THE NEVER-ENDING LOVE OF HOSEA (5) – DIVINE OBSTRUCTION

Here we see God blocking the path rebellious Isreal has taken, trying to run away from Him (Hosea 2:6-8). The hedge of thorns is a barrier, a painful restraint; every step toward sin meets with resistance. This is a form of discipline. Thorns symbolize pain and difficulty resulting from the curse of sin (Gen 3:18). The barrier is placed by God to prevent progress, to stop Isreal from continuing towards idolatry. The next blockage is a wall, a more permanent and difficult barrier to overcome. God is determined to stop Isreal’s backsliding. He isolates Isreal from going on her sinful paths. This caging is not to destroy Isreal, but to arrest him, so that he can repent and come back to God. This is a proof that God disciplines His children. He actively intervenes when His people backslide. Because of God’s hindrance on the path, Israel is unable to pursue her own foolish desires. The inability to “find her way” means loss of direction and purpose, a common consequence of turning away from God. All backsliders become spiritually blind and confused. “We grope for the wall like the blind, And we grope as if we had no eyes; We stumble at noonday as at twilight; We are as dead men in desolate places” (Isa 59:10). God’s blocking is an act of judgment mixed with mercy. Spiritual barriers are meant to redirect us towards God, not just to punish or frustrate us. God’s discipline is a sign of His love for our ultimate good and for God’s glory!

BACKSLIDING

Backsliding refers to the act of relapsing into bad habits, undesirable behaviours, or lower standards of morality and performance after a period of improvement or commitment to better behaviour. It means to go back, “one step front and two steps back”.  In Christianity, it refers to a believer going back into sin, falling away from faith, or ignoring spiritual habits. It is an interruption in spiritual growth. In other words, backsliding means to walk in the flesh. “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal 5:16). It is God’s will that all “baby Christians” walk in the faith, and pay the price to grow spiritually, becoming mothers and fathers in Christ.  Backsliding is a serious sin because it is failure to grow up spiritually, doing God’s will. Spiritually, you either grow, moving forward, or you backslide. You cannot stay neutral. It is only a child of God that can backslide. An unbeliever cannot backslide because he was always living in sin. A child of God cannot lose his salvation. God promised to chastise His children and bring the backsliders back to Him. A backslider does not lose his salvation. But a backslider always loses blessings. He loses the joy of his salvation, fellowship with God and man, opportunities for ministry, and rewards. These are serious losses, but he has not lost his identity as a child of God. If “a backslider” dies in sin, and does not repent before his death, it means that he was never saved. He was a religious unbeliever. When backsliders decide to return to Christ, they find that they do not pick up where they left off. Instead, they have slid backwards and soon discover that they are less spiritual now than when they first began to slide. Backsliding is not a sin that cannot be forgiven. The cure for backsliding is to return to Christ as Lord and reconcile with Him with all your heart. Selah!

SIGNS OF BACKSLIDING (Deut 4:25-31)

These are the gradual steps towards backsliding: internal corruption, making idols and living in open sins:

*Moral Corruption happens when departing from God’s laws. It means lowering the standard of your conscience. You know what is best in life and you aim towards that standard. Then the devil tempts you to lower that standard. Immediately you become spiritually and morally corrupted. Corruption is a decay of character and testimony. It is characterized by dishonesty, deception, selfishness, lack of remorse, rationalization of sin, and abandonment of integrity for personal gain or power. Corruption has a “Moral Numbing” Effect. Initially, immoral actions create discomfort, but over time, men become desensitized, making repeated sins easier to justify. It always negatively impacts the environment, leading to misuse of power (bribery, favouritism) for selfish gain, eroding public confidence and damaging society. Corruption connects with idolatry. Moral corruption is the opposite of Holiness. God is holy and He commanded us to be holy!

*Making idols: Anything in the heart that competes with God is an idol. A corrupted heart is an idol producing machine.

*Sinful open behaviour without feeling of shame or guilt.  

What is the Hope for an open backslider? Repentance! Coming back to God and asking for mercy! God has promised to receive you!

EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF BACKSLIDING FROM GOMER’S STORY

*Restlessness. You become impatient, anxious. Like the waves of the sea, you can’t sit down still, can’t sleep well; you want to go out, do shopping, to have a change of scenery. You are moody and complaining. You are not grateful. You constantly chase after financial success or romantic breakthroughs, yet they never arrive. Observe these cycles: temporary highs followed by failure and emptiness.

