HOSEA’S TEST

Time with Jesus - 15 Aug. 2013

Hi all,

In most parts of the world, people write examinations in order to acquire a qualification. In UK because of the number of children, there were two “types” of education. Types may be a misnomer. 

Originally there were “two streams” in secondary schooling. Theoretically, one “stream” was likely to seek tertiary education. This usually meant attending a university or similar. These children attended a “grammar school”. The other “stream” was more likely to become a “blue-collar” worker, a tradesman or similar. These children attended a “secondary modern” school.

The “stream” you entered was decided by passing an examination called the 11+. Those who passed attended the grammar school. Those who didn’t attended the secondary modern school. There was another alternative. If your parents could afford the fees, you could attend a Public School such as Eaton or Harrow. Doing so could improve the youngster’s chances of being admitted to university.

The South African education system has also gone through much trauma over the past 20 years. To some extent part came about as a result of where “learners” lived. Schooling in the rural areas was not of a high standard. It’s unnecessary to spell out what took place in detail. We know education standards have been reduced. Furthermore, a child could not “fail” a grade. They passed on the bases of time spent at school. 

The outcome is that South African Universities now require learners to pass their entrance examination. Furthermore, many of the qualifications from South African Universities are no longer accepted internationally. Perhaps the best comment about our current education system is that it’s a “minefield”!

Hosea - The tragic tale of Love

Hosea was confronted with an examination unprecedented in Jewish History. He was the last prophet God sent to take His message to the Northern Kingdom. Hosea prophesied during a dark and melancholic era of Israel's history, the period of the Northern Kingdom's decline and fall in the 8th century BC. 

The apostasy of the people was rampant, having turned away from God in order to serve the animals of King Jeroboam and Baal, a Canaanite god. During Hosea's lifetime, the kings of the Northern Kingdom, their aristocratic supporters, and the priests led the people away from the Law of God, as given in the Pentateuch. 

The Prophet of God's Love
for His people

Forsaking the worship of God, they worshiped other gods, especially Baal, the Canaanite fertility god. Other sins followed, including homicide, perjury, theft, and sexual sin. Hosea declared that unless they repented of these sins, God will allow their nation to be destroyed. The people would be taken into captivity.

Hosea the brokenhearted
husband, shows us our
Brokenhearted God

Hosea was townsman from Israel. He was sent by God to “woo” Israel and appeal to them to return to Him. He spoke of Godly mercy and Divine love. He emphasised God’s great “pity” for His people in spite of sin and idolatry. Hosea brought a message indicating the people needed to get to “know” God in the face of national sin.

Jesus bought us back from Satan
for the price of a slave

Hosea’s “trial” was to marry a prostitute who would not love him. It is a picture of Israel’s situation as far as God was concerned. The people were in a covenant relationship with God, similar to the covenant relationship between husband and wife. 

Hosea buys his wife back from her
owner for the price of a female slave

The “historic” portion of the book tells how he married a prostitute Gomer. They had children three children. Gomer proved to be unfaithful and wandered back into prostitution where she became enslaved. Finally, Hosea “bought her” back from her owners and restored her as his wife.

It’s a tragic story revealing the love of God, even for a nation deeply in sin. God saw Israel as a prostitute who was only interested in worshipping and serving foreign gods. 

Come, let us return to the LORD.
He has torn us to pieces; now He will heal us.
Hosea 6:1a

Hosea’s experiences with Gomer were a reflection of what God saw in His people in the Northern Kingdom. They refused to repent and in 722BC the people of the Northern Kingdom were defeated and taken into captivity by the Assyrians. They were warned and wouldn’t repent.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Marry a Prostitute

Hosea's Love for Gomer the Prostitute is picture of
God's love for you and me!

