Greetings to you all greatly beloved of God and welcome to another episode of our daily study of the Scriptures. We bless the name of the Lord God for the gift of life and for His benefits on us each new day. Praise be to God and happy Sunday to you all.
In our today’s episode 586, we shall be examining Hosea Chapter 3 titled:
This Was How Hosea Bought Back His Wife And Quarantined Her
Chapter 3 is about how Prophet Hosea was instructed to take back his wife, though unfaithful, as already foreseen and prophesied in Chapter 1:2, Hosea obeyed and bought her back from her concubine. He did not stop there, because Hosea did not want to take chances, she was quarantined (i.e placed in isolation) for a long period of time before they could resume their duties to each other as husband and wife.
Again, that was a symbolic demonstration of what happened to Israel. So, Israel was to live for a long period without her ancient rites of religion, and yet be free from idolatry; then at last she shall acknowledge the Messiah, and appropriate God’s righteousness that has been restored to her.
Again, let’s look at how much Hosea paid to buy her back:
Fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley.
What a ridiculous price for a wife. I believe we all know the reason for that low price, right?
Even the price placed on a slave injured by an Ox in terms of shekels of silver doubles this price according to Exodus 21:32. That of a slave is 30 shekels. Probably he used the one and a half homer of barley to compensate for the remaining fifteen shekels.
The bottomline is that it’s a ridiculous price.
This paints us a serious picture of how sin can devalue a man.
In the same way, Israel through their disobedience came under the slavery of sin.
No wonder the Bible says in John 8:34 that:
[34]Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Also take some time to meditate on Romans 6:16–20 and 2 Peter 2:19 for more emphasis.
So, what should be the reaction of everyone reading this message?
We must fear the Lord and live our lives pleasing to him.
If I say we should fear the Lord, It does not mean we feel scared or afraid to approach God. That’s not the type of fear we are talking about here.
To fear the Lord means to reverence Him and begin to operate in His Wisdom and Love which is well represented in Christ Jesus.
Remember pefect Love of God cast out fear. Please read 1John 4:18.
To be continued…stay tuned and stay blessed.
Let’s pray as we declare this statement of faith together:
Say with me: I refuse to grope in the dark. I refuse to allow sin to reduce me to nought. God has illuminated my life with His presence and I have a smooth relationship with Him, in Jesus name.
Bible Readings For Today: Ezekiel Chapters 43, 44 & 45 with Psalms 133 – 134.
I call you blessed now and always.
Sunday November 08, 2020 (DDMI)