*Secrecy. You are hiding your plans for success from mature spiritual people. You don’t want godly counsel. “Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, And their works are in the dark; They say, “Who sees us?” and “Who knows us?” (Isa 29:15). This secrecy is not a mistake, but intentional rebellion, a “deeply hidden” effort to conceal plans and actions. This is foolish for none can hide from God. It is a sign of pride. “Woe” warns of judgment upon those who hide in darkness. Adam and Eve tried to hide from God after their disobedience. Jezebel used secret meetings, false witnesses, and lies to achieve her goals, but she was seen and punished by God.

I AM ENCLOSED BY GOD

“You have enclosed me behind and before, And [You have] placed Your hand upon me. Such [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high [above me], I cannot reach it” (Ps 139:5,6; AMP). The Believer is enclosed, encircled, surrounded behind and before, by God Himself. This shows complete protection and guidance. He is like a city surrounded by high walls of defence. God protects “behind and before” because He is eternal, knowing past, present and future. Christ is the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning and the end (Rev 22:13). God’s hand in upon the believer. This shows present personal intimate touch, imparting authority and blessing. The hand of God represents power, provision, and protection. Believers lay hands on others in prayer, healing deliverance and blessings. God surrounds on every side—past (“behind”), future (“before”), and present (“hand upon me”).

The picture of being enclosed shows God’s control over circumstances, reminding us that nothing happens outside His will. Knowing that God has “laid His hand upon us” inspires us to trust His plan, even when we cannot see the full picture, especially in times of fear and uncertainty. God’s Cage means safety (nothing reaches us without first passing thru Him). When Satan wanted to attack Job, he could not do it because God surrounded him. Satan complained to God: “Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land” (Job 1:10). God’s surrounding presence is like the mother eagle’s wings carrying his babies. It gives us stability even when we are weak. “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut 33:27). During evil attacks, God defends us and we experience supernatural deliverance. “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him” (Ps 34:7). Praise the Lord!

Lessons: because God is “behind” we shall have no regrets. God has redeemed what we cannot change. He has covered our mistakes. Because God is “before” we are not afraid of the future. He guides our steps in paths of righteousness. Because God’s hand is upon us, He supplies strength in our present weakness. Nobody can break God’s protection from us. Jesus said: “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one” (Jn 10:28-30). Worship the Lord!

GOD IS FOREVER FAITHFUL

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim 2:13). Because we are born sinners, we all struggle with keeping our faith in God. Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus, denied knowing Him. Thomas doubted Jesus. As Christians, we need to always depend on God’s strength, not only during the times of weakness. God is always faithful to Himself, and to His Word. For example, God promised Abraham that he and Sarah will have a son. They were both too old to have children. But God’s promise remained. After waiting 25 years, Sarah, at 90, and Abraham at 100, she delivered their son, Isaac. God is faithful. This is God’s Word: “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore, you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob” (Mal 3:6). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8). This assurance that God is faithful gives us strength to trust in God’s Word. God cannot be unfaithful. He cannot act contrary to His very essence. “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Nu 23:19). God’s Love endures even when we betray Him! God’s faithfulness remains even when ours fails; His covenant of love keeps the door open for return of the prodigals. Worship the Lord!

THE NEVER-ENDING LOVE OF HOSEA (4) – THE THIRST OF GOD

“Bring charges against your mother, bring charges; For she is not My wife, nor am I her Husband! Let her put away her harlotries from her sight, And her adulteries from between her breasts; 3 Lest I strip her naked And expose her, as in the day she was born, And make her like a wilderness, And set her like a dry land, And slay her with thirst” (Hos 2:2,3).

This is the sad story of unfaithful and ungrateful Israel. God brought them out from Egypt, the land of slavery. He split the Red Sea for them and drowned the Egyptians. God gave them His Laws and made a covenant of love with them at Mount Sinai. After 40 years of going in circles in the desert, they finally enter the Promised Land. Each one of them is now a free landowner. They were supposed to live there serving God alone and working the land. God has promised to bless them and give them rain from heaven. They will work less than others and have greater harvests. They will become prosperous, having time and energy to serve Jehovah God alone. God warned them against serving other gods alongside Him. Idolatry will end in poverty and death (Deut 11:10-17). But Isreal forgot God!!! Because they were inexperienced farmers, they asked the remaining Canaanites to teach them how to farm the land. They were supposed to eliminate the Canaanites and not associate with them. They thought them farming but also how to serve their idols, especially Baal, the god of fertility, and harvest. This is how Isreal fell into the terrible snare of idolatry. God took it personal, and became angry, just as a loving husband is grieved when his wife becomes unfaithful to him. The Book of Hosea is a picture of God’s pain as Isreal betrayed Him in the Promised Land.

