THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET
HOSEA
CHAPTER
11
1. When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols.
(Book of Prophets Hosea Chapter 11 verses 1 to 2)
Oh God, my Father You love us so much, however as humans we do not always show our gratitude to You. As in the case of disobedient children, the more You love us and care for us, the more we turn away and disobey Your will. When will we humble our hearts and obey You and accept You as our loving Father oh God!
I pray for this generation and those to come that they learn from the mistakes that we are making both as individuals and even as a nation Amen.
3. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. 4. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.
(Book of Prophets Hosea Chapter 11 verses 3 to 4)
Oh God as in all parents You are lamenting over those moments when we were still young and faithful to You. You led us with love and alot of care, however when we grow up we behave like teenagers who are seeking their independence and try to do things according to our ways instead of Your. Amen.
5. They Shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.
(Book of Prophets Hosea Chapter 11 verse 5)
On deciding to act according to our ways, and not even stop to consider Your ways, oh God my Father we end up in a state of Egypt, exile or bondage that may lead to a critical situation. Our vices and even idols, agendas or work, shall become our kings that dominate our lives and cause us to live a life below the level of dignity that You oh God have planned for us. We become slaves of our career, ambitions and drives, although You created us to be masters over what we created and not conditioned by it. God puts on our cloak and sandals, and we decide to undress and walk barefoot.
6. The sword rages in their cities, it consumes their oracle-priests, and devours because of their schemes, 7. My people are bent on turning away from me. To the Most High they call, but he does not raise them up at all.
(Book of Prophets Hosea Chapter 11 verses 6 to 7)
Oh God my Father, the sword may symbolize death which may be referring to the spiritual death, however when we are in a state of sin, we are both spiritually and physically dead, for sin leaves no space for life in us only existence.
8. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.
(Book of Prophet Hosea Chapter 11 verse 8)
Oh God You love me so much, this is why You cannot stop loving me and the world even though at times we make You angry by doing actions that You do not like. I thank You for never ceasing to love us my God and Father. Amen.
9. I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.
(Book of Prophets Hosea Chapter 11 verse 9)
Many times oh God we have been tempted to become angry and pass judgement on each other, parents on children, children versus younger children, citizens versus people in important occupations, however, oh God my Father, You teach us to control ourselves and act out of love and the Spirit of God who dwells in us instead of out of the flesh.
10. They shall go after the LORD who roars like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west. 11. They shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria; and I will return them to their homes, says the LORD.
(Book of Prophets Hosea Chapter 11 verses 10 to 11)
Oh God my Father, when we hear Your name we will come trembling to You in love, fear and humility from all the regions of the earth, for nobody can ever resist Your voice or remain the same after having heard it as I did. Your voice is strong and loving. I will never forget the hour when I heard Your voice and spoke to me and told me to leave all my ways and belongings to follow You my God. I really trembled and was on the verge of a heart attack but I was filled with both fear and happiness. God bless You my God. How I long for another mountain - top experience where I will directly hear Your voice again. amen.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-
Oh God my Father how can I ever stop loving You and praising Your name. However even though I am still a sinner I can never love You as much as You love me. You have been caring for me and making plans for me even before I ever existed. I thank You from my heart for being such a caring and loving Father. I pray for Your love care and understanding even though at times I go against Your will for I am still a human amen.
3. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. 4. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.
(Book of Prophets Hosea Chapter 11 verses 3 to 4)
Oh God as in all parents You are lamenting over those moments when we were still young and faithful to You. You led us with love and alot of care, however when we grow up we behave like teenagers who are seeking their independence and try to do things according to our ways instead of Your. Amen.
5. They Shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.
(Book of Prophets Hosea Chapter 11 verse 5)
On deciding to act according to our ways, and not even stop to consider Your ways, oh God my Father we end up in a state of Egypt, exile or bondage that may lead to a critical situation. Our vices and even idols, agendas or work, shall become our kings that dominate our lives and cause us to live a life below the level of dignity that You oh God have planned for us. We become slaves of our career, ambitions and drives, although You created us to be masters over what we created and not conditioned by it. God puts on our cloak and sandals, and we decide to undress and walk barefoot.
6. The sword rages in their cities, it consumes their oracle-priests, and devours because of their schemes, 7. My people are bent on turning away from me. To the Most High they call, but he does not raise them up at all.
(Book of Prophets Hosea Chapter 11 verses 6 to 7)
Oh God my Father, the sword may symbolize death which may be referring to the spiritual death, however when we are in a state of sin, we are both spiritually and physically dead, for sin leaves no space for life in us only existence.
8. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.
(Book of Prophet Hosea Chapter 11 verse 8)
Oh God You love me so much, this is why You cannot stop loving me and the world even though at times we make You angry by doing actions that You do not like. I thank You for never ceasing to love us my God and Father. Amen.
9. I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.
(Book of Prophets Hosea Chapter 11 verse 9)
Many times oh God we have been tempted to become angry and pass judgement on each other, parents on children, children versus younger children, citizens versus people in important occupations, however, oh God my Father, You teach us to control ourselves and act out of love and the Spirit of God who dwells in us instead of out of the flesh.
10. They shall go after the LORD who roars like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west. 11. They shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria; and I will return them to their homes, says the LORD.
(Book of Prophets Hosea Chapter 11 verses 10 to 11)
Oh God my Father, when we hear Your name we will come trembling to You in love, fear and humility from all the regions of the earth, for nobody can ever resist Your voice or remain the same after having heard it as I did. Your voice is strong and loving. I will never forget the hour when I heard Your voice and spoke to me and told me to leave all my ways and belongings to follow You my God. I really trembled and was on the verge of a heart attack but I was filled with both fear and happiness. God bless You my God. How I long for another mountain - top experience where I will directly hear Your voice again. amen.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-
Oh God my Father how can I ever stop loving You and praising Your name. However even though I am still a sinner I can never love You as much as You love me. You have been caring for me and making plans for me even before I ever existed. I thank You from my heart for being such a caring and loving Father. I pray for Your love care and understanding even though at times I go against Your will for I am still a human amen.
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