The Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2

THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET

JOEL 

CHAPTER 

2

1. Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain!Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming,  it is near- 2. a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come.

(Book of Joel Chapter 2 verses 1 to 2)

Alert! Alert !to all Roman Catholics, Christians and all who believe in God, be aware, strengthen your roots in God, for the end of times may be closer than we may think it is. This terrorist group that is gradually advancing and increasing may mark the beginning of the final nuclear war among the nations that leads to the final war between the angels of God and the angels of the forces of evil, which then leads to God's restoration of both the heavens and the earth. Therefore, be prepared oh brothers and sisters be prepared, for we do not know the day or the hour!




3. Fire devours in front of them, and behind them, a flame burns. Before them is like the garden of Eden, but after them, a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them.


(Book of Joel Chapter 2 verse 3)




Oh God many times we are like your people. We are faced with the harsh dilemma of either choosing heaven and proceed towards it or look back and turn to the fires of death! The question is ours to make. Oh God may we all be worthy of choosing Heaven over hell Amen.




4. They have the appearance of horses, and like war-horses they charge. 5. As with the rumbling of chariots, they leap on the tops of the mountains, like the crackling of a flame of fire devouring the stubble, like a powerful army drawn up for battle.


(Book of Joel Chapter 2 verses 4 to 5)



Oh God, our greatest enemy is our own self, which may take many different forms, ranging from our personal self to our social and intimate self. In truth we try to act as whole persons, but in reality, we behave differently in different settings, when exposed to different situations which may be both positive and negative, however only You oh God knows fully our real selves, we may on analyzing ourselves we may only realize a glimpse of our immense totality as human beings. Oh God may You continue to reveal ourselves to us every day of our lives so that by means of this awareness we will continue to claim victories against our greatest enemy, who at times can also appear to be our friend and in fact at  particular times is.



6. Before them peoples are in anguish, all faces grow pale. 7. Like warriors they charge, like soldiers they scale the wall. Each keeps to its own course, they do not swerve from their paths.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2 verses 6 to 7)




If humans oh God my Father are so scared of humans, what about their fear of You who is much more powerful and mighty than the forces of the world. As believers in You, we are also part of Your army. As in the case of the Assyrians whom, the prophet Joel, may be referring to, we are also to be steady when following You my God and Father. We are not to swerve in our faith according to the circumstances of our lives and follow You only when the going is good.




8. They do not jostle one another, each keeps to its own track; they burst through the weapons and are not halted. 9. They leap upon the city, they run upon the walls; they climb up into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2 verses 8 to 9)


Oh God, You are also able to break all the barriers that we may ever encounter that keep us apart from You. You are always victorious and forever glorious, Amen.




10. The earth quakes before them, the heavens tremble. The sun and moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. 11. The LORD utters his voice at the head of his army; how vast is his host! Numberless are those who obey his command. Truly the day of the LORD is great; terrible indeed-who can endure it?


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2 verses 10 to 11)


Indeed oh God my Father there is none like You. I f the forces of evil are great Yours are greater and more powerful both in quality and in quantity. Nobody can withstand Your power and Your mercy, love and grace. You showed Your power to the Egyptians and to the inhabitants of Canaan, and You are able to show the same qualities in everybody's situation, no matter how difficult or life-threatening it may seem to be.




In order to sustain our faith and hope and courage in You my, God I invite all to click on the following link:-



There is non like You my God




12, Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13. rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, Your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2 verses 12 to 13)




Oh God, my Father I thank You for being so patient with me, for although I sincerely love You, but not more than You love me! You still bear with my shortcomings, for I have yet much to grow in my relationship with You. You still have not the first place in my life and that is a shame on me, for You are to have that special place and it can be shared with nothing and nobody. Amen




14. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD, your God?



(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2 verse 14)



Oh God although You call on us to repent from our ways it is ultimately our decision, however, whatever we choose we will reap the consequences of our decisions whether they be good or bad. Amen.




15. Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; 16. gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast, Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy.


(Book of Small Prophets Chapter 2 verses 15 to 16)


Oh my, God and Father, salvation is for all children and adults, therefore, let us all keep on teaching our children the message of the 'Good News' so that its message will keep on burning in their hearts and mind forever Amen. Let us all repent from our ways and celebrate our return back to the outstretched arms of our heavenly father who died in order to welcome us back home!




17. Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep. Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples 'Where is their God?"


(Book of Small Prophets Chapter 2 verse 17)


Oh God my Father when the 'Twin Towers' terrorist attack took place there were some who asked the same question, "Where was God?", however in both cases, You were told to get lost and so You humbly departed from the situation however in the background God always remains at work even though by means of our negative actions we go against His will. Amen.