In the ancient culture, nakedness was associated with disgrace, humiliation, the removal of protection and honour. Gomer, Hosea’s unfaithful wife, is now naked, for sale as a slave. This represents God’s severe judgment on Israel, God’s unfaithful wife. She will be as in “the day when she was born”. Like a newborn baby, Isreal will return to a state of helplessness and dependency. God warns that He will reverse the blessings of Isreal. He will withdraw the rains. From the Land of Milk and Honey, Isreal will become a wilderness, a place of bareness, and desolation. God is the source of Living Water. The consequence of Going away from God is tormenting spiritual thirst. In the Bible, deserts are often places of testing and judgment, as seen in the Israelites’ wanderings in the wilderness. This desolation can be seen as a reversal of the blessings promised to Israel. This prophetic message warns of the physical and spiritual drought that results from turning away from God. Thirst in the Bible often symbolizes a deep spiritual longing. Dying of thirst represents the ultimate consequence of Israel’s separation from God, who is the source of living water. In the New Testament Jesus Christ is the Living Water (Jn 4:10-14), offering eternal satisfaction to those who believe in Him. On the Cross, as He became sin for us, Jesus cried out: “I thirst!” (Jn 19:28). God’s judgment on the sin of spiritual adultery is mixed with mercy. It is a call to repentance, to come back to God, the only Source of Living Water. Selah!

TWO EVILS OF SPIRITUAL ADULTERY

“Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the Lord. “For My people have committed two evils:

They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jer2:12,13).

The heavens are called to be a witness at the terrible behaviour of Isreal, Jehovah’s unfaithful wife. God’s reaction shows the seriousness of turning away from Him. The heavens’ witness is a call to wake Isreal from the sleep of sin, to repent and come back to God. Despite the gravity of their sin, God calls them back to Him. The two evils represent a complete turning away from God, in attitude and actions. Selah!

1-First Evil – Forsaking the only Fountain of Living Water

God says: “They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water.” God is the only Fountain of Living Water, an ever-flowing spring, with pure, fresh, and sufficient water. In ancient Israel, water was a precious resource. By forsaking God Isreal rejects the only reliable, life-giving source. This spiritual rebellion leads to death. This sin is not just neglect but an active abandonment, a personal betrayal against God.

2-Second Evil – Digging broken cisterns that cannot hold water

God says: They have “hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water”. Cisterns are man-made pits to collect rainwater. Digging cisterns is very hard. But all the effort is useless because the cisterns easily crack and leak, leaving only frustration and emptiness. It is foolish to leave an ever-flowing mountain spring of living water to collect water in cracked clay pots. Isreal’s broken cisterns stand for idols, trusting political alliances, man-made systems that can never satisfy. Turning away from God results in inevitable disappointment and spiritual drought. Modern-day “broken cisterns” are Love of money, pleasure, success, power, or anything that takes precedence over God. Despite our failures, God continually invites us back to Him, offering forgiveness and restoration.

Why are these two evils so dangerous? They reverse the created order: people are made to draw life from God not attempt to manufacture containers. These two sins are inseparable: turning away from God inevitably means turning toward idols. Spiritual adultery provokes God’s righteous judgment. Spiritual drought will follow. We also see God’s heartbroken plea for the return of the backsliders. Jesus offers living water from a well that never runs dry, offering eternal life and satisfaction to all who trust in Him (Jn 4:10-14; 7:37,38). Halleluiah!

THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY COME AND DRINK THE LIVING WATER!

“And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev 22:17). The Holy Spirit and the Bride of Christ (the Church) are heaven and earth’s evangelistic choir. They invite everyone to freely take of the living water, fulfilling what Isreal has rejected. We see here the Unity between The Holy Spirit and the Church, the Body or the Bride of Christ. The invitation “Come!” is a call to salvation, to intimacy with God. It is also a longing for Christ’ return when the marriage of the Lamb and His Bride will be celebrated in heaven. Those who hear the call also say “Come!”. The believers invite others to come to Jesus. This is the ministry of evangelism, the great commission, when Jesus commands believers to go and make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19,20). The call is both vertical (toward Christ’s return) and horizontal (toward lost souls). “Come” is present-tense, urgent, open to all. None is excluded. The invitation is purely based on Grace found in Christ alone!

This call reveals the responsibility of believers to spread of the Gospel message. The call to “Come” is not just for the initial hearers but is meant to be passed on, creating a chain of invitation thru all generations. The repeated call to “Come!” shows the urgency of responding to God’s invitation. Today is the day of salvation, and we must not delay in coming to Christ. The people who come are those who experience spiritual thirst. This is a deep desire to know God and His righteousness, to be like Jesus, to receive what only Jesus can give. The promise is that they will be filled and fulfilled with the water of life! Eternal life is God’s gift, freely offered to all who desire it. It cannot be earned but must be received with a humble heart. Salvation is by Grace alone, thru faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. Amen!

