Butterfly of Hope
Greetings in the Lord!
Today's word is from Hosea chapters 12-14. These chapters again address the distinction the Lord makes between an "Ephraim/Israel/Samaria" mindset and a "Jacob/Judah/Jerusalem" mindset in this country. The Lord has for several years now been giving me that example to define and illustrate the separation process that has been happening in America through His eyes. Those of the "Northern Kingdom" are worldly and idolatrous, rebelling against God and His statutes and pushing a worldly agenda for this nation contrary to the will of God. On the other hand, there are many of the Judah tribe, who are wanting to hold fast to God and His ways and are the ones fighting to remain a people called and separate unto God. But as we know and chapter 12 of Hosea reminds us, Ephraim and Judah alike both were needing to return to the Lord. While Ephraim ran headlong into rebelling against God and seeking earthly fortunes, Jacob too had been unfaithful and deceptive in his ways.
Ephraim was also guilty of making "making a treaty with Assyria and sending olive oil to Egypt." In other words, it pursued a foreign policy that made friends and appeased their enemies instead of trusting in and adhering to the will of God which demanded that they not become like the nations surrounding them, adopting their ways and agendas and serving their gods. The word of the Lord tells us today that there is a "Samaria" mindset in our White House; one that looks to appease and compromise with our enemies and will bring sure judgment and trouble to this nation. The chapter is also clearly makes the distinction that the troubles and hardship "Jacob" endures actually works to bring him a wife, prosperity, and maturity in his walk with the Lord as he returns with humble heart back to his God.
Chapters 13 and 14 address Ephraim alone, as the Lord tells of their stubborn adherence to their own plans and corrupt ways and the trouble that it brings to them. Despite many warnings from His anointed servants, Ephraim rejects the counsel of the Lord and His prophetic voices. Likewise, we can understand that the "Samaria" mindset in our White House does not give heed to the wise counsel of the Lord readily available to them, but rather goes his own way. I believe that this is a major diversion from the general tradition of our previous Presidents--whether they be Democrat or Republican.
"I cared for you in the desert, in the land of burning heat. When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot Me. So I will come upon them like a lion, like a leopard I will lurk by the path....Like a lion I will devour them; a wild animal will tear them apart....Where is your king, that he may save you? Where are your rulers in all your towns, of whom you said, 'Give me a king and princes'? So in My anger I gave you a king, and in My wrath I took him away...Pains as of a woman in childbirth come to him, but he is a child without wisdom; when the time arrives, he does not come to the opening of the womb."
Hosea 13:5-8, 10-11, 13.
Yes, our country did ask for a leader, a savior more like, to rescue us and take us from the struggle we found ourselves in with the nations, not knowing that the struggle was like that of a moth in a cocoon--God had a plan for us to be the butterfly of hope to the world but we resented the struggle. The promises made by the people-elected king will not come to pass--he will not give birth to the rhetoric that intoxicated his thirsty listeners. Instead they will wake up with a hangover and still have to deal with the struggle. But good news! The words of chapter 14 goes on to tell us that the Lord will respond to repentance with blessings. It is His way to allow the wicked to go on being wicked until they reap the fruit of their actions and in their suffering come back to the Lord on bended knee.
"Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall! Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him: 'Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria cannot save us;...We will never again say "Our gods" to what our own hands have made, for in You the fatherless find compassion."
"I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for My anger has turned away from them....I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness come from Me." Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them." Hosea 14:1-4, 8b-9.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
Today's word is from Hosea chapters 12-14. These chapters again address the distinction the Lord makes between an "Ephraim/Israel/Samaria" mindset and a "Jacob/Judah/Jerusalem" mindset in this country. The Lord has for several years now been giving me that example to define and illustrate the separation process that has been happening in America through His eyes. Those of the "Northern Kingdom" are worldly and idolatrous, rebelling against God and His statutes and pushing a worldly agenda for this nation contrary to the will of God. On the other hand, there are many of the Judah tribe, who are wanting to hold fast to God and His ways and are the ones fighting to remain a people called and separate unto God. But as we know and chapter 12 of Hosea reminds us, Ephraim and Judah alike both were needing to return to the Lord. While Ephraim ran headlong into rebelling against God and seeking earthly fortunes, Jacob too had been unfaithful and deceptive in his ways.
Ephraim was also guilty of making "making a treaty with Assyria and sending olive oil to Egypt." In other words, it pursued a foreign policy that made friends and appeased their enemies instead of trusting in and adhering to the will of God which demanded that they not become like the nations surrounding them, adopting their ways and agendas and serving their gods. The word of the Lord tells us today that there is a "Samaria" mindset in our White House; one that looks to appease and compromise with our enemies and will bring sure judgment and trouble to this nation. The chapter is also clearly makes the distinction that the troubles and hardship "Jacob" endures actually works to bring him a wife, prosperity, and maturity in his walk with the Lord as he returns with humble heart back to his God.
Chapters 13 and 14 address Ephraim alone, as the Lord tells of their stubborn adherence to their own plans and corrupt ways and the trouble that it brings to them. Despite many warnings from His anointed servants, Ephraim rejects the counsel of the Lord and His prophetic voices. Likewise, we can understand that the "Samaria" mindset in our White House does not give heed to the wise counsel of the Lord readily available to them, but rather goes his own way. I believe that this is a major diversion from the general tradition of our previous Presidents--whether they be Democrat or Republican.
"I cared for you in the desert, in the land of burning heat. When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot Me. So I will come upon them like a lion, like a leopard I will lurk by the path....Like a lion I will devour them; a wild animal will tear them apart....Where is your king, that he may save you? Where are your rulers in all your towns, of whom you said, 'Give me a king and princes'? So in My anger I gave you a king, and in My wrath I took him away...Pains as of a woman in childbirth come to him, but he is a child without wisdom; when the time arrives, he does not come to the opening of the womb."
Hosea 13:5-8, 10-11, 13.
Yes, our country did ask for a leader, a savior more like, to rescue us and take us from the struggle we found ourselves in with the nations, not knowing that the struggle was like that of a moth in a cocoon--God had a plan for us to be the butterfly of hope to the world but we resented the struggle. The promises made by the people-elected king will not come to pass--he will not give birth to the rhetoric that intoxicated his thirsty listeners. Instead they will wake up with a hangover and still have to deal with the struggle. But good news! The words of chapter 14 goes on to tell us that the Lord will respond to repentance with blessings. It is His way to allow the wicked to go on being wicked until they reap the fruit of their actions and in their suffering come back to the Lord on bended knee.
"Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall! Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him: 'Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria cannot save us;...We will never again say "Our gods" to what our own hands have made, for in You the fatherless find compassion."
"I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for My anger has turned away from them....I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness come from Me." Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them." Hosea 14:1-4, 8b-9.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
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