We've been studying through Hosea at Calvary Chapel Sydney on Sundays and I happen to be in the book of Amos for my morning devotions, a prophet who was a contemporary of Hosea. Because the northern kingdom of Israel had rebelled from God, severe judgment was coming. Israel resembled a stubborn heifer who refused to budge, so God would put her in the position of a vulnerable lamb in open country. The fall of Israel at the hand of her enemies was a tragic consequence for her sin.
Amos 3:11-12 says, "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "An adversary shall be all around the land; he shall sap your strength from you, and your palaces shall be plundered." 12 Thus says the LORD: "As a shepherd takes from the mouth of a lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so shall the children of Israel be taken out who dwell in Samaria--in the corner of a bed and on the edge of a couch!" The people of the northern kingdom vainly hoped they would be spared, and they frantically tried to make treaties with their enemies rather than repenting before God. God made it clear no one in the northern kingdom would escape: the lamb who decided to forage in the open country would be torn in pieces by the lion of Assyria. They could hide away in darkened homes upon beds and couches but they would be found and removed.
Whilst the context of this passage was a warning of certain judgment, there is for believers great consolation found here. If a lion did steal and eat a sheep of the flock, the shepherd would boldly pursue and remove legs or even an ear from the mouth of lion. David described slaying a lion which came against the flock, and a hungry lion would not easily relinquish a kill without a fight. Shepherds who worked under a master would retrieve the torn parts of sheep as evidence they had not stolen the lamb or sheep for themselves. Another way of viewing the passage in light of God's grace, mercy, and love is God knew those who were left in Samaria the capital who were too feeble, sick, or wounded to flee. Though God's judgment was harsh, He exhibited compassion to consider the torn remnant worth delivering from the mouth of the lion.
Peter compared Satan to a "roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." Even if he is permitted to sink teeth or claws into one who wanders, Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who saves and delivers. Whilst there was no hope for the northern kingdom of Israel at that time because they would not repent, there remains hope for all today who cry out for help and deliverance. Our Saviour who rose from the dead is able to bring new life out of death. We are not to blame the devil for our pains, for God disciplines those who He loves. Hosea 6:1 says, "Come, and let us return to the LORD; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up." Pain is a trigger for men and women of faith to seek healing from God, not run from Him in unbelief. After David confessed his sin he wrote to God in Psalm 51:8, "Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice."
Hosea and David credited God for pains He allowed them to endure, knowing He who tore them was their only way to healing and restoration. God who delivered David from the paw of lion, bear, and even the giant Philistine prised him from the figurative mouth of the lion, sin which worked to damn him body and soul to hell. What an awesome God who shows love towards us, to heal, redeem, and save us when we were yet sinners. In Him we will find cause to rejoice forever.
Amos 3:11-12 says, "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "An adversary shall be all around the land; he shall sap your strength from you, and your palaces shall be plundered." 12 Thus says the LORD: "As a shepherd takes from the mouth of a lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so shall the children of Israel be taken out who dwell in Samaria--in the corner of a bed and on the edge of a couch!" The people of the northern kingdom vainly hoped they would be spared, and they frantically tried to make treaties with their enemies rather than repenting before God. God made it clear no one in the northern kingdom would escape: the lamb who decided to forage in the open country would be torn in pieces by the lion of Assyria. They could hide away in darkened homes upon beds and couches but they would be found and removed.
Whilst the context of this passage was a warning of certain judgment, there is for believers great consolation found here. If a lion did steal and eat a sheep of the flock, the shepherd would boldly pursue and remove legs or even an ear from the mouth of lion. David described slaying a lion which came against the flock, and a hungry lion would not easily relinquish a kill without a fight. Shepherds who worked under a master would retrieve the torn parts of sheep as evidence they had not stolen the lamb or sheep for themselves. Another way of viewing the passage in light of God's grace, mercy, and love is God knew those who were left in Samaria the capital who were too feeble, sick, or wounded to flee. Though God's judgment was harsh, He exhibited compassion to consider the torn remnant worth delivering from the mouth of the lion.
Peter compared Satan to a "roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." Even if he is permitted to sink teeth or claws into one who wanders, Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who saves and delivers. Whilst there was no hope for the northern kingdom of Israel at that time because they would not repent, there remains hope for all today who cry out for help and deliverance. Our Saviour who rose from the dead is able to bring new life out of death. We are not to blame the devil for our pains, for God disciplines those who He loves. Hosea 6:1 says, "Come, and let us return to the LORD; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up." Pain is a trigger for men and women of faith to seek healing from God, not run from Him in unbelief. After David confessed his sin he wrote to God in Psalm 51:8, "Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice."
Hosea and David credited God for pains He allowed them to endure, knowing He who tore them was their only way to healing and restoration. God who delivered David from the paw of lion, bear, and even the giant Philistine prised him from the figurative mouth of the lion, sin which worked to damn him body and soul to hell. What an awesome God who shows love towards us, to heal, redeem, and save us when we were yet sinners. In Him we will find cause to rejoice forever.
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