It Came for the Children

Hosea 4:7-9

As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

So often when it comes to our kids and our families, there comes the temptation to get our feelings involved. I know it doesn't make you feel any better and at times may leave you even feeling destroyed. But there is no other way to put it. Like it or not, he's God. As such he will redeem his people just as he said. From there is only eternity. Make sure you are spending it with God today regardless of what any does or says. It might sound a bit harsh at first. But look now at the Word of the Lord and at such perilous times that have come at last to try his people. With the increase and the blessing came sin. Now it should be seen it didn't happen all at once. Instead it came in a variety of forms, sometimes from necessity and others from desire. Regardless of this, the text doesn't say. There is a danger to be found in the blessing of the heart being lifted up as it began with Satan so long ago. Scripture alone tells how he is fallen due to the blessings of God. See, when there is much, and plenty, and perhaps a hard time that is when you should tread very carefully. How I would like to say that as he is the God of the increase, is he not the God of the rest too. Abraham himself found so long ago that when the blessing came so did his sin. For was not the promise given first of his seed being as the sand of the sea in number. Then were the children increased and began to do foolishly as before. But how many of you know that that it will not be the same as before. Now as to how the sin came, the text doesn't say. I imagine it was just as before though. For when lust conceived with it came sin and when that was done, death. As always, all sun is against God whether you intended it or no. Perhaps you may have heard the story before of how an untold Wiseman offered everything he had to meet the new king. Along the way he met so many in need. There he parted with each treasure just to save a life. At last, he made it just in time to the cross. Only to find a young woman in bondage for whom he gave all. At that moment a tile falling from a nearby building struck his head. As he lay dying, having never met the Lord, he was sad for he'd come so far just to die in sight of his goal. But then he heard a voice speaking so soft and low. In that day will the king answer, "inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these my brethren you have done so unto me." He's holy, church. Some of you have lost sight of the fact. When he finally returns for his people, his nation, and his church let us be a people without shame at his appearing.

They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.

Some of you might wonder as Mary did so long ago how all these things shall be. Look with me now at a time when nationality has been erased. Time means nothing to God neither does your own political opinion. See, it matters not what you think or who you voted for, only what God has to say about a thing. When he says, the inhabitants of the land, believe me he means just that. If he should need some help saying so, I think he would have asked. It is always important to see the children in this text as more than just a bunch of sin eaters. I don't know if you are familiar with that sort of being often seen in apocalyptic works of fiction. The sin eater usually is of evil origins themselves there to remind the people from whence they themselves were rescued from. Regardless, that is not the focus here. This is how you can eat and not be satisfied though because you're craving something else. How many know the God that carried our sins and our sorrows. Yet here are the children of those that returned doing more than their parents ever dared to do. Then as the text points out do they "set their heart on their iniquity." Therein is the sin of his people eaten up by reason of it. So badly so these act that his people soon forget what they ever did wrong. Really, God was more than happy to remove that as far as the east was from the West simply for being his people. In the midst of all this mess and distress, see now the ownership of God. Herein is the story of Abraham made complete. For as his children grew in multitude, so would the transgression. What then is stopping God from removing his covenant save that he swore by himself. For there is none greater than God and for such will he keep his Word regardless of how the children act. How sweet it is to know that all of man's sins and failings have not stopped the plan of God. So also nothing will disanull what he has promised. I do not care how great the temptation is.

And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.

Then this text twice repeated raises an awful lot of questions for some that are paying attention. I can almost hear you now 'you mean to tell me God has got a personal interest in the situation.' Oh yes, my friend, a very personal one indeed. See, after so long of being forgotten, marginalized, and told you don't exist the temptation is to wonder if God even cares about you at all. Nor is there yet a nation of kings and priests unto his Son as he promised there would. So this raises questions. What then of the priests that God keeps going on about. With the law over and commands thereof done, our great high priest has ascended to sit at God's right hand. It is from there he fulfills his office as did Melchizedek, king of Salem, the oft renowned but seldom visited. Maybe you feel tempted to think everyone else has a church but you. Maybe you feel left out and all alone. Quite possibly you feel like you're all by yourself. In the silence and at home you wonder if he still cares or knows whats going on. To the angel at the church of Sardis writes the one who takes a personal interest in them. It is a strange time indeed for all those listening. Hush now. The One with the seven spirits and seven stars is speaking. Now this is certainly something every Jewish person can relate to. Anyone who knows anything about them can tell you that they don't do spirits. Their definition of them is seen always as malevolent forces come to wreck havoc upon the living. They certainly know naught of the spirits of God for he was never disembodied to them. Yet here God is seen with seven of them, which certainly is a relief for those wanting nothing more to do with them. On the other side of things, the Arab, the Israeli, and the Judean alike are all represented by stars. At the very least, they feel a strong connection with them for they appear in various forms in almost every flag they own. All that aside, whether to priest or people, the One who knows them intimately is speaking. Even so does he knows their works. The punishment and reward echo the blessing and cursing set before the nation so long ago. So it is a church of them with soiled garments versus those dressed in white. For you know, the only ones getting the wedding garment are at the hands of Jesus Christ. Look though with me at Revelation 3 if you will. It sounds almost like a priest showed up to revelations does it not.