Lessons for us: Preach the Gospel to anyone you can. The Holy Spirit will help you! Have hope! Christ can come back even today! Our heavenly wedding can happen today! Repent from spiritual laziness. The invitation is passionate and urgent! Be holy as God is holy! Only a Holy Bride can pay the price for faithfulness as she waits of her Bridegroom’s return! This call gives us courage to persevere during trials. Our faith and joy are not related to circumstances, but to Christ, the Lover of our souls. The invitation is not limited. No sin is too great. The verb is singular! The invitation is personal. The water of Life is eternal Life and total satisfaction. God calls people to Himself. The Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household” (Gen 7:1). Jesus said: “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). Hear the call of both heaven and church. Receive the free-living water. Then echo the cry to a parched world while watching for your soon-appearing Bridegroom. “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20).

AS THE DEER PANTS FOR THE WATER BROOKS

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?” (Ps 42:1-3)

In the Bible, the deer is a clean animal because she has a divided hoof, a symbol of separation from the world. The camel, for example, is an unclean animal because she has an undivided hoof (Lev 11:3,4). She stores water in her hump. The camel does not thirst after water. She represents unbelievers. The deer is thirsty and does not stop until she finds water. She will sooner die looking for water than to stop. The deer does not pant for the stagnant water, for lakes, or cisterns made by men. She pants after running water, like the clean freshwater brooks. In the same way, the Christian desires to hear the living word of God, not stagnant philosophies. It is possible that King David wrote this Psalm when he was running from his rebellious son, Absalom. David was feeling lonely, like a child who lost his father. He did not miss Jerusalem city, or his throne, his crown or his wealth in the palace. He was missing the presence of God in the temple. That is why he was thirsty like a running deer in the forest. Selah!

It is possible that David wrote this Psalm when he was running from his rebellious son, Absalom. He was panting as a deer looking for fresh water. David was not longing after Jerusalem city, after his palace or his throne, after the wives and children he left behind. He was longing after the presence of God found in the Temple, in the Holy of holies. Hunger, thirst, panting, each picture shows bodily desperation that will not be denied. They speak of an inner pain that cannot be satisfied by the material world. To pant after righteousness is to pant for God’s presence, because He alone is perfect righteousness. Come to Jesus and live! Amen!

BLESSED ARE THOSE TO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR GOD

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled” (Matt 5:6. “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (Jn 7:37,38). These words speak of a deep, spiritual longing to be like God. This desperate desire is like hunger and thirst. In biblical times, hunger and thirst were common experiences due to the scarcity of resources, making this call so powerful. In the Bible, righteousness refers to living in God’s presence, in accordance with God’s will and commands. It means to live right and to do right. This longing is not merely a desire for personal moral improvement but a longing for God’s justice and holiness to prevail in a world of sin. The promise is that those who hunger and thirst for God shall be filled. The Greek word used here for “filled” suggests an overflow, a complete and abundant satisfaction, much like a feast. This promise of being filled is a present experience and also, believers’ hope that God’s kingdom will bring righteousness and ultimate justice to all those who have suffered for Christ’ sake. “So, he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev 7:14-17). Amen!

To live righteously means to live a life that pleases God. God Himself created the desire, the longing, the thirst. “It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil 2:13). We cooperate by refusing to satisfy our souls with lesser things, with idols. This is a spiritual law: Whatever feeds me shapes me. Study your spiritual appetite and thirst. Righteousness is not a side dish; it is the main course of a life centred on Christ. Study the Bible and pray daily. Have your own little altar where you go to have your quiet time. Read the Word aloud to yourself. Faith and spiritual appetite come by hearing God’s Word. Ask God to do a deep work in you. Pray: “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Ps 51:10). Fast as much as you can. An empty stomach makes us hungry not only for physical food, but for God. Choose your friends and mentors wisely. Learn from those who have a godly established testimony.  Join a local living church study where righteousness is the common pursuit. Serve God in your local church. Serve people. Be generous with your energy, time and money. Righteousness lived out is love in action. Praise the Lord!

Lessons for us: Learn to identify your spiritual hunger and thirst. Resist numbing it with lesser things. Turn longing to living! Turn panting into prayerful pursuit. Read Scripture daily expecting an encounter with God. Practice obedience to God’s Word. Righteousness grows as our choices submit to God’s revealed will. Attend a local living church. Corporate worship is shared longing. It sharpens individual appetite Trust the promise of fulfillment. Even in seasons of dryness, the promised stands and must be fulfilled. Worship The Lord!