Week 3 Day 1

Malachi

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me? Says Yahweh of Hosts to you priests, Who despise My name.”

Malachi 1:6 HCSB

Malachi (My messenger, my angel) is thought to be a priest among the Levites. His message to his fellow priests occurs between 458-435 BC. Cyrus has allowed the Jews to return to Judah and the completion of the temple has taken place. Nehemiah’s working on the wall with his relentless opposition. While Malachi has to deal with half-hearted commitment among the priest and the people. (HCSB, 2018)

Our first day of study for Malachi is an overview of the book. So, we’ll read through the four short chapters and keep in mind the themes listed in our study bibles: *

1. Perversion of the Priesthood (Malachi 1:6-2:9) *
2. Intermarriage with foreigners (2:11-16)
3. Problems in society (3:5)
4. Disobedience of principles governing giving

I’m noting also in my study bible that the “Hebrew word for Hate (sane) is to be understood as a lesser degree of love and esteem, or having less favor toward one. In the covenant sense, the descendants of Esau could be saved just as those coming through Jacob. The term “hated” is then used as hyperbole to affirm God’s choice of Jacob to inherit the covenant blessing over Esau, who remained outside the Lord’s covenant “(Gen 25:29-34-,27:1-400) (HCSB, 2018, p. 1499)

Israel is referred to as Jacob in the first chapter of the book of Malachi.

Do you remember, Jacob means deceiver and God changed his name to Israel after he wrestled with the angel all night, before meeting his brother Esau? (Gen. 32:24-32) I find it interesting that Israel (the nation) is referred to as Jacob (the deceiver) in chapter one of Malachi. We’ll find out why, very soon.

Although, there is difficulty in finding holy leadership among the priests, God is still faithful to His part of the covenant. I don’t know about you, but I feel a little better glancing back over the years and seeing where my mistakes are pretty common to humankind. Selfishness is not new. Seeking material things for myself before thinking of God is not new. Building faith starts with looking at my dissatisfied life and finding the missing piece. For me, it took a long time. God in my life, but my life not in submission to Him.

It is the full realization of His mercy and love that brings us to commit fully to Him. I glance back over my life and just stand in awe when I see the places our Holy God walked with me along the way! In spite of my carelessness towards Him! The yearning of my heart to honor and bestow gratitude for His merciful love is overwhelming.

I fill up with tears every single time I feel His grace. The longing for something better may be in your heart too. Trust me in this, He is the answer. As we study the book of Malachi this week and see a peek of the day of the Lord, our own halfhearted obedience may become clearer.

May this book inspire us to thoughtfully consider our commitment to God. As well as our stewardship, our values, our money. Jesus says, “where your treasure is, your heart will be also” (Mathew 6:21).

Lord, I ask for guidance as we begin our study and pray You expand our minds, open our hearts to Your message of repentance and the importance of your covenant love. Please stir the desire to seek You more. In Jesus name, Amen.

Week 2

Day 4

“Let whoever is wise understand these things, and whoever is insightful recognize them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous walk in them, But the rebellious stumble in them.”

Hosea 14:9

Israel at this point in time is senseless. He’s speaking my language. I’ve been in their shoes and walked the same path. “Simple, gullible, without expertise. Referring to the one who does not have the heart or discernment to make right choices, one who is easily influenced by unwise counsel.” (HCSB, 2018p.1403) Thank God, He has a wiser way, and the patience to wait out my obstinance.

Yesterday, we looked at the heart of this group of people, hearts possibly similar to our own, with lingering obstinance, in spite of salvation.

Hosea 7:6 says ‘For they, their heart like an oven, draw him into their oven. Their anger smolders all night;

Hosea 7:14 They do not cry to Me from their hearts; rather they wail on their beds. They slash themselves for grain and new wine; they turn away from Me.

Hosea 9: 1 Israel, do not rejoice jubilantly as the nations do, for you have acted promiscuously, leaving your God. You have loved the wages of a prostitute on every grain-threshing floor.

Hosea 9:10 I discovered Israel like grapes in the wilderness, I saw your fathers like the first fruit of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, consecrated themselves to Shame, and became detestable, like the thing they loved.  

Hosea 10: 2 Their hearts are devious, now they must bear their guilt.

Hosea 13: 6 When they had pasture, they became satisfied they were satisfied, and their hearts became proud. Therefore, they forgot Me.

The poetic language in these scriptures paint a picture of history. The history of their nation as well as ours. All the way from smoldering anger to prideful hearts becoming proud and forgetting who our Provider is. A republic selling ourselves out to other countries, thinking of our own pleasure before God. Largely, a nation well-fed, loving alcohol, and sex.