18. Then the LORD became jealous for his land and had pity on his people.


(Book of Small Prophets Chapter 2 verse 18)




Oh God my Father, You love Your creation so much that You are jealous for its praise and worship, that is rightfully due to You and not to itself or to other humans. On the other hand, You are aware of what we are made of and You show Your sympathy and mercy on our fallen sinful state. I greatly thank You for putting up with my weak nature. Every second of my life I pray for Your Divine Mercy. Amen. Let us all join in this prayer to the 'Divine Mercy of God' by clicking on the following link:-



Prayer for Divine Mercy




19. In response to his people the LORD said; I am sending you grain, wine and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a mockery among the nations.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2 verse 19)


Oh God my Father, You are aware of our human condition that is limited by sin and the tendency t obe proud and selfish. Instead of punishing us with the same negative ways that we punish others, You bear with us and repay us with kindness instead of with fury and anger, even though at times for our own good at times You permit us to experience tribulations so that we grow in both mind body and spirit. Amen.




20. I will remove the northern army far from you, and drive it into a parched and desolate land, its front into the eastern sea, and its rear into the western sea: its stench and foul smell will rise up. Surely he has done great things!


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2 verse 20)


Oh God, You are my fortress and my salvation, You are able to remove all the negative situations in our lives as if they were not even there in the first place, and turn the same situation into a positive one. You are able to take away the deadly venom from the fangs of the cobra and make it Your servant. Amen. Oh, how I wish oh God my Father that we all place our faith in You without any shred of doubt or reason to be afraid Amen.




21. Do not fear, O soil; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things! 22. Do not fear, you animals of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit, the fig tree and vine give their full yield.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2 verses 21 to 22)


Oh God my Father You are the Saviour of the whole world, meaning both humans and creatures. You are the God of all. When the time is right oh God You will lead us out of our Exodus or moments of crisis, however, I pray that You make us aware of the signs so that we can clearly follow them Amen.  



23. O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the LORD your God; for he gas given the early rain for your vindication, he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the later rain, as before.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2 verse 23)



Oh God my Father climate change global warming, or changing of the seasons, all the theories are insufficient for You are in control of the seasons, and all is under Your control even though humans meddle in the course of nature You have the final say. You have the ability to make the rain fall abundantly even before its ascribed time, and You also have the power to close the heavens and stop the rain from falling at all. Amen blessed be the Lord my God and Father.




24. The threshing floors shall be full of grain, the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. 25. I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent against you. 26. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2 verses 24 to 26)


Oh God my Father, I thank You for not holding my sins against me. I also thank You for not denying me of Your abundance of providence as a consequence of my sins, but You repay me with love providence and kindness even though I do not deserve it Amen.




27. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the LORD, am your God and there is no other. And my people shall never again be put to shame.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2 verse 27)


Oh God my Father, even though You permit us to endure trials and tribulations that at times take a long time to pass and are the cause of much, grievance, You are always with us and therefore we are never alone. Amen. Oh God, my Father I thank You for always being by my side Amen.




28. Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 29. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2 verses 28 to 29)


Oh God my Father as much as You promise to pour Your Holy Spirit on Your people, I pray that You do the same even during our times, for we need You now more than ever before. I pray for a new boost of faith, that we all praise You and experience Your presence Amen.




30. I will show portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2 verses 30 to 31)


Oh my God, what a day it will be when You come again. I only hope that You will find the world worthy including my, self to be ready to be accepted to enter into our heavenly home, for even today I feel that I am not yet ready, for I am still persecuted by my sinful self Amen.




32. Then everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.




(Books of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 2 verse 32)




Oh God my Father unlike us humans You are so merciful and kind that even up to the last moment in time of existence on earth, You give us the opportunity to be saved without doing no extraordinary acts but to turn and call on You. This is what I call extreme generosity and love Amen.




Oh God my Father I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-




Oh God, You are so merciful, You are the only source of my love and my life and therefore, I cannot live without you. I thank You for bearing with my transgression and more for loving and forgiving me. I thank You for giving me one chance after another and for never giving up on me. Even if the world gives up on me, You remain faithful to the very end. Thank You, God. Love You God. Amen

The Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 1

 

 

THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET

JOEL 

CHAPTER 

1

1. The word of the LORD that came to Joel son of Pethuel: 2. Hear this O elders, give ear, all inhabitants of the land! Has such a thing happened in your days, or in the days of your ancestors? 3.  Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.

(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 1 verses 1 to 3)

Oh Roman Catholics and all Christians of whatever church you are it is now time to tell our sons and daughters about all the good works that God our father ha graciously done on our behalf, about those peak moments of faith and even little ones that have taken place during our daily life so that they may believe more in You than in the ways of the world! 

The world is preaching its own message of bad news, the earth is getting warmer, the ice caps of Alaska are gradually melting, the level of the sea in certain places is rising, the course of the seasons are in chaos, in summer we are experiencing weather of winter and in winter we will experience summer. However although the world proclaims bad news only You oh God proclaims the 'Good News' that our salvation may be closer than we think it is. Your second visit may be closer than we ever thought it was. Therefore we are to be prepared and ready for we do not know the exact date and hour. Amen.



