Hosea 7:1-8:14: Hosea 7:8: By associating with people that didn’t serve God, Ephraim had his heart turned away from God and it caused him to become weak spiritually; he didn’t even discern what was happening to him. The same can happen to us if we hang out with people who don’t love God (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
Hosea 5:1-6:11: In Hosea 6, Israel looks as if they are repentant, but their terminology betrays them. They are actually blaming God for their misfortune and now speak as if God is obligated by His grace to turn things around for them because God is the guilty One and not them. But God sees their true heart; they are impenitent and remorseful but not truly repentant. Israel’s show of repentance was merely transitory, like a morning cloud or the early dew: now you see it, now you don’t and it is vanished.
God sent His prophets to tell them, but they would not listen. So the result of their stubbornness and self-will comes with major consequences. You may say, “That is the Old Covenant and I’m under the New”, but read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 and notice the word “examples” and “written for our admonition.”
God knows the heart of each one; we cannot fool or con Him. He knows the motives and intents of our heart. Others may not because we keep things hidden, but God sees and knows. Let’s always examine our heart to make sure we walk with the right motives (1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Kings 8:39; Matthew 15:8, 15-20).
When thoughts come into your mind that are out of God’s will and contrary to His Word, cast them out immediately or they will become seed and if left unchecked will result in behavioral actions.
Psalm 139:1-6: This psalm ties in everything we just discussed in Hosea.
Psalm 138:7-8: Trouble has the tendency to wear us down and out, but in midst of it I can still experience revival!
Hosea 1:1-2:23: This book is an incredible love story analogy of God’s awesome love for us.
Daniel 11:1-12:13: Daniel 11:32: The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.
The word “know” has to do with intimacy and relationship, not just a casual acquaintance.