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 15 August 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	HOSEA’S TEST
There has been a lot of talk in recent years concerning the validity of modern prophets. It appears that there are three main views on this. The one view is that there is no such thing. Those who claim they are modern-day prophets must be charlatans, or liars, or both. This is always a possibility. I suspect that every Old Testament prophet, with the exception of Moses, would have disassociated themselves immediately with the claim. The truth of prophet-hood would be established about 100 years after they had died! The second view is that they are plentiful today. The difference is the understanding of what is meant by being a modern-day prophet. Mostly what they bring, is in line with Paul’s comments to the Corinthians: 3 But those who prophesy speak to people for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.1 Corinthians 14:3 TNIV In the good old King Jimmy version these words are, for edification, exhortation, and comfort. In that sense, each and every Christian may prophesy. That includes you and me! (Perish the thought) The third and final group are those who don’t care one way or the other. If they like what they hear – great! If not – “What’s for lunch?” My position is very convenient. I’m a “card- carrying, fence-sitter”! There are aspects of the first and the second views I love. I believe there are men and women called prophets today. But I object strongly to those who are self-proclaimed Prophets. Frankly I’ve heard and read some of the most outrageous garbage masquerading as the prophetic word. I’ve also come across very ordinary men and women through whom the Spirit of God has spoken. They seldom realise it. If they thought for one moment that they were “prophetic”, they would run away. The Old Testament Prophets were often called upon by God to do some extraordinary things. In this regard, read some of the things Ezekiel was required to do. Isaiah was told to go and speak to a people who would not listen. Jeremiah went through the most horrendous life experiences. However, for me the one who really “takes the biscuit” was the prophet Hosea. He was told to marry a prostitute who would not love him. The Lord was showing through the life of His prophet, what it was like to be in covenant with a people who didn’t love Him. They preferred to go and chase after other gods. That’s exactly what Hosea did. He married a woman called “Gomer” the daughter of Diblaim. In “fairy stories”, they all lived happily ever after. In real life this seldom happens. This woman had no intention of changing her ways and being faithful to her husband. In no time at all, she was back “on the streets” following the oldest profession in the world. She left him and became the slave of her lover! Then the Lord commanded Hosea to buy her back, for the price of an ordinary female slave. He did! What shocks us today is that God would do such a thing. We are told in the New Testament not to touch the filthy things of unbelievers. So what do we do today with men like Hosea and women like Gomer? I don’t have the answer. I do know what usually happens when a Christian marries an unbeliever. My recommendation from personal experience is, “Don’t do it!” Jim & Phyllida Strickland			14 "But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. Hosea 2:14 NLT	Hosea; O Hosea! What a dreadful test. To have to marry someone who was second-hand at best! A prostitute; delighted to be with other men, Who didn’t do it once or twice, but time and time again! To then be told to look for her; return her to the fold. What a shock to find her, while she was being sold. And yet, you bought her back again and spoke so tenderly. I’m not sure I could take it Lord, if that was done to me. I think that I would run away as far as I could go! To go back to a prostitute? – O Lord I do not know. But Gomer was a picture of Your people, Israel. Who thought that they could serve You and other gods as well? This was prostitution in Your tender, loving eyes. Serving Baal or Molech was a thing which You despise. Hosea’s test was something, to tell us about You. About the things, Almighty God, that You have had to do! Your people were unfaithful; with other gods they whored. The covenant they had with you, they totally ignored. And though you took them back again innumerable times, The day would come when they would have to pay for all their crimes. “Leave the unbelievers! Don’t touch their filthy things! Shun all their unfaithfulness, their jewels and their rings! Be My sons and daughters and I will welcome you. Dedicate yourselves to being faithful, pure and true. Clothe yourselves with holiness in body, soul and mind. Jesus’ blood will cleanse you and you will surely find, That when you’ve gone to be with Him and dwell outside the camp, There’ll be no incentive for you to be a tramp! Come aside and be with Him where you can rest awhile. Come to a deserted place where you can’t be defiled. Then I’ll be your Shepherd and you will be my sheep. Thoroughly restored; by quiet waters, you I’ll keep. Let Me lead and guide you in the paths of righteousness. Leave that ugly lifestyle and surely I will bless. And you will be forever, in pastures which are green. No longer a prostitute; instead you’ll be My queen!” Jim Strickland Written 15th August 2012
			17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty. " 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 NLT
			1 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 NLT
			12 So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make His people holy by means of His own blood. 13 So let us go out to Him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace He bore. Hebrews 13:12-13 NLT
			31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31 ESV
			A psalm of David. 1 The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalms 23:1-4 NIV