4. What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten. What the swarming locust left, the hopping locust has eaten, and what the hopping locust left, the destroying locust has eaten.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 1 verse 4)



Oh God my Father when we open ourselves to the negative world of vices and sins or compulsions and addictions, we end up being harassed by not one but many. We end up as if in a spider's web and there takes place a chain reaction, where one vice leads to another. For instance, our compulsion for alcohol or drugs leads to a life of crime, which as a consequence places the family in debt and breakdown especially if the person ends up in prison.  A friendship at work, may end up in an affair after work and a compulsion may end up in a mental disorder. I therefore, pray that when You make us aware of a pattern that is being created You give us the courage to put an end to it.



5. Wake up, you drunkards, and weep; and wail, all you wine-drinkers, over the sweet wine, for it is cut off from your mouth.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 1 verse 5)



Oh God You are also telling us to wake up and become aware of ourselves. Wake up from our mortal sins and even from those which are not. Be free and masters over yourselves before you become dominated and slaves of your emotions and physical urges or compulsions or anger. Amen


6. For a nation has invaded my land, powerful and innumerable; its teeth are lion's teeth, and it has the fangs of a lioness. 7. It has laid waste my vines, and splintered my fig trees; it has stripped off their bark and thrown it down; their branches have turned white.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 1 verses 6 to 7)


Oh God my Father our enemy also has sharp teeth like the lioness. The evil one knows where to attack us and even when. He knows our weak spots of vulnerability and stops at nothing to attack us. However such an enemy is still under Your control my God and Father. Apart from this enemy we have our natural sinful self, that also causes us much damage because our brain conditions  our actions rendering us vulnerable to do actions that are against Your will.



Oh God I give You full control of my life,  my thoughts feelings and even carnal desires that at times are lustful and negative. I also give You  my anger that at times gets the better of me.



8. Lament like a virgin dressed in sackcloth for the husband of her youth.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 1 verse 8)



Oh God my Father even during our times You are calling us to turn back from our sinful ways and make a sincere act of repentance of our sins, so that we can have fellowship and fun in each others presence. God You would like a second chance to strike a relationship with us.



9. The grain offering and the drink offering are cut off from the house of the LORD. The priests mourn, the ministers of the LORD. 10. The fields are devastated, the ground mourns for the grain is destroyed, the wine dries up, the oil fails.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 1 verses 9 to 10)


Oh God my Father as in the case of Israel Your people there is also a great thirst among Your people. There exists among some of us a state of depression and emptiness, for we are not in a relationship with You but with the ways of the world. We are using unhealthy methods to reap and sow our crops and rear our livestock that the output meaning the produce is no longer healthy to consume. I pray oh God for a renewal in Spirit and social awareness so that we will turn back to you and Your ways, for we are living in an utter state of alienation and even sin. Amen.


11. Be dismayed, you farmers, wail, you vinedressers, over the wheat and the barley; for the crops of the field are ruined. 12. The vine withers, and the fig tree droops. Pomegranate, palm and apple all the trees of the field are dried up; surely, joy withers away among the people.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 1 verses 11 to 12)


Oh God my Father when we have decided to live our own lives that goes beyond what You planned for us, we gradually become morally and spiritually thirsty. We start sinking so deep into our sins, that we may become a social issue both for our selves and even for others. I pray ih God that You keep on blessing us with the power of the Holy Spirit that like a healthy plan or crop we will keep on blooming in Your presence Amen.


13. Put on sackcloth and lament, you priests; wail, you ministers of the altar. Come, pass the night in sackcloth, you ministers of my God! Grain offering and drink offering are witheld from the house of your God.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 1 verse 13)



Oh God my Father as humans we can either be a positive instrument or a negative instrument both as laity and even as priests, who can become corrupt and lax in their practices as much as anybody else. Oh God I pray for all priests and consecrated people who have alot of pressure on them to live what they preach for if Your representatives become corrupt we will also be at risk of becoming likewise. We may also be tempted not to follow their good examples but focus only on the negative ones, such as abuse, corruption, homosexuality among others, which is really not fair my God, because all humans are prone to such frailties!


14. Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 1 verse 14)


Oh God You are calling us to take our relationship with You seriously. It is time for us to stop reflect in a spirit of solitude and even offer this time as a fast to You so that we will pray to You to help us make the necessary changes in our lives in order for us to turn back from our ways and lead a life according to Your will.


15. Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel chapter 1 verse 15)


Alas I also say that for those of us, including myself if we decide to act according to our ways instead of Yours my God and Father the last days will be days of terror, however if we are found living according to Your will the last day will not be so terrifying but days of joy for after this long sojourn on earth we will meet our heavenly father and what a day that will be! Amen.


16. Is not the food cut off before our eyes, joy and gladness from the house of our God? 17. The seed shrivels under the clods, the storehouses are desolate; the granaries are ruined because the grain has failed. 18. How the animals groan! The herds of cattle wander about because there is no pasture for them; even the flocks of sheep are dazed.


