ISRAEL PUNISHED FOR UNFAITHFULNESS

Passage: Hosea 2:2~13  

Key verse: 8


1. The ungrateful and unfaithful wife (2-8)

Israel was like an unfaithful wife to her husband God. God had blessed her and provided for her abundantly. But she chased after other lovers--she worshiped the Canaanite gods. She did not acknowledge God as the source of blessing, even though he was the one who had lavished his blessings on her. She said that grain, oil and new wine came from Baal, the Canaanite fertility god. Unfaithfulness begins with ingratitude.

2. Therefore I will take away my blessings (9-13)

In order to teach the ungrateful people that God is the source of all blessing, he would remove the blessings Israel took for granted. He would make them like a parched desert. He would ruin Israel's vines and fig trees, which she had said were given her by Baal. He would take away the wool and linen which covered her nakedness. He would put a stop to her hypocritical worship services, and punish her for the days she burned incense to the Baals.


Prayer: Lord, you are the source of every blessing. Give me a thankful heart.

One Word: Acknowledge God and thank him