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Topic: Before Names
[DCLM Daily Manna 3 December 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Hosea 1:1-11 (KJV)
Key Verse: “The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD“ (Hosea 1:2).
MESSAGE:
In many African cultures, personal names are more than mere labels for distinguishing one person from another. Names reflect circumstance of birth, change of status or aspiration etc. We should be familiar with the significance of a name like Ichabod (the glory has departed). That was the name given to Eli’s grandson whose birth coincided with the loss of the Ark of the covenant by Israel to Philistines.
In the narrative contained in our text, we find Prophet Hosea in a parabolic situation where he was divinely instructed to marry a harlot. The harlot gave birth to three children who, like their mother, were “children of whoredoms”.
The first child was Jezreel (God will scatter) – an allusion to the end of the Jehu dynasty and the ultimate ruin of the ten tribes. Next was Loruhamah (not pitied) – God would no more have mercy on them and the third child was Loami (not my people) – God disowned them altogether.
God loved, favoured and cared for Israel. But on their part, they were unfaithful to Him. Israel’s idolatry was as repulsive as a wife surrendering herself to the lustful embrace of other men. In contrast, God promised to save the tribe of Judah and hinted at the present era when both Jews and Gentiles would come under the saving grace and lordship of Christ.
It is vain to take God’s love for granted. We must not live in spiritual adultery; thereby, sharing our affections between Him and the world. He is a jealous God and will not share His glory with another. Do not be part of professing Christians whose professions contradict their conducts.
Thought For The Day: The worst fall is to fall from grace.
Bible Reading In One Year: 1 Corinthians 15-16