(Book of Small Prophets Chapter 1 verses 16 to 18)



Oh God my Father when I wander away from You I end up living a life that has no meaning. Nothing seems to matter any more, my job, my family, my duties to You. I would be in a state of depression as in the case of Your people. However if I rely on the granaries of the world, one day they will become empty, but if I rely on Your granaries of faith hope, and love, I will never feel lonely, depressed or dismayed, for You are my only source of empowerment and courage Amen.


19. To you, O LORD, I cry. For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, flames  have burned all the trees of the field. 20. Even the wild animals cry to you because the watercourses are dried up, and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.


(Book of Small Prophets Joel Chapter 1 verses 19 to 20)


To You I also turn my God and Father, for apart from You I have nobody to turn to. You love me more than anyone has ever loved me before. Even when I did not show my love to You, and literally fires of sin burnt my real self, You still did not give up on me and decide to let me perish or follow my own wishes and desires.


Oh God my Father I would like to offer You the following prayer:-


Oh God my Father many times by means of Your Gospel and by means of Your mother's messages for us that she gives us every day at Medugorie You always call on us to repent from our sins and sincerely turn back to You. I thank You for being loving and patient oh God for even though we turn against You, You still remain faithful to us Amen. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

The Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 13

THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET

HOSEA 

CHAPTER 

13

1. When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel; but he incurred guilt through Baal and died. 2. And now they keep on sinning and make a cast image for themselves, idols of silver made according to their understanding, all of them the work of artisans. "Sacrifice to these," they say. People are kissing calves!

(Book of Hosea Chapter 13 verses 1 to 2)

Oh God my Father, with a heavy heart, I say that when Ephraim spoke your people trembled, however when You speak during our times it is as if nobody has spoken or intervened. Everybody is doubting everyone's credibility. Courts are becoming corrupted, our foodstuffs are becoming corrupted, off the counter purchases such as goods are being bought for a heavy price and ending up faulty. We are living in an insecure world, where war or signs of war are looming even though we are not admitting it.  People are adoring other people as in the kissing of calves. Some of us are adoring mistresses and their shoes or feet and are even kissing their high heels in so-called 'worship'. We are giving worship to the wrong god, which can never heal us or love us or offer us salvation. I pray oh God that You give the world a big shaking so that we will turn back to You Amen.



3. Therefore they shall be like the morning mist or like the dew that goes away early, like chaff that swirls from the threshing floor or like smoke from a window.


(Book of Hosea Chapter 13 verse 3)



Oh God indeed without You we are like the wind, light empty without weight as in the imagery used of smoke or dew that has no roots and evaporates when the sun starts shining. Therefore Oh God we need to be like the tree and have strong roots that are deeply planted in You or fertile soil and bedrock Amen.


4. Yet I have been the LORD your God ever since the land of Egpyt; you know no God but me, and besides me, there is no savior. 5. It was I who fed you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.


(Book of Hosea Chapter 13 verses 4 and 5)


Oh God and Father I am indebted to You, for You have been caring and loving me since the day I was born. If it had not been for You and Your love for me, I would not have had endured the previous and even the present tribulations. I owe You infinite praise and worship oh God. Amen and a great Thank You and Love You!



6. When I fed them, they were satisfied; they were satisfied, and their heart was proud; therefore they forgot me.


(Book of Hosea Chapter 13 verse 6)


Oh God how selfish we can be, we are only satisfied when You cater for our needs, but when you do not we go against You which is very unfair. Forgive us oh God, for we are all guilty of such a sin . Amen



7. So I will become like a lion to them, like a leopard I will lurk beside the way. 8. I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs, and will tear open the covering of their heart; there I will devour them like a lion, as a wild animal would mangle them.


(Book of Hosea  Chapter 13 verses 7 to 8)


Oh God my Father I understand that we make You angry so much that You would feel like destroying us from the face of the earth, however I also understand how much You love us, more than any other person in the world. As a parent at times I also become angry with my eight-year-old daughter, however, when I calm down I realize that she simply does not yet have the skill to behave better. As humans, we are conditioned by our sinful nature. Even though we aim to live according to Your ways, goodness is not natural in us.



9. I will destroy you, O Israel; who can help you? 10. Where now is your king, that he may save you? Where in all your cities are your rulers, of whom you said, "Give me a king and rulers"? 11. I gave you a king in my anger, and I took him away in my wrath.


(Book of Hosea  Chapter 13 verses 9 to 11)


Oh God without You we are dead meat unprotected and open to the attacks of the evil one, who seeks our destruction. Although we try and seek others as our rulers maybe idols or politics or philosophy  and reasoning to give a sense of order to our lives without Your help we are lost.



12. Ephraim's iniquity is bound up;  his sin is kept in store. 13. The pangs of chilbirth come for him, but he is an unwise son; for at the proper time he does not present himself at the mouth of the womb.


