Moreover, when Ahaz gathered together the utensils of the house of God, he cut the utensils of the house of God in pieces; and he closed the doors of the house of the Lord and made altars for himself in every corner of Jerusalem. (II Chronicles28:24)
We begin our week with great promise. In spite of all the devastation Israel faces, God makes a declaration of hope. The people of Zebulun and Naphtali will be the first to see the great Light, the Messiah who will rule His eternal government in great peace. A Child will be born; a Son will be given! Joy, fairness and justice will mark His rule forever. But before they see this great One, death and destruction resulting from God’s anger looms on the horizon.
Like a single golden thread in a garment, the hope of Messiah is periodically woven into the fabric of Isaiah’s prophecies. Israel will be totally cut down to the nub, but the Branch from Jesse’s stump will shoot up and grow.
In spite of the constant warning, Israel continues on its destructive path, with Judah following not far behind. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, along comes King Ahaz of Judah. Not only does he encourage people to sin, he replaces God’s altar with a replica of the pagan altar he saw in Assyria. One would wonder how a nation could be so blind, or a king so ignorant. But we watch the steady dimming of light right here in my nation. A nation who once understood that the God of Israel was the foundation on which we were built, now argues over taking “one nation under God” out of its pledge of allegiance, and “in God we trust” off her currency. Nations who shut YHWH out, soon find that the doors of the Temple become closed! Churches that are unwilling to compromise the gospel are forced to go underground. For far too many, comfort and conformity are more desirable than walking God’s narrow path.
On Thursday we meet a most unusual man whose desire to get people to hear God’s word and understand His heart goes beyond natural logic. Hosea is willing to endure heartbreak and rejection at the command of the Lord if it will bring people to repentance. Through the vivid picture painted by Hosea’s harlot wife, God portrays His love for His people and their unfaithfulness. More amazing than the story of Hosea’s unfaithful wife, is the declaration of God’s unfailing love! As guilty as Israel is, God will not give up until He has worked repentance into His people.
On Friday we will stop by the courthouse where Israel’s deeds will be judged. The indictments against her are numerous: unfaithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God her husband, covenant breaker, murder, stealing, adultery, and violence. Her guilt can no longer be covered up! And the root of her guilt is exposed – the priests have led the way! The priests, leaders and royal family must bear the responsibility for what they have done. It was their duty to lead the people into an understanding of God’s ways, but their desire for money and fame was stronger than their desire for righteousness.
We end our week hearing Hosea’s mournful cry to come and return to the Lord. If only the people would listen, they would find a merciful God, ready to open His arms of forgiveness and welcome them into His house. But man has shut the door and only man can open it again.
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