JIMMETS – COVENANT GIFT

Time with Jesus - 14 Aug. 2013

1666 - London in Flames

Hi all,

We have all heard that Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Nero blamed the blaze on the Christians. This unleashed a time of great persecution on Roman Christians. It is thought that Nero started the blaze. He planned a new Rome; one of his own design to replace the old. 

Portion of London Destroyed by Fire

It’s difficult to know how much of this was achieved. No doubt parts were rebuilt and parts were built according to Nero’s design. “It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good”.

The Monument to
The Great Fire

We know the saying. It’s an English proverb and is based on the premise that when something is bad, someone else will usually benefit. However, a wind would have to be really bad if it brought nothing good to anyone!

London Before the Fire
Note houses built on London Bridge

In slightly more recent times (1666) a great fire destroyed a part London. It was a catastrophe. Many homes were completely destroyed and many lives lost. However, there were two small benefits. 1) The plague epidemic came to an end. 2) The rebuilding of much of the town along with St Pauls Cathedral.

London in the mid 1800's
Note the Dome of St Paul's Cathedral

The Great Plague epidemic of 1665 is believed to have killed a sixth of London's inhabitants, or 80,000 people. It is sometimes suggested, since plague epidemics did not recur in London after the fire, the fire saved lives in the long run. It did this by burning down unsanitary housing with their rats and fleas which transmitted the plague.

Panorama of London Before the Fire

The Old St Paul’s Cathedral burned down. Many people who had taken refuge within the building were killed. It is thought the scaffolding around the building caught fire resulting in its destruction. The connection with Nero is, many thought the fire had been started by Roman Catholics.

Sir Christopher Wren

The Old St Paul’s was being repaired by a young man, later Sir Christopher Wren. He would have been 32 at the time of the fire. The design of the New St Paul’s was largely his. Construction began in 1675 and was complete in 1720. Wren died in 1723 when he was 90. Thus he witnessed the project from destruction to finalisation.

Zerubbabel

Few men get the opportunity of building or rebuilding a cathedral or temple from start to finish. King Solomon was one of them. The architect was his father, King David. Another Bible character associated with rebuilding the temple was Zerubbabel. 
These buildings were all made from ordinary materials, available almost anywhere.When it comes to the building or rebuilding of a temple for the Kingdom of God, there is a great difference. In a way, Wren, Zerubbabel and even David and Solomon “missed it”. They were looking for a beautiful earthly cathedral or temple made from bricks, stone, mortar and other earthly materials. 

Jesus Temple
Made from "Living Stones

The Temple Jesus is building is different. Paul expressed this as follows: ¹⁹ So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. ²⁰ Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself. ²¹ We are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Eph. 2:19-21 NLT

Being Built into a Temple

You and I have no idea exactly where we are located in this Holy Temple. We do know that Jesus is the cornerstone and this new “house” is being built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. 

I’m particularly drawn to the fact that you and I are just “bricks” in the temple He is building. We also know that Jesus is the architect and He will see the “building project” through from start to finish. Sir Christopher Wren was a magnificent architect. But he is not in the same class as Jesus Christ. Furthermore, you and I have no fear that what He builds will burn down. 

The very opposite is true. It is the wind and fire of the Holy Spirit which keeps us in position in the edifice. In fact we need the wind and fire to purify us. Bricks are always baked in the sun or in a fire. This gives them the strength to bear the weight of the bricks around us. The wind is used to provide air into the furnace, so that the temperature of the bricks is controlled.