(Book of Hosea Chapter 13 verses 12 to 13)


Oh God as humans we are born in sin and without Your help we are not able to do acts of goodness not even basic things such as exiting the womb at the time of birth for some of us even miss the delivery date. Even though we consider ourselves as being wise according to the standards of the world when comparing our wisdom to Yours it is ignorance.



14. Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your destruction? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.


(Book of Hosea Chapter 13 verse 14)




Oh God what more can You do for us, You have spared us from our merited punishment many times, and also delivered us from moments of tribulation? Although You love us so much we still have to experience situations such as death for it is by means of the physical death that we can be born again in Your presence. Oh God You did not spare Your only Son who was and is pure and innocent from from death let alone ourselves. Thank You Jesus. Amen


15. Although he may flourish among rushes, the east wind shall come, a blast from the LORD, rising from the wilderness; and his fountain shall dry up, his spring shall be parched. It shall strip his treasury of every precious thing.


(Book of Hosea Chapter 13 verse 15)


Oh God even though we may advance in our career, if this same career takes us away from You, in the same way that it had started it will come to an end.



16. Samaria shall bear her guilt, because she has rebelled against her God; they shall fall by the sword, their little ones shall be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.


(Book of Hosea Chapter 13 verse 16)



Oh God my Father in truth Your sons and daughters were dashed to pieces. The suicide bombs that exploded in Brussels claimed the lives and injured many people. I would like to end this chapter with a prayer for the souls of the victims involved in this heartbreaking episode.



Oh God I pray for mercy on the souls of our brothers and sisters in Brussels, Paris and many other countries who experienced an untimely death. Some have even been raped and slaughtered because they believe in You. Have mercy oh God on both the victims and even the killers for due to their mindset, the Devil has taken control of their brains and has set them against the rest of the world. Forgive them oh God for they do not know what they are doing as in the case of Your crucifixion where You also forgave those who trespassed against You.  If there is anybody who is worthy of throwing the stone and condemning these people it is You and even You chose to abstain from throwing it. Amen.


I invite you to move on to the next book of the Bible that of the Prophet Joel by clicking on the following link:-

https://bibleanalysisbookssmallprophets.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-book-of-small-prophets-joel-chapter.html

The Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 12

THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET

HOSEA 

CHAPTER 

12

1. Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit but Judah still walks with God, and is faithful to the Holy One.  Ephraim herds the wind, and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a treaty with Assyria and oils is carried to Egypt.

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 12 verse 1)

As in the case of a father who has many children oh God my Father, there are those children who are respectful and obedient to You and Your ways, and there are others who are disobedient and rebellious. I believe oh God that as humans we make part of both groups for we are a mixture of good and bad and at times one takes dominance over the other making us obedient at times and rebellious at other times.



2. The LORD has indictment against Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways, and repay him according to his deeds.


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 12 verse 2)


Oh God even though You love us, You cannot turn a blind eye to our shortcomings. As humans, we are to give an account to You for our good acts and deeds and even for those moments of weakness when our behaviour was not according to Your will. I pray oh God that when we appear before You the balance sways in favour of the positive deeds and not in favour of the negative Amen.



3. In the womb he tried to supplant his brother, and in his manhood he strove with God. 4. He strove with the angel and prevailed, he wept and sought his favor; he met him at Bethel, and there he spoke with him. 5. The LORD the God of hosts, the LORD is his name!


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 12 verses 3 to 5)


Oh God, it is by nature that we are rebellious both towards others and even towards You my loving, God. Our mortal life is a constant battle against our sinful nature until we achieve our main objective in life, that of being united with You forever. Amen



6. But as for you, return to your God, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 12 verse 6)


Oh, wise prophet Hosea Your words are truly inspired by God, for you could not have given us a better piece of advice. It is best to let others go their ways according to the ways of the world, however, we are to stick to the ways of God that are based on love and justice. Moreover, the second piece of good advice is that we are to wait on You my, God who always delivers at the appointed time according to Your diary as planned for our own good. However in the mean time, we are not to be passive but never cease in doing good actions and remaining firm in our life of prayer.

7. A trader, in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress.


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 12 verse 7)


As much as the image of You my God and Father was portrayed in verse 6, the image of the adversary is portrayed in verse 7. Unlike You my God, the evil one is untrue and cunning and his pleasure is that of oppressing us and cause us to commit one sin after another. As humans, we are struggling to strike a balance in our lives in favour of goodness but the oppressive effects of evil are always at work Amen. I pray for Your protection oh God against the forces of evil.



8. Ephraim has said, "Ah, I am rich I have gained wealth for myself; in all of my gain no offense has been found in me that would be sin."


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 12 verse 8)


When faced with our sinful reality especially during moments of crisis, even before You my God we try and seek justification in order to deny our sins. We often use logical reasoning in order to defend ourselves and justify our acts.



