THE LORD SPOKE (December 08)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Hosea 1-3

The two prophesied at almost the same time. The introductory verses of Isaiah and Hosea both mention the same kings - Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Since both ministered to the southern kingdom of Judah, the main difference was that Hosea hailed from the northern kingdom (Israel) and therefore mentions “Jehoash, king of Israel”. His ministry began shortly after that of Amos who spoke of God’s judgment coming upon the northern kingdom. He represented God to the people for nearly 40 years and probably wrote his book in Judah some time after the fall of Israel.

Of great interest (and worthy of some serious research!) is the similarity of content between the two prophets. Though God used them in very different ways, compare the message of Hosea 2 with Isaiah 61 in terms of the key terms of Old Testament biblical theology.

Hosea 2

PRINCE (Messiah) - use of “I” throughout
PROMISE (Covenant) - “I will make a covenant for them” (vs. 18)
PRESERVATION (Salvation) - “I will betroth you to me forever” (vs. 19-20)
POSSESSION (Land) - “I will plant her for myself in the land” (vs. 23)
PEOPLE (Israel) - “I will say to those called ‘Not my people’, ’You are my people’” (vs. 23)

Isaiah 61

PRINCE (Messiah) - Jesus read from this section (vs. 1-5) in the synagogue of Nazareth (Luke 4:16-21) and said it was written about Himself
PROMISE (Covenant) - “I will...make an everlasting covenant with them” (vs. 4-9)
PEOPLE (Israel) - “all who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed” (vs. 6,9)
POSSESSION (Land) - “they will inherit a double portion in their land” (vs. 7)
PRESERVATION (Salvation) - “he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness” (vs. 10)

The next several chapters of Hosea will be depressing. Judah’s sin is brought forcefully to her attention again and again. Yet, sandwiched in at chapter 3 is one of the most amazing promises of the Old Testament:

For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days. (3:4-5)

Proverbs 8

Wisdom is personified in Proverbs 8. The entire chapter is written as if it is her campaign speech just before the elections in chapter 9. She’s running against “Folly” and it’s a close race.

Not that they both have the same to offer. The two are as different as day and night. But the constituency to which they both appeal is leaning towards Folly. The voting public has a tendency toward sin so what Folly has to offer has the advantage of being flashy and catches the public’s fancy rather easily. Folly has many quick fixes and immediate pleasures to promise and she is a sly politician who knows well how to package her presentation for maximum effect.

Wisdom, on the other hand, has the rare distinction of being an honest politician (Prov. 8:4-8). What she has to offer is presented with a long-range vision. No lies about how easy her program is going to be. In fact, she promises it will be costly (Prov. 8:10-11) and take some time to implement. It will require discipline and some significant effort (8:32-36). It is based on thorough research and a wide base of excellent counsel (Prov. 8:14). It has a long history (Prov. 8:22-23) and a good record in the field (Prov. 8:15-16). The dividends are clearly defined, as it is the path to arrive at that goal (Prov. 8:17-21).

Clearly, what Wisdom has to offer is the better program (Prov. 8:35-36). Why would anyone vote for Folly? Her program is self-destructive and guaranteed to fail because of internal defects and inconsistencies.

Vote for Wisdom!