Reading
SAA Notes
Reap the whirlwind is a Biblical phrase that passed into the English language many centuries ago. Wanderers amongst the nations (9:17) recalls the Gospel perspective – remember James’ description of the Christian Church: the twelve tribes scattered amongst the nations, and Peter’s: God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout …
SJA Notes
* Righteous God, please fix our eyes on You today.
“For it is from Israel; a craftsman made it; it is not God.”
In some ways this is the simplest of truths. So binary.
Israel has rejected THE LORD for man-made idols. Things that are not God.
As in Hosea’s time so in ours.
People go after NOT GOD entities. We hero-worship humans and ideas, ideologies and world-views, demons and devils.
Israel still gave the outward appearance of spiritual life. They made sacrifices.
BUT.
God has a hard word for them, and for us.
He rejects their offerings. He remembers their iniquities.
This is a stark contrast to the blessing of TRUE religion.
In Jeremiah 31 we read,
“For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
There is only GOD.
Everything else in the world; people, structures, creation, ideas, thoughts – everything else is NOT GOD.
* Gracious Father,
Thank You that in Jesus You forgive us, our black mirky sin washed away.
Please help us to tell the good news of Jesus to those around us.
Amen.