9. I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of the appointed festival


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 12 verse 9)


Oh God, You love us so much that You wish to release us from our state of Egypt and give us the liberty and dignity of that of Your sons and daughters and not that of slaves of our sins.



10. I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets I will bring destruction.


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 12 verse 10)


Oh God, I strongly believe that it is You who gives us visions and ideas. You know what is good for us before we ever think of our needs or wants. You inspire us to create inventions for the good of humanity, but not ideas how to destroy each other or even ourselves as in the case of euthanasia or abortion  Amen.



11. In Gilead there is iniquity, they shall surely come to nothing. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, so their altars shall be like stone heaps on the furrows of the field. 12. Jacob fled to the land of Aram, there Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he guarded sheep.


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 12 verses 11 to 12)



During these times, oh God my Father the faith of Your people extinguished like a flame that has consumed all the candle. The acts that, resulted were purely the result of this state of degeneration. During our times meaning 2016, the same process is taking place. Many of us come to Church on Sunday, but when analyzing their behaviour during the service it is evident that some of us either do not know what is going on, why they are attending or even if they still believe in You or not! On the other, hand certain priests are not really believers in You although they celebrate the sacrament of the Eucharist. At the time I was on my way experimenting if I was really called to be a priest, although I had no doubts that You had called me, a friar who lived in the same convent gave me the scare of my life. He told me that Philosophy muddles the mind and its reasoning and theology destroys the faith. My response  was that I was better off if I left the convent, thus preserving my mind and most of all my faith. However if this is true regarding philosophy and theology we have many priests who are atheists and for the sake of being priests are still proclaiming Your message of good news and are still serving on the altars. I pray oh God that the experience of this friar is not that of many other priests and friars. Amen



13. By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was guarded. 14. Ephraim has given bitter offense, so his Lord will bring crimes down on him and pay him back for his insults.


(Book of Small Prophets Chapter 12 verses 13 to 14)


Oh God my Father I thank You for those people who served as prophets throughout my life, during the process of my conversion. I still meet some of them occasionally and we talk about You and the blessed interventions that have taken place in our lives thanks to You. Everywhere I go You send me such people who make me aware of myself, my actions and even of misconceptions on many levels that I might have and help me percieve my distorted perception. Thank You for sending me such prophets and caring for me by sending me such people who are signposts for me to follow Amen.



Oh God my Father I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-



Oh God, You are my Father, You know my every move, You are aware of both my strengths and my weaknesses, You have been following me, guiding me from the very time I came into existence as a human being. Throughout my life there were moments when we were really close, however, there were other moments when I chose to live life according to my way instead of Yours. I Thank You for waiting for me to turn back from my ways and walk in Your ways again. Thank You Jesus. 

The Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 11

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.

The Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 10

THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET

HOSEA 

CHAPTER 

10

1. Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars.

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 10 verse 1)


Oh God, this is common in the human race. The more You provide for us, the more we desire to increase our profits, however if we invest in our spiritual welfare more than in our financial welfare we would be better off and live a more balanced life, for at the point of death we will not need money, but the good deeds we did when we were still alive.



2. Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars, and destroy their pillars.


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 10 verse 2)



Oh God, You are aware of our innermost being. You know when we are true and sincere and You also know when we are hypocrites. I thank You for permitting us to bear the consequences of our guilt, for by means of such experiences do we come in touch with ourselves, and realize how wrong we were when making such decisions. During such moments may we realize that although we are enveloped by our sinful nature, Your loving arms are always outstretched to welcome us back, if only we are humble enough to admit our sins and show repentance by confessing our sins in a spirit of humility.


3. For now they will say: "We have no king, for we do not fear the LORD, and a king-what could he do for us?" 4. They utter mere words; with empty oaths they make covenants; so litigation springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field.


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 10 verses 3 to 4)


Oh God when we decide to take control of our lives, we become the sole authority. What, we think, say or do, is good and totally approved by us, regardless of what others, may think, feel or say! When we are in such a state nobody from our world can communicate with us, it is as if we are locked in a bubble. I pray oh God that You have mercy on us during such situations and create situations or intervene directly and burst our bubble so that we wake up from our state of sinful alienation.



5. The inhabitants of Samaria tremble for the calf of Beth-aven. Its people shall mourn for it, and its idolatrous priests shall wail over it, over its glory that has departed from it. 6. The thing itself shall be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim shall be put to shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his idol.


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 10 verses 5 to 6)


Oh God when we come face to face with the reality that our idol is simply a person or a career and that in itself has taken Your place, we will have reason to wail over all the wasted time. When we appear before You, we shall also appear before You w8ith our idols for which we must feel contrition because You have been given second place in our lives, because our investment may not have been in You and Your ways but in the ways of the world.


7. Samaria's king shall perish like a chip on the face of the waters. 8. The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed. Thorn and thistle shall grow up on their altars. They shall say to the mountains, Cover us, and to the hills, Fall on us.


