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“The more they increased, the more they sinned against me;
I will change their glory into shame.
They feed on the sins of my people
and relish their wickedness.
And it will be: Like people, like priests.
I will punish both of them for their ways
and repay them for their deeds.
They will eat but not have enough;
they will engage in prostitution but not flourish,
because they have deserted the Lord to give themselves to prostitution.” Hosea 4:7-10
Imagine a young boy, Tommy, who loved nothing more than his grandmother’s apple pie. Every Sunday, she’d bake one just for him. At first, a single slice was enough to make his heart sing. But as time went on, Tommy wanted more. Two slices, then three, then half the pie. Soon, he was sneaking into the kitchen, eating whole pies in secret. Yet, strangely, the more he ate, the less satisfied he felt. The very thing he loved began to make him sick.
This, my friends, is the picture God paints through Hosea of His people Israel. Like Tommy with his grandmother’s pies, the Israelites had been blessed abundantly. But instead of gratitude leading to faithfulness, their increase led to sin. “The more they increased, the more they sinned against me,” God laments.
It’s a tragedy as old as Eden – the human heart’s tendency to turn God’s blessings into occasions for sin. Like a child given a beautiful garden who uses the flowers to make mud pies, we often misuse God’s gifts. We take the talents He’s given us and use them for selfish gain. We enjoy the abundance of His creation but forget the Creator.
But here’s where the story takes a sharp turn. God says, “I will change their glory into shame.” It’s as if He’s saying, “If you won’t appreciate the pie, I’ll take it away.” It sounds harsh, doesn’t it? But consider a loving parent who takes away a toy that a child is using to hurt others or himself. Sometimes, loss is the only way to bring us back to our senses.
The metaphor shifts then to hunger: “They will eat but not have enough.” Have you ever tried to satisfy your thirst with saltwater? The more you drink, the thirstier you become. Sin is like that – a false promise of satisfaction that only increases our spiritual hunger.
And then comes perhaps the most sobering line: “Like people, like priests.” Leaders, take heed! When we who are called to guide God’s flock stray, we lead others astray too. Our influence ripples out, for good or ill.
But here’s the good news, hidden like a sweet kernel in this tough husk of prophecy: God cares. He’s not an indifferent cosmic force, but a passionate, personal God who feels the sting of our betrayal. His judgments aren’t the cold calculations of a distant deity, but the discipline of a heartbroken Father.
So what do we do with this? How do we avoid the fate of ancient Israel?
- Recognize the source of true satisfaction: Like Tommy needed to remember his grandmother’s love was sweeter than her pies, we need to remember that God Himself, not His gifts, is our true source of joy.
- Use blessings responsibly: Ask yourself, “Am I using God’s gifts to draw closer to Him and serve others, or am I squandering them on selfish pursuits?”
- Lead by example: Whether you’re a parent, a boss, or just a friend, remember that your actions influence others. Strive to be a godly example.
- Embrace godly discipline: If you find God removing things from your life, don’t despair. It might be His loving way of bringing you back to Himself.
- Return to the Lord: No matter how far you’ve strayed, remember that God’s heart is always open to those who return to Him in sincere repentance.
Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we’ve turned Your blessings into occasions for sin. Help us to find our satisfaction in You alone. When we stray, bring us back, even if it means loving discipline. Make us leaders who guