STUBBORN
Hosea 4:15-17
" 'Though you, Israel, play the harlot, let not Judah offend. Do not come up to Gilgal, nor go up to Beth Aven, nor swear an oath saying, "As the LORD lives" – for Israel is like a stubborn calf; now the LORD will let them forage like a lamb in open country. Ephraim is joined to idols. Let him alone.' "
The prophet warned Judah to not become like Israel. (Gilgal was a place of wickedness and false worship – Hosea 9:15; 12:11). Israel was stubborn and refused correction, like a calf who refuses to be led. She was like a child who rejects his father's help and says, "I'll know what I'm doing. I can do it myself." So God said, "Let him alone." But Israel would metaphorically wander in a wilderness like a stray lamb, searching for sustenance without a shepherd to lead them into green pastures. God will not force his will on anyone. When I stubbornly reject His way, He says, "Fine. If you want to do it your way, I'll let you." The open country may seem like freedom, but that freedom is not all it is cracked up to be. It ends up a barren, dry, and thirsty place away from God. I need to listen to God's warning to Judah – "Don't be stubborn."
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: When I choose to reject God's way, He will not violate my stubborn will, and He will let me wander in the wilderness.
[end]
Have a submissive day. Love you.
Hosea 4:15-17
" 'Though you, Israel, play the harlot, let not Judah offend. Do not come up to Gilgal, nor go up to Beth Aven, nor swear an oath saying, "As the LORD lives" – for Israel is like a stubborn calf; now the LORD will let them forage like a lamb in open country. Ephraim is joined to idols. Let him alone.' "
The prophet warned Judah to not become like Israel. (Gilgal was a place of wickedness and false worship – Hosea 9:15; 12:11). Israel was stubborn and refused correction, like a calf who refuses to be led. She was like a child who rejects his father's help and says, "I'll know what I'm doing. I can do it myself." So God said, "Let him alone." But Israel would metaphorically wander in a wilderness like a stray lamb, searching for sustenance without a shepherd to lead them into green pastures. God will not force his will on anyone. When I stubbornly reject His way, He says, "Fine. If you want to do it your way, I'll let you." The open country may seem like freedom, but that freedom is not all it is cracked up to be. It ends up a barren, dry, and thirsty place away from God. I need to listen to God's warning to Judah – "Don't be stubborn."
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: When I choose to reject God's way, He will not violate my stubborn will, and He will let me wander in the wilderness.
[end]
Have a submissive day. Love you.
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