Chasing the wind, In Today’s study we would be looking at Hosea 12,

In this study, the tools we would use for this study are 

1. Who, What, When, Where, and How tool
2. What does it mean? 
3. How does it apply to me today?

So let’s dig in and turn the bible to Hosea 12

Who, What, When, Where, and How tool

Ephraim, which is a tribe in Israel, chases the wind with increasing lies and violence.

Jacob to  be punished according to his deceptive deeds. Here God is representing the choices and the repercussions of Jacob to the children of Israel. Jacob’s struggle from the womb, to the contention he had with his brother Easu and also with the Lord God Almighty.

Israel is admonished to return to God, maintain love and justice within its borders and wait for God always.

Israel uses dishonesty and defrauding ways to gain wealth and even boast of  these acts. Saying their ill gotten wealth is their  protection.

God reiterates that He is their God since Israel came out of Egypt and He will humble them again to living in tents again.

Gilead has become worthless through their idol worship. The place where they worship these idols will become a pile of stones.

Israel is reminded of her history; Jacob ran away from his actions and tened sheep to get a wife. And also of Moses, the prophet God used to lead Israel out of Egypt.

Ephraim will be repaid the guilt of bloodshed

What does (this passage ) mean? 

Ephraim chases the wind with increasing lies and violence. Ephrahim pursuit of riches and money at whatever the cost even if it meant committing violence acts.

God reminded Israel that Hebrought them out of Egypt and journeyed in the wilderness living in a tent. God will  humble them again to living in tents again.

The nation of Israel has now been living in its cities for many generations.  For God to make them live in tents again was going to be humbling to Israel. Has Israel gotten too big for her shoes? Has pride entered her heart that she would need to be humble to come to her senses?

Gilead has become worthless through their idol worship. The place where they worship these idols will become a pile of stones. An event to show them that idols cannot save them.

Israel is reminded of her history; Jacob ran away from his actions and tened sheep to get a wife. A reminder of the repercussion of Jacobs actions of deception

How does it apply to me today?

We may sometimes feel that justice moves at the pace of a snail but it eventually comes. In this passage we see wealth being acquired by violence, lies, and fraud. And also that those ill gotten wealth is like the chasing of the wind. The ill gotten wealth will not endure and we see in this passage several times that God reminded Israel that their actions always have its repercussions. The repercussions of fraud, dishonesty and violence is judgement from God. 

The psalm 73 also reminds us not to look or envy those who get wealth dishonestly because that wealth is not sustainable and at the end of it is destruction of both the wealth and judgment for the person who perpeuated the violence, lies and fraud. We hear of all forms of scam and it feels that who is going to bring justice when it seems these scammers are getting away.

Now looking to ourselves, how are we acquiring our wealth? Is it honestly or dishonestly? Is winning the deal really a win if it is an ill gotten deal or wealth?

…

Pride they say goes before a fall. 

Israel had become so prideful that God was going to humble her. From her houses in the cities to living in tents. Proverbs also warns in Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction

God had no problem with Israel’s achievement because He was the one that gave Israel the ability to make wealth. God gives us the ability to succeed but what is the state of our hearts when we have succeeded at something? Is it one of pride thinking we are all in all or is it one of gratitude to God.

A heart of gratitude reminds us of our dependence on God and keeps  pride out of our hearts.

Stay blessed.