is made low.”  Then beginning with the explanatory conjunction “for,” verse 11 expands and explains that warning through the form of an illustrative picture. 

Even so, James 1:11 provides an illustration of admonition against the spirit and ways of worldly materialism, saying, “For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.”  In the illustrative picture of this verse, we encounter four significant elements.  First, we encounter the scorching heat of the risen sun.  Second, we encounter the withering up of the flowering grass.  Third, we encounter the falling flower from the withered grass.  Fourth, we encounter the perishing grace of the fallen flower.  Then through the closing line of the verse, each of these four elements is applied with a direct correspondence to the materialistic believer in his materialistic ways.  “So also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.”  How then do the four elements of this illustration correspond to the materialistic believer in his materialistic ways?

 Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:21-23 reads, “Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.  Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”

As we consider the message of these three verses, a contrast is revealed to us.  In this passage we find a contrast revealed between the proud of this world and the servant of the Lord.  Psalm 119:21 speaks concerning the proud of this world, saying, “Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.”  Whereas, the closing portion of Psalm 119:23 speaks concerning the servant of the Lord, saying, “But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”  First, this contrast can be seen in the definition of their character.  On the one had is the category of the proud ones; on the other hand is the category of the Lord’s servants.  Clearly there is contrast between pride and servanthood.  Second, this contrast can be seen in their relationship to God’s Word.  The closing portion of Psalm 119:21 speaks concerning the proud of this world, saying, “Which do err from thy commandments.”  Whereas, the closing portion of Psalm 119:22 speaks concerning the servant of the Lord, saying, “For I have kept thy testimonies;” and the closing portion of verse 23 adds, “But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”  The proud of this world err from and rebel against God’s Word; whereas, the servant of the Lord keeps and meditates in God’s Word.  Third, this contrast can be seen in their position in this world.  The opening portion of Psalm 119:23 describes the proud of this world as princes.  Whereas, the opening portion of Psalm 119:22 indicates that the servant of the Lord was under “reproach and contempt.”  So then, the proud ones are often in the position of success; whereas, the Lord’s servants are often in a position of contempt.

Yet in this passage, not only is a contrast revealed, but also a conflict is indicated.  The opening portion of Psalm 119:23 indicates that the proud of this world, who are in positions of success, are the very ones who speak against the servants of the Lord, the very ones who pour out reproach and contempt upon the servants of the Lord.  So then, there is not simply a contrast between these two categories, but also a conflict between them.  However, in this passage there is also a comfort provided unto the servants of the Lord.  Although at the present time the servants of the Lord may be in a position of reproach and contempt, spoken against by the proud of this world, yet the servants of the Lord are also in a position to call out in prayer unto the Lord for deliverance.  In Psalm 119:22 the psalmist, this servant of the Lord, did just that, praying, “Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.”  In addition, while in the midst of reproach and contempt from the proud of this world, the servants of the Lord also possess the comforting assurance that the Lord will eventually judge the proud and will deliver His servants thereby.  Even so, in the opening portion of Psalm 119:21, the psalmist, this servant of the Lord, expressed his assurance, saying, “Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed.”

So then, for the remainder of this message, let us focus our attention upon what this passage says about the proud of this world.  In Psalm 119:21-23 we encounter the character of the proud, the conduct of the proud, the contempt of the proud, and the curse of the proud.

Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:12 reads, “Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.”

Throughout Psalm 119 we encounter four primary themes.  First, we encounter the theme concerning God’s Word as the perfect guide for life.  Second, we encounter the theme concerning God’s servant in his right relationship with God’s Word.  Third, we encounter the theme concerning God’s servant in his desire to walk with the Lord through God’s truth.  Finally, we encounter the theme concerning God’s servant in his suffering for the Lord’s sake.  Thus the theme of Psalm 119 as a whole might be viewed as – The desire of the Lord’s suffering servant to seek the Lord through His Holy Word.

Yet why did the Lord’s suffering servant have such a driving desire to seek the Lord through His Word?  Why did he exclaim in verse 5, “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!”  Why did he make searching request in the opening portion of verse 9, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?”  Why did he express the burden of his heart in the opening portion of verse 10, saying, “With my whole heart have I sought thee”?  The answer is to be found in the opening portion of verse 12, wherein this young servant of the Lord proclaimed, “Blessed art thou, O LORD.”  This young servant of the Lord was motivated to seek the Lord with all his heart through God’s Word because he was convinced with full assurance of faith that the Lord was abundantly worthy of his love, trust, submission, and service.  

In fact, throughout this psalm the psalmist gives notice to seven characteristics by which he was convinced that the Lord was so abundantly worthy, and by which he was moved to proclaim, “Blessed art thou, O LORD.”

Outlines in Psalms

 I.  The Violent Character of Wicked Persecutors (Psalm 140:2-5)
II.  The Lord’s Curse upon Wicked Persecutors (Psalm 140:8-12)

Outlines in Psalms

“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.”