In spite of advances in technology, knowledge, and culture the human heart is the same. It is prone to wander and seek its own pleasure. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick (Jeremiah 17:9a) In spite of treacherous hearts; scripture reveals God’s faithful love remains the same.

 I thank Him for his faithful love and His word that keeps me alert to my wayward heart! There are two things He clarifies for Israel, and hence for us; discipline and a chance to draw near to Him.

Please read Hosea chapters 8-14 and consider the following questions:

1. The consequences of corruption are serious, and that is why the New Testament writers understood a very important principle lost on our youth today: Write Hebrews 10:31 in the space below:
2. The consequences of Israel’s sin are given in the prophetic warning of Hosea: He is the voice crying out to repent. The same voice throughout history God sends to wake us up from our slumber of complacency and focus on what really matters. What is God’s plan to wake them up? (Hosea 10:10)
3. What is God’s plea for Israel (and in essence all those who claim to know Him)? (Hosea 10: 12)
4. God’s love, is as tender as a mother with a newborn babe sometimes, and at other times it’s as tough as dad’s belt on the behind, when children are unruly. (I know that was back in the day, ‘no one’ would dare do that now). Please write Hosea 11:1 in the space below:
5. The sense of betrayal has been felt by every parent reading this at some point in the rearing of children (if not yet, just wait) read through Hosea 11:2-8 again and list the “I” statements God makes in the space below.
6. What is stirred in God according to verse 9 of Hosea 11, and what does God refuse to do?
7. What plea is on the lips of God through the prophet Hosea in 14:1-2?
8. The promise of God is clear when people turn their wayward hearts back to Him, what is that promise? (Hosea 14:4-7)

What we see in the Old Testament is exactly what is played out in the presence of Jesus our savior in the New Testament. I am thankful God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8).  The word repent in the OT bible gateway ESV version is listed 22 times. In the NT it is listed in 53 verses!

Yes, God loves us and calls us to return to Him. May we pray today, our introductory verse for ourselves and our loved ones who may not understand these things.

 God, we pray for insight to recognize where we are rebelling and stumbling. Help us to be wise and soften our hearts to want change. Open our ears to hear the pleas of your prophets and our Lord Jesus, to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Mathew 4:17) Praise you, God. I pray your blessing over each lady who finishes this study today and cheer her heart with joy as she puts all faith and trust in you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Week 2 Day 3

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.’

Hebrews 12:11

Discipline is tough. As we saw yesterday, its hard edge of training on the recipient, allows time to examine hearts. Such instruction, empowers the persons to absorb consequences of behavior and opens the route of change. That is good news. There is restoration after discipline.

For many of us, like Israel, the route of change may take a long time. As we continue our study of Hosea, we will read chapters three through seven and note some key points. The chiastic structure of the book introduces a relationship between a husband and wife in chapters 1-3. As the book evolves, we see a correlation between God and his people (chapters 4-14).

The wronged prophet must now deliver the message and heart of a betrayed God.

Please Read Hosea chapters 3-7 today and consider the following questions:

1. In spite of Gomer’s pitiful state on the auction block of slavery, Hosea takes pity on her and buys her back. What does he say to her in chapter 3 verse 3?
2. Who purchased us from our slavery to sin and empowers us to live a better life according to Romans 6:5-11?
3. God’s pursuit of us wayward people is heartwarming isn’t it? Our parent’s longing for our child to travel a path of freedom is innate in all of us because we reflect the image of our loving Father. What do the children of God lack in this message from Hosea?

Hosea 4:1        Hosea 4:6        Hosea 4:14

• Their lack of knowledge is not a mind issue though, is it? It is really the same issue we all encounter in our own lives and the people we love. It’s a heart issue. Take a peek ahead at the following verses to see what I mean:

Hosea 4:1        Hosea 7:6        Hosea 7:14      Hosea 9:1        Hosea 9:10

Hosea 10:2      Hosea 13:6     

• It seems to be a twofold problem for the people of Israel. They like the culture around them and they lack proper leadership to steer them away from destruction. Who does the prophet address in Hosea 4 and what does he say? (vs 4-6)
• God calls Israel and us to repentance, he is always giving the opportunity to learn from the consequences of our behavior.  Summarize below what the prophet says in chapter 5 verses 1-4?
• Yes, discipline is tough. What does God hope to accomplish for His wayward children according to chapter 5 verse 15 through 6:3?
• Although, they like Adam violated the covenant (6:7), God is faithful in His discipline, what does he see in the future? (Ch. 7:1)

I know we don’t see this future return in this chapter or in the remainder of this book of sacred text. However, we do see it through Christ Jesus as this love story plays out in the New Testament.