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 10 verses 7 to 8)


Oh God my Father even during our times, we ought to tell the abortion clinics that we built, the genetic engineering centres in order to manipulate the genes of the pre-fabricated baby, the parliaments who pass laws that are contrary to our faith as in the case of divorce to fall on us. Such means are used in a way that is contrary to Your will and they have no reason to exist in this world. We are already experiencing the consequences of such false places of worship, for there will come a time when we drastically need an increase in population, and those who abort children will wish that  they were never born, for having committed such a sin. Those who passed legislation in favour of same-sex marriages, and divorce, will wish that they were never elected to parliament for the consequences of such legislation is adding fuel to the flame and increasing the degree of this is issue that may have widespread consequences, especially when considering the influx of immigrants, especially those of beliefs that are non-tolerable of our own belief in You my God. If we intermarry with such people, the faith may take a large bash, and this is a real shame, especially, when considering the secularism of our times.


9. Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel; there they have continued. Shall not war overtake them in Gibeah? 10. I will come against the wayward people to punish them; and nations shall be gathered against them when they are punished for their double iniquity. 


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 10 verses 9 to 10)


Oh God as Christians we have also sinned and are still doing so. Could it be that it is for this reason that You are permitting this group ISIS, to harass and persecute Catholics and Christians as a punishment for our iniquity?. If it is justifiable in Your eyes so shall it be, but if not I pray that You save us from this waste of life and shedding of blood along with the destruction of many people.


11. Ephraim was a trained heifer that loved to thresh, and I spared her fair neck: but I will make Ephraim break the ground; Judah must plow; Jacob must harrow for himself.


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 10 verse 11)


Oh God my Father while we were still faithful and obedient to You we were supported by Your love, care and protection when we decide to wander according to our ways we are bound to experience the consequences of our actions, which at times lead us into a state of exile.


12. Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up fallow ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. 


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 10 verse 12)


It follows as You say oh God my Father that if we sow righteousness, we will reap it, however if we sow sin and corruption we will also reap it as we are reaping it today and throughout the ages. I pray oh God that You anoint the world with Your Holy Spirit so that we will be purified and return back to Your ways and start really and truly living Your promise Amen.


13. You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped injustice, you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your power and in the multitude of your warriors, 14. therefore the tumult of war shall rise against your people, and all your fortresses shall be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel  on the day of battle when mothers were dashed in pieces with their children. 15. Thus it shall be done to you, O Bethel, because of your great wickedness. At dawn the king of Israel shall be utterly cut off.


(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 10 verse 13 to 15)


Oh God, my Father it makes sense that if we sow sin we will reap sin or negative outcomes, however if we place our trust in You instead of in our own devices we will be better off. When we place our trust in ourselves, if such plans are not according to Your plan for us we will gradually witness the degradation or dismantling of our plans one by one until we learn how to make our plans according to Your will.


Oh God my Father I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:


Oh God You know me more and better than my own self. You have known me ever since the time before I was created for You had already made plans for me even before I was born. You love me so much that even when I go against Your will you have already plans by which to place me back on track for You love me so much. I pray that You never permit me to wander away from You for I am weak and may easily sin against You. Thanks for loving and caring for me God my Father. 

The Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9

THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET

HOSEA 

CHAPTER 

9

1. Do not rejoice, O Israel! Do not exult as other nations do;  for you have played the whore, departing from your God. You have loved a prostitute's pay on all threshing floors.

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9 verse 1)

Oh God, the same warning can be applied to us Christians. Today You would tell us not to be satisfied and or overjoyed with the discoveries in science and other spheres of life. For even though we are making great progress, in the scientific world, on a spiritual level we are becoming more atheist than ever before and this is something that we are not to be proud of.


2. Threshing floor and wine vat shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail them. 3. They shall not remain in the land of the LORD, but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and in Assyria they shall eat unclean food.

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9 verse 3)


Oh God, the world can only satisfy what is human and material. It can never satisfy our spiritual needs. This is an area that we take for granted, at our own cost, for in fact all that is material will come to an end but, all that is spiritual will remain forever. If we neglect this area we will find ourselves in a state of Egypt, meaning sorrow and pain.


4. They shall not pour drink offerings of wine to the LORD, and their sacrifices shall not please him Such sacrifices shall be like mourners' bread all who eat of it shall be defiled: for their bread shall be for their hunger only; it shall not come to the house of the LORD.

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9 verse 4)


Oh God, when we come to receive You during communion we need to be prepared to receive Your holy presence, for if we are in deep sin at the time we cannot benefit from the power of Your presence. Even though You love us it will be like driving a new Ferrari into a garage filled with the waste and droppings of pigs and horses.


5. What will you do on the day of appointed festival, and on the day of the festival of the LORD?

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9 verse 5)


How will we stand before You oh God on the day of judgement if we have wasted our lent time on earth instead of using our time to do good works on behalf of others in need?