 I.  The Cry and Case of the Lord’s faithful Servant (Psalm 140:1-5)
II.  The Dependence and Desire of the Lord’s Faithful Servant (Psalm 140:6-13)

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to six previous sermons:
                Blessed Be the Most High God - Genesis 14:19-20    
                The Most High Ruleth - Daniel 4:32    
                The Most High Uttereth His Voice - 2 Samuel 22:14    
                Sing Praise to the Name of the Lord Most High - Psalm 7:17    
                Dwelling in the Secret Place of the Most High - Psalm 91:1    
                The Years of the Right Hand of the Most High - Psalm 77:10    

Psalm 107:10-12 reads, “Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.”

The Lord our God is the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth.  As the most high God, He does indeed involve Himself in the affairs of this world and in the midst of our lives.  Yea, as the most high God, He is mighty to deliver, merciful to bless, mindful to help, majestic in sovereignty, marvelous in faithfulness, magnified through judgment, and Most High for ever.  The Lord our God, as the most high God, is worthy to be praised and honored above all.  He is worthy to be praised and honored for His righteousness, for His protection, for His almighty power, for His eternal sovereignty, and for His faithful lovingkindness.  Yea, because the Lord our God is the most high God of heaven and earth, we who are His people have the responsibility to walk daily in fellowship with Him, place the trust of our hearts in Him, set the love of our hearts upon Him, call in need through prayer upon Him, order our lives in righteousness before Him, and offer our praise and thanksgiving unto Him.  Yet what of those who refuse to walk aright before the Lord our God, the most high God?  What of those who rebel against the Most High?

Proverbs for Life

The Character of the Scorner
The Confrontation of the Scorner
The Consequence for the Scorner

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to two previous sermons:  Blessed Be the Most High God - Genesis 14:19-20    
                                                                                       The Most High Ruleth - Daniel 4:32    

2 Samuel 22:14 reads, “The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.”  The Lord our God as the most high God does indeed utter His voice in this world.  He does indeed involve Himself in the affairs of this world.  Yea, the Lord our God as the most high God does indeed move and work in the midst of our lives.  Even so, through a study within the book of the Psalms, let us consider seven characteristics of the Lord our God, the most high God, specifically in His relationship to His people and to this world.

Meditations in Jeremiah

In Jeremiah 42:1-3 we read, “Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near, and said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) that the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.”  Herein this remnant of Judah presented their request for prayer that the Lord their God might direct them in the way that He would have them to go.  Yea, they made request for prayer that the Lord might direct them in the way of His will in order that they might obediently walk therein.  Certainly, this was a good request to make.  Certainly, this was the right request to make. 

Yet after having revealed the Lord’s answer to their request in Jeremiah 42:7-18, the prophet Jeremiah then presented a significant rebuke against this remnant of Judah.  Even so, in Jeremiah 42:19-20 he proclaimed, “The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.  For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.”  Herein the prophet Jeremiah accused this remnant of having dissembled in their hearts as they expressed their request for prayer.  Now, to dissemble in one’s heart means to attempt to manipulate another by concealing one’s true motives under a false appearance.  Even so, this remnant of Judah dissembled in their prayer request before the Lord God.  Yea, they sought to manipulate the Lord God through prayer, appearing to desire His will concerning their way, while having already decided what way they intended to go.  Indeed, they sought to manipulate the Lord God through prayer into agreeing with that which they already desired and had already decided.

Outlines in Psalms

“Praise ye the LORD.”

  I.  The Commitment of the Lord’s Servant. (Psalm 146:1-2)
 II.  The Counsel of the Lord’s Servant. (Psalm 146:3-4)
III.  The Consequence of Trusting the Lord. (Psalm 146:5)
IV.  The Cause for Trusting the Lord. (Psalm 146:6-10)

“Praise ye the LORD.”

Outlines in Psalms

“Praise ye the LORD.”

 I.  Let the Saints Praise the Lord for His gracious salvation. (Psalm 149:1-4)
II.  Let the Saints Praise the Lord for His victorious empowerment. (Psalm 149:5-9)

“Praise ye the LORD.”

Meditations in Exodus

In Exodus 3:16-17 the Lord God instructed Moses to go unto and gather together the elders of Israel and to deliver the Lord’s message of deliverance unto them.  Then in the opening line of Exodus 3:18, the Lord God declared, “And they shall hearken to thy voice.”  Yet in Exodus 4:1 Moses questioned the Lord God on this matter – “And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.”  In response the Lord God provided Moses with a series of miraculous signs, with the purpose “that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.” (Exodus 4:5)  Even so, we are taught through these miraculous signs of our Lord God’s sovereign power over the matters of our lives.

Proverbs for Life

This post is a companion to a previous post:  Proverbs & The Sin of Sexual Lust (Part 1)    

The book of the Proverbs is written from the perspective of a father who is providing spiritual counsel to his young adult son.  With such a perspective, this book of God’s Holy Word presents a significant amount of admonition concerning the sin of sexual lust.  Even so, in the book of the Proverbs we find admonition concerning:

  I.  The Power of Temptation’s Deception
 II.  The Pathway to Utter Destruction
III.  The Protection of Spiritual Discernment
IV.  The Principle of Fleeing Departure
 V.  The Precept for Marital Devotion & Delight