A "Temple of People"

The Lord Jesus is in full control of the building of His Holy Temple. He chooses each and every brick and places them in the building exactly where they are best needed. He is the Master Builder. We may not “like” our position in the building. However, Jesus knows best. Furthermore, He has plans for the temple He is building. Where will it “fit” into His Kingdom or into the New Jerusalem? Good question!

"God's Holy People" in the "New Temple"

Today we meditate on God’s Promise to David and on Ephesians 1:3-6. There is also reference to Romans 8:28 in the introduction. 2 Tim 1:12 is not referred to directly, but Paul’s conviction that God is able to guard that with which He has been trusted is clear. This conforms with Romans 8:28. Thus all four Scripture references are utilised. Expressing Ephesians 1:3-6 in Jimmet form was fun!

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 14 Aug. 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	JIMMETS – COVENANT GIFT
A couple of days ago we looked at an occasion early in David’s reign. At that time he had wanted to build a “house” for God. The Temple that would be built by his son Solomon. David was told by the Lord, through His prophet, he was not permitted do this. He was a man of war with blood on his hands. The temple would be built by his son, who would be a man of peace. However, he was informed that God would build him a house! A throne on which his descendants would always sit. David’s reaction was that he felt completely overwhelmed. It’s worth pointing out, God would build this line. He would be the One who would design and supervise the building of David’s “house”. In a way, David would emulate, what God had promised to do. He became the architect of the Temple and went about accumulating materials for the task. He also made provision, so that on his death, all his personal wealth would be donated to the building of the temple. In this respect, although Solomon built the temple, it was based on his father’s provision. Perhaps we should refer to the Temple as “David’s Temple” rather than “Solomon’s Temple”. We don’t do that for good reasons. But we do remember Sir Christopher Wren as the architect of St Paul’s Cathedral in London. Does anyone know who the builder was? In today’s first Scripture, we move in time to the end of David’s reign. By now, he was an old man. In spite of this, we notice, he had not forgotten God’s everlasting covenant with him. It’s interesting to read how confident David was that God would do this. The New Living Translation expresses his confidence in God’s undertaking to him and his family: 5 "Is it not my family God has chosen? Yes, He has made an everlasting covenant with me. His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail. He will ensure my safety and success. 2 Samuel 23:5 NLT David’s attitude sheds additional light on the assurance Paul describes in Romans 8: 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT  David had no idea that it would be some 1000 years before Jesus would be come. During the interim, David’s line had almost disappeared. But it could be traced back through his mother’s antecedents as well as His stepfather’s antecedents. Here was the fulfilment of God’s promise to David; the everlasting King of Kings! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			25 "Is it not my family God has chosen? Yes, He has made an everlasting covenant with me. His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail. He will ensure my safety and success. 2 Samuel 23:5 NLT	EVERLASTING COVENANT An everlasting covenant was cut; That David would forever have a son, Who sat upon the throne; no ifs or buts; Until creation’s time on earth was done. I wonder if He really understood, How God would bring this promise into fact? He realised that God, the Father, would Keep His Word and was obliged to act; The way He had declared to him that day. Who else but God had the ability, To bring about the things he heard God say, And keep it going for eternity? But there was one thing David knew for sure. God’s promises forever would endure. Jim Strickland Written 14th August 2012 HIS FREE GIFT Praise be unto the Father of our Lord; Who blessed us in the heavenly realms above. All Spiritual blessings He has poured, On us, through Jesus Christ, the King of Love. In Him. He chose us in the “days” before, He started to create the things we see. Predestined our adoption to be more, Than creatures who are lost eternally. This was according to His Sovereign will; The Sons of God; Not merely men of mud. And by His grace, decided He would spill Christ Jesus’ own and very precious blood! O what a plan! To take our punishment! The very reason why His Son was sent! Jim Strickland Written 14 August 2012
			12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 2 Timothy 1:12 TNIV
			3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:3-6 TNIV
			27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:27-30 TNIV