It’s striking that in these chapters of warning and judgment against Israel the gospel is still woven throughout. Here it’s in verses 4, 5, and 14. Always God provides promises capable of bringing back the erring and encouraging the faithful.

It’s striking that in these chapters of warning and judgment against Israel the gospel is still woven throughout. Here it’s in verses 4, 5, and 14. Always God provides promises capable of bringing back the erring and encouraging the faithful.

BibleGateway: Hosea 13:1-16 ESV Text: Hosea 13:1-16 Hosea 13 (Listen) The Lord’s Relentless Judgment on Israel 13:1   When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling;    he was exalted in Israel,    but he incurred guilt through Baal and died.2   And now they sin more and more,    and make for themselves metal images,  idols skillfully made of their silver,    all of them the work of craftsmen.  It is said of them,    “Those who offer human sacrifice kiss calves!”3   Therefore they shall be like the morning mist    or like the dew that goes early away,  like the…

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Jacob once wrestled for God’s blessings, but his descendants had lost the desire to cling to the Lord. Yet God still invited them to hold onto Him and put their hope in Him.

Jacob once wrestled for God’s blessings, but his descendants had lost the desire to cling to the Lord. Yet God still invited them to hold onto Him and put their hope in Him.

BibleGateway: Hosea 11:12-12:14 ESV Text: Hosea 11:12-12:14 Hosea 11:12–12:14 (Listen) 12   1 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,    and the house of Israel with deceit,  but Judah still walks with God    and is faithful to the Holy One.12:1   Ephraim feeds on the wind    and pursues the east wind all day long;  they multiply falsehood and violence;    they make a covenant with Assyria,    and oil is carried to Egypt. The Lord’s Indictment of Israel and Judah 2   The LORD has an indictment against Judah    and will punish Jacob according to his ways;    he…

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Here we see God’s beautiful and loving heart, a heart that does not want any soul to be lost. It’s a window into the heart of Jesus too. “How can I give you up?” Christ says to you. Think of that.

Here we see God’s beautiful and loving heart, a heart that does not want any soul to be lost. It’s a window into the heart of Jesus too. “How can I give you up?” Christ says to you. Think of that.

BibleGateway: Hosea 11:1-11 ESV Text: Hosea 11:1-11 Hosea 11:1–11 (Listen) The Lord’s Love for Israel 11:1   When Israel was a child, I loved him,    and out of Egypt I called my son.2   The more they were called,    the more they went away;  they kept sacrificing to the Baals    and burning offerings to idols. 3   Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;    I took them up by their arms,    but they did not know that I healed them.4   I led them with cords of kindness,1    with the bands of love,  and…

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The church needed to separate itself from the false prophetess Jezebel, for those who followed her would come under certain and severe judgment. Repent and believe, for the believers will rule with Christ!

The church needed to separate itself from the false prophetess Jezebel, for those who followed her would come under certain and severe judgment. Repent and believe, for the believers will rule with Christ!

BibleGateway: Revelation 2:18-29 ESV Text: Revelation 2:18-29 Revelation 2:18–29 (Listen) To the Church in Thyatira 18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel,…

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The church in Pergamum had held to the Lord but was tempted by sexual immorality. Jesus urged them to repentance and held the gospel before them: To those who conquer there awaits a heavenly feast.

The church in Pergamum had held to the Lord but was tempted by sexual immorality. Jesus urged them to repentance and held the gospel before them: To those who conquer there awaits a heavenly feast.

BibleGateway: Revelation 2:12-17 ESV Text: Revelation 2:12-17 Revelation 2:12–17 (Listen) To the Church in Pergamum 12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith1 even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things…

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The more success Israel had as a nation, the more they relied on themselves and turned from God. It is no different today. Many turn from God when times are good, thinking they don’t need Him.

The more success Israel had as a nation, the more they relied on themselves and turned from God. It is no different today. Many turn from God when times are good, thinking they don’t need Him.

BibleGateway: Hosea 9:17-10:15 ESV Text: Hosea 9:17-10:15 Hosea 9:17–10:15 (Listen) 17   My God will reject them    because they have not listened to him;    they shall be wanderers among the nations. 10:1   Israel is a luxuriant vine    that yields its fruit.  The more his fruit increased,    the more altars he built;  as his country improved,    he improved his pillars.2   Their heart is false;    now they must bear their guilt.  The LORD1 will break down their altars    and destroy their pillars. 3   For now they will say:    “We have no king,  for we do not fear the LORD;    and…

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A sad end would come to the northern kingdom of Israel. This is what sin does. It destroys and ruins everything. Look to your Savior for safety and healing from sin; and turn away from evil!

A sad end would come to the northern kingdom of Israel. This is what sin does. It destroys and ruins everything. Look to your Savior for safety and healing from sin; and turn away from evil!

BibleGateway: Hosea 9:1-16 ESV Text: Hosea 9:1-16 Hosea 9:1–16 (Listen) The Lord Will Punish Israel 9:1   Rejoice not, O Israel!    Exult not like the peoples;  for you have played the whore, forsaking your God.    You have loved a prostitute’s wages    on all threshing floors.2   Threshing floor and wine vat shall not feed them,    and the new wine shall fail them.3   They shall not remain in the land of the LORD,    but Ephraim shall return to Egypt,    and they shall eat unclean food in Assyria. 4   They shall not pour drink offerings…

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The nation of Israel would be scattered on account of its idolatry. The Lord was willing to receive them back to Himself, but they continually ignored His calls and worshiped silver and gold.

The nation of Israel would be scattered on account of its idolatry. The Lord was willing to receive them back to Himself, but they continually ignored His calls and worshiped silver and gold.

BibleGateway: Hosea 8:1-14 ESV Text: Hosea 8:1-14 Hosea 8 (Listen) Israel Will Reap the Whirlwind 8:1   Set the trumpet to your lips!    One like a vulture is over the house of the LORD,  because they have transgressed my covenant    and rebelled against my law.2   To me they cry,    “My God, we—Israel—know you.”3   Israel has spurned the good;    the enemy shall pursue him. 4   They made kings, but not through me.    They set up princes, but I knew it not.  With their silver and gold they made idols    for their own destruction.5   I have1…

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Suffering, affliction, and poverty— these things are only for a time. Keep your eyes focused on the end where there is salvation, glory, and life forever with Jesus.

Suffering, affliction, and poverty— these things are only for a time. Keep your eyes focused on the end where there is salvation, glory, and life forever with Jesus.

BibleGateway: Revelation 2:8-11 ESV Text: Revelation 2:8-11 Revelation 2:8–11 (Listen) To the Church in Smyrna 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander1 of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold,…

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In all the letters to the churches it is impossible to miss Jesus’ care and concern for them.

In all the letters to the churches it is impossible to miss Jesus’ care and concern for them.

BibleGateway: Revelation 2:1-7 ESV Text: Revelation 2:1-7 Revelation 2:1–7 (Listen) To the Church in Ephesus 2:1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be…

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