6. For even if they escape destruction, Egypt shall gather them, Memphis shall bury them. Nettles shall possess their precious things of silver; thorns shall be in their tents.

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9 verse 6)


Oh God, we can never escape Your justice. Even though we may manage to live a corrupt life on earth at the expense of other innocent people, there will come the time when we will have to face the consequences of our actions.


7.  The days of punishment have come, the days of recompense have come; Israel cries "The prophet is a fool, the man of the spirit is mad!"

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9 verse 7)


Indeed oh God the days of punishment are in fast progress. People who believe in You are being ridiculed because of the message of Your truth that they are proclaiming. People who have a close relationship with You and were being of help to others by holding prayer meetings are being persecuted of which one that I am familiar with has been forced to stop such meetings by a competent authority, but has not provided a solution for the welfare of such faithful, whose spiritual life is at risk if they generalize that all people who have made Your experience during apparitions are phonies and not accepted by the Roman Catholic Church.


8. The prophet is a sentinel for my God over Ephraim, yet a fowler's snare is on all his ways, and hostility in the house of his God. 9. They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; he will remember their iniquity he will punish their sins.

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9 verses 8 to 9)


Oh God even though we willfully give up our lives to a life sin You still watch over us and spoil our plans so that we will not harm ourselves or others by means of our crooked plans. Oh God because You love us so much You face the dilemma of every parent. Although You love us so much You cannot turn a blind eye to our acts of disobedience. This means that we still have to experience the negative consequences of our sins, by which we will grow and mature in the process. I thank You, God, for the way that You choose to deal with us humans.


10. Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree, in its first season, I saw your ancestors. But they came to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to a thing of shame, and became detestable like the thing they loved.

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9 verse 10)


Oh God before we ever had set our eyes and minds on You, before we had even been created You already knew us. We were already in Your plan for our salvation. Time and time again throughout our lives You communicated with us either directly or by means of Your Gospel or Bible or by means of tribulations, but our hearts were set on the world and we did not respond to You. However, You never gave up on us.


11. Ephraim's glory shall fly away like a bird-no birth, no pregnancy, no conception!

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9 verse 11)


Oh God, it is only from You that we receive our strengths our talents and skills our life, however without You, nothing makes sense or is of value. Without You we end up living in a state of death and confusion.


12. Even if they bring up children. I will bereave them until no one is left Woe to them indeed when I depart from them!

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9 verse 12)


And woes it is to me and many others oh God my Father! If You had to leave my side for even a second my soul would surely perish for I am still weak on all levels. May it never be oh God that You depart from me and the whole world, for we would surely be in a state of bereavement.


13. I saw Ephraim as a young palm planted in a lovely meadow but now Ephraim must lead out his children for slaughter.

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9 verse 13)


Oh God, I can only just understand Your feelings on seeing Ephraim degenerating in such a way. You have known us even before we were born. You have been following us since we made our first step and uttered our first exclamation and now You maybe see us deep in sin, hooked on cocaine, or maybe even see us in a wrecked car over cliff's edge in an act of suicide! You who felt sorry to have had to spare Your only son for our redemption and was overjoyed to accept Him risen and in glory, will one day also feel the same emotion when we meet You in heaven. (I hope!)


14. Give them, O LORD what will you give? Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9 verse 14)


As in the case of the prophet Hosea, I also ask, 'what shall we pray for?' However You gave us the answer to this question. We are to pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit and it will be given to us. Amen.


15. Every evil of theirs began at Gilgal; there I came to hate them. Because of the wickedness of their deeds, I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more; all their officials are rebels. 

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9 verse 15)


Every form of evil has a beginning oh God. A situation where we said 'Yes' to evil and no to 'You'. Since then if this action became a pattern as in masturbation that can even become a compulsion or lives will change completely for the goodness of God cannot be present at the same time as evil, therefore, in order to allow You my God in our lives, we are to say goodbye to evil. Oh God even though, we do sinful acts You still love us and have love and compassion for us, however, You cannot turn a deaf ear, or a blind eye on our sins as if they did not exist.


16. Ephraim is stricken, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit. Even though they give birth, I will kill the cherished offspring of their womb. 17. Because they have not listened to him my God will reject them; they shall become wanderers among the nations.

(Book of Small Prophets Hosea Chapter 9 verses 16 to 17)


Oh God, I understand that You want to have the first place in our lives and that You do not accept any other competition. As a parent myself, I realize how painful it is to have disobedient children, who although receive Your comfort and love, still decide to go against Your will.


Oh, Father, I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-


Oh, Father, I would like to pray for all parents, especially those who are facing a tidal wave of stress due to the disobedience of their children and many other issues. I pray for the parents of those youths who are addicted to drugs, a life of crime and other issues that Satan uses to test and harm us before You. I also pray for the youths themselves for it could be that their behaviour is a reflection of the challenging times that they are facing and are not coping with. I pray for Your blessing, love and protection oh God. May Your blessings flow on to all the families of the world.