The purpose and intent of God’s discipline cannot be underestimated or overlooked. He is a loving God who gives time and warning for his people to turn from their idolatry, drinking, violence, and sexual sin.

The sin is exposed openly in the harsh words of the prophet to shed light on the behavior that causes death. In hopes that, examining the heart will bring remorse and encourage change. As difficult at it is, we cannot underestimate the power of discipline.

Hebrews 12:9-11 English Standard Version (ESV)

Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Week 2

Day 2

I’m learning as we study this book, that Hosea is a young prophet during the time of his contemporaries, Isaiah and Amos. His first message from the Lord was to marry a promiscuous woman, Gomer.

The first child born of this woman for Hosea is Jezreel, which means “God sows; what is scattered”. My study bible states this is the only child ‘clearly’ designated as Hosea’s child. The name draws attention to the day of judgment on Israel but also to God’s promise to restore His relationship with His people. (HCSB, 2018, p. 1395)

In chapter one of Hosea we see the Lord announce His intent to bring bloodshed upon the house of Jehu in order to avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel, the town where Jehu had brought God’s judgement on the house of Omri. This story of annihilation for Ahab and Jezebel is found in 2 Kings chapter 9 if you want to read that historical account.

Now that we have a little historical background, we can ask questions about our first chapter. Please read Hosea ch. 1 and 2

1. What do you think of God’s instruction to Hosea in 1:2?
2. If we place ourselves in this ancient time period, (where women were basically property, and the punishment of adultery is death, by stoning) what characteristic of God begins to emerge?
3. God’s intention for the Northern Kingdom of Israel is clear, what is it? (vs 5)
4. The second child of Gomer, is Lo-Ruhamah (not loved, or my bible says, no compassion). What does God clarify about the Northern Kingdom Israel? (vs 6)

And who receives compassion? (vs 7)

• Gomer conceives again, and God says name Him, Lo-Ammi (not my people) what do you think this means for the covenant with Israel? (vs 8)

The Holman Christian Standard study bible says God is temporarily suspending His covenant with the northern kingdom. A reversal of God’s protection of Israel from Egypt when He rescued them from slavery (Exodus 6:7)  (HSCB, 2018, p. 1396).

We see a perfect and Holy God cannot tolerate self-destructing practices among the people He lovingly created. The harsh consequences for sin are felt throughout generations. We see it today among our own culture. The boundaries of safety set forth in the ten commandments are not just rules to kill our joy. They are for our protection. As people continually break these bounds of protection, their self-inflicted pain and suffering increase.

But God! His Mercy is never ending and His extension of grace reaches through our rebellion to pull us out of misery and despair! He cannot stand to see us suffer and offers a solution.

• We see a name change of two of the children in chapter two verse 1. What are they now called?
• When we read verses 2-13 pay attention to what appeals to Gomer (Israel) and maybe what is more appealing to us than what God offers. Make a numbered list below and any comparisons you can think of:

We see the similarities, don’t we? However, are you ready for God’s mercy after some sharp discipline? Please read through chapter 2:14-23 and answer the following questions:

• What is God’s first act of mercy in vs 14?
• What is promise is restored in verse 18?
• God says to Israel in verse 19, I will take you to be my wife forever, what four qualities does He list:

I will take you to be My wife in ________________, ____________, __________, and ______________.

The poetic justice, love and mercy of our God is displayed in the story of Hosea. We see a restoration of a disciplined people and the promise of a faithful God.  He opens the sky and the earth to produce their food. We can relish in the His endurance as we close chapter two: The earth produces their provision; He displays his compassion on “No compassion” and calls them “My People” who are “Not my People”.

I am reminded of Hebrews chapter 12 as we close out this chapter of Hosea. If you have time to read that today please do so, it will lighten your heart in the area of how God is working through this pandemic to bring our people back to Him. Here is a teaser for you:

“My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or faint when you are reproved by Him, for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son he receives. Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline—which all receive—then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (Hebrews 12:5-8)

I am learning so much! No matter how unfaithful we are to God, He continues to pursue us! Does that make you just stop and wonder with awe?

Jesus is our great hope and God’s ultimate sign of his faithfulness and discipline turns our wayward eyes towards Him! Praise God!

Thank you for studying with me, let’s consider the following each day we study:

What is God speaking to my heart today? How can I pray through my own circumstances and how can I pray for you? Let me know!

Week 2

Day 1

I will take you as my wife in faithfulness, and you will know Yahweh.”

Hosea 2:20

I wonder if the thought of “faithfulness” is why so many couples avoid marriage in our culture? Is infidelity in marriage part of the reason why people fear to fully commit? A culture steeped in the storylines of television would tell us so. Our favorite celebrities fail a this. Our friends do, and sometimes even our parents. Perhaps, a deep seeded insecurity lies in the hearts of people recovering from infidelity’s emotional pain.

Although, I can understand having little faith in marriage for these tender hearts, there is hope in changing such perspectives. The hope is the promise of our faithful God. He knows all about unfaithfulness. Our Lord witnesses it every single day. Surprisingly, He remains steadfast in His part of the commitment, wooing his ‘promiscuous’ wife back to Him. A display of such devotion shocks hearts wrought with lingering distrust.

God’s display of devotion unsettles the deep seeded complacent hearts fearing to invest emotionally. It makes them question their own failure to take the risk. Selfless acts subjecting Him to rejection or humiliation by God, is too great for these tender hearts. It’s safer to stay inside the boundaries of defense.

However, God’s example of unfailing love in the book of Hosea, tramples walls wounded hearts erect head on. I admire Hosea for facing the ridicule and contempt from other men, as he carries out on earth what God does in Heaven.

He loves unconditionally.

A look into the full love of God, painfully exposes humiliation’s insecurity. Which is the fear and pain of being subject to shame all over again. Faced with the brilliance of God’s continual pursuit of disgraceful people, in the metaphor of an adulterous spouse, the question arises:

“If it’s not too hard for the Sovereign God of the universe to humble Himself in such a way, who am I?

 God’s command to his prophet, Hosea is this:

“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go again; show love to a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, just as the Lord loves the Israelites though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.”  Hosea 3:1

Our study of scripture today takes place in Hosea. A story within a story. Hosea is told by God to marry a woman who is going to cheat on Him, several times. It is a parallel to the Northern Kingdom of Israel’s abandoning God to worship pagan gods.

Please read Hosea chapters 1-3 today to begin our second week of study on unwavering faith. Please note the metaphorical language used to describe a spouse’s infidelity. We see the pain, heartache, and lack of stability this behavior causes in the relationship. An exact replica of our own instability without God in our lives.

But it doesn’t have to stay that way!

Take heart! This book is a picture of His restoration! Restoring a marriage, a family, relationships, and a nation. That is just how powerful God moves through His word.

If, we open our hearts to His healing. I can’t wait to dig into this week’s study with you!

 “The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, you will not despise a broken and humbled heart Psalm 51:17 (HCSB)

The love of Christ and my own shy personality usually frees me from attention-seeking behavior. The revolting thought of negative notoriety is this introvert’s worst nightmare. Did you see the American lady making “British eggs” in England? Only to be shamed as a fake! Putting yourself out there is so risky in our easily riled culture.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that intimidation knocks at the door of my confidence when compelled into the spotlight of extreme attention. The kind that whispers, are you sure you want them to see and hear all of you?

Sitting with my back to the wall is my preferred place to observe and soak in my surroundings. You know, stowed away from presumptuous ears that assess my intelligence with a slight twitch of the eyebrow when they hear my Kentucky accent.

Yes, ladies are in tune with those not so subtle looks from others. I take a deep, calming breath as the dreaded once-over begins. The softer, approval seeker in me feels her sails inflate when met with acceptance. While the intimidated loner bristles with momentary self-doubt if she bumps against haughtiness. However, a sure-footed contentment in a Savior’s love overcomes momentary affirmation from others as a distinct truth is realized; I am average and it’s ok.

Average in appearance and knowledge maybe, yet far beyond what others observe on the surface.

Hidden to the observer in that split-second, critical glance is an extraordinarily reformed spirit! The Holy Spirit counsels and calms my doubtful heart awaiting a second cursory gaze from the onlooker. He defines my worth, not others. He fills my soul with satisfaction and spurs me on to live for Jesus. He calms quaking emotions while assuring me, I am accepted by Him. Because my heart is pure. He washed me clean with the blood of His sacrifice on the cross, and I received His grace the day I placed my faith in Him.

So, when the observer’s eyes rise for reassessment, the radiance of a fulfilled heart may take them aback. Perhaps, their perspective narrows as they see something beyond the exterior human face before them.

They see a heart filled with Jesus and an eagerness to please Him. The average appearance disguises, at first, a repaired spirit. A sprit once broken in a world where physical appearance is paramount. Although, the once broken spirit never measures up physically to flawless skin, perfect size, and great hair; she is free from the chains of imperfection seen daily in the mirror.

In its place is an awareness that too many years are spent seeking outward perfection. The realization is the true beauty of a humbled heart in love with her redeeming savior.  A sacrifice noticed in heavenly places and stirring wonder in men and women who encounter its humbleness.