05-Feb-2024 – Do you have heart to return to God?
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early – Hosea 5:15
Here in this passage God talks to Ephraim through the prophet. Here Ephraim represents the Israelites tribes other than Judah and Benjamin. In this chapter God lists his accusations on these people. He summarizes the nature of these people with the character of a whore.
A husband is expected to take care of the requirements of his wife and children. And the wife is expected to depend on her husband for any of her requirement. When the husband is available, if the wife is depending on someone else for the day-to-day needs, that is whoredom. God uses this word in this context not in the context of sexual immorality.
The people of Israel are mingling with the worldly practices and defiled themselves with the ways of the people around them. God specifically told them to keep themselves away from the practices of the people around them, to maintain the holiness according to the command of the God.
But the people of Israel started taking help from other kings and started practicing the religious activities like the gentiles in terms of offerings to their gods. Because of this God’s wrath was kindled and he made himself away from them. Because of that the people of Israel started experiencing troubles and difficulties. They could understand they are in trouble but still looking forward to people around them instead of their God.
In that context God is saying that he will hide himself until they turn their hearts and seek God. God did not want to leave them to their fate, but wanted to give them chance to come back. At this point, the people of Israel were stubborn and foolish not understanding the heart of God.
During significant events such as marriages, buying a house, starting a business, managing our careers, or navigating relationships, we tend to act independently of God. Instead of seeking His guidance, we may turn to ungodly counsel or even resort to bribery to secure favors, mirroring the practices of those around us. God hates these things. He is living and loving God. He only wants to lead us in the righteous paths and prosperous paths. If a path is meant to be opened through someone, God will orchestrate it; there is no need for us to pursue it on our own.
Today, as part of the “Do you have” theme, God poses a question: Do you possess the heart to return to Him, even if you’ve traveled far away? Or will you succumb to guilt and stubbornness? Today, God calls upon you to return and embark on the journey anew.
Prayer
Dear loving heavenly Father, thank you for your love and patience. You always wanted to lead us in the right paths for our prosperity and well being. But without knowing this, we search for worldly help that too ungodly help. Forgive us Lord, help us to depend on you for anything even it is small. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
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