In this chapter, the Lord indicates that He collects and stores our sins. Here’s the chapter in its entirety: “In the past when the tribe of Ephraim spoke, the people shook with fear because the other Israelite tribes looked up to them. But the people of Ephraim sinned by worshiping Baal and thus sealed their destruction. Now they keep on sinning by making silver idols to worship – images shaped skillfully with human hands. “Sacrifice to these,” they cry, “and kiss the calf idols!” Therefore, they will disappear like the morning mist, like dew in the morning sun, like chaff blown by the wind, like smoke from a chimney.
“I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from your slavery in Egypt. You have no God but me, for there is no other savior. I took care of you in the wilderness, in that dry and thirsty land. But when you had eaten and were satisfied, then you became proud and forgot me. So now I will attack you like a lion, or like a leopard that lurks along the road. I will rip you to pieces like a bear whose cubs have been taken away. I will tear you apart and devour you like a hungry lion.” (Wow! All of this punishment because the people started worshiping other gods and forgot about the Lord! We are a foolish people!)
“You are about to be destroyed, O Israel, though I am your helper. Where now is your king? Why don’t you call on him for help? Where are all the leaders of the land? You asked for them, now let them save you! In my anger I gave you kings, and in my fury I took them away.”
“The sins of Ephraim have been collected and stored away for punishment. (Wow! We can’t do anything about our past sins, but we can reduce our future ones.) The people have been offered new birth, but they are like a child who resists being born. How stubborn they are! How foolish! Should I ransom them from the grave? Should I redeem them from death? O death, bring forth your terrors! O grave, bring forth your plagues! For I will not relent! Ephraim was the most fruitful of all his brothers, but the east wind – a blast from the Lord – will arise in the desert. It will blow hard against the people of Ephraim, drying up their land. All their flowing springs and wells will disappear. Every precious thing they have will be plundered and carried away. The people of Samaria must bear the consequences of their guilt because they rebelled against their God. They will be killed by an invading army, their little ones dashed to death against the ground, their pregnant women ripped open by swords.” (Hosea 13) (Wow! We are fools for rebelling against the Lord. Wake up, people!)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us see our foolishness, and create in us a desire to know, love, serve, and worship you! And, Lord, lead us to repentance so our sins can be wiped away. Lord, we love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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