Reading
SAA Notes
Ephraim was the premier Tribe in the northern kingdom of Israel, as opposed to Judah, where David’s descendants reigned. God holds Israel responsible for their religion and life-styles. Judgment is tempered with mercy for those willing to return to the Lord.
SJA Notes
* Gracious Heavenly Father, please show us what You want us to know today.
“I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.”
There is so much of the gospel, the good news of Jesus, showing here in this passage.
Hundreds of years before Jesus, we see Him in Hosea’s words!
How did God heal His people? How was His anger turned from them?
It’s Jesus!
“I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting?”
How did God ransom and redeem us from the power of death? How did He quench the sting of Sheol?
It’s Jesus!
Paul has this passage directly in mind in 1 Corinthians 15 where he says,
“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We are saved through Jesus. Him alone.
* Lord God,
Please fix within us a right spirit, a heart remade after Your own heart.
Thank You that in Jesus we no longer fear death, it has no power over us.
Thank You that in Jesus we see YOUR HELP for us.
Hallelujah, what a loving Father God You are!
Amen.