Punishment For Israel (Hos. 9:1-10:15);
It was probably (we can’t say for sure) during one of the harvest festivals that Hosea comes with this announcement. There would have been feasting, dancing and joy and the last thing the Israelites would have thought of was the message in 9:1-5. The message was simple. God has forsaken them because they have forsaken God!

The second section of this chapter 9 contains a proof, that judgment was coming. Hosea spoke of the coming invasion in clear and passionate terms, but they laughed and said he was a fool and crazy (9:7-8).

Sin separates us from God. When we are separated by sin, the spiritual perception that comes from God is taken away and what follows is blindness and spiritual deafness. When God removes himself from us, we are left with no hope!

In chapter 10, Israel is compared to a vine, God’s choice vineyard. It is termed as spreading vine. Her fruit is not what God desires! She bears fruit of idolatrous religion, fruit for herself.

Israel’s heart is deceitful(v.2) or in other words hypocritical. Their intention were one but actions were different!

As in marriage, what God desired was faithfulness. Israel claimed they worshiped Jehovah and that Jehovah was their true God, but their false altar and “sacred stones” were multiplying.

And now Israel was reaching a point of divorce! Are we reaching a point of divorce (unfaithfulness) in our relationship with God? Is God really the King and Lord of our hearts? Is He our first love? Are we bearing the fruit that He desires?

Is our heart hot for God?

Let us remember Jesus’ promise, “remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”.

Application : What are some godly qualities you are known for? Ask three of your close friends about what godly qualities they see in you?

“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – Gal.5:22”

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