They will go with their flocks and herds to seek Yahweh, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them. They have dealt treacherously with the Lord, for they have given birth to illegitimate children.

Hosea 5:6-7 (LSB).

Read more: Illegitimate Children – Part 1a

God is all seeing, He knows all things, and He says, “I know Ephraim and Israel is not hidden from Me; for now, O Ephraim, you have played the harlot; Israel has defiled itself.” Read Hosea 5:3 (LSB). Sometimes, we think God can be placated with our religious, ritualistic practices. Let us do this little exercise, insert your name where Ephraim is, and the text will read like this, ‘I know you Ricky, nothing is hidden from me.’ Listen to this, “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their fear of Me is in the command of men learned by rote.” Read Isaiah 29:13 (LSB). We seem to perform a lot of religious rituals, instituted by men, as a means to badger God. But we must understand that God demands holiness, because He is a Holy.

Anything born out of idolatrous worship is an abomination to God. Here is a question I would like you to consider. Are you in an idolatrous relationship with God? Listen to this, “No one of illegitimate birth shall enter the assembly of Yahweh; even to the tenth generation, none of his seed shall enter the assembly of Yahweh.” Read Deuteronomy 23:2 (LSB). Beloved, we should not attend or worship at just any place of so-called worship [pause and calmly think]. The Word of God is not necessarily preached at every Church [pause and calmly think]. See what the Bible says, “But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commands of men.” Read Matthew 15:9 (LSB).

“They will go with their flocks and herds to seek Yahweh, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them.” Read Hosea 5:6 (LSB). In other words, their daily rituals, like sacrifices, were rejected by God. Beloved, we can be engaged in our ritualistic religious obligations, but it yields nothing because God has withdrawn from them. One can religiously go to Church and probably serve in a department but their heart is careless towards God. Those sacrifices, the Lord will not accept.

Listen to King David’s prayer, “For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise, I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” Read Psalm 51:16-17 (LSB). This is some prayer, is it not?

We write. You read. Be encouraged.

Enfants illégitimes – Partie 1a

Ils iront avec leurs troupeaux à la recherche de Yahvé, mais ils ne le trouveront pas ; Il s’en est retiré. Ils ont traité traîtreusement avec le Seigneur, car ils ont donné naissance à des enfants illégitimes.

Osée 5 :6-7 (LSB).

Continue reading “Illegitimate Children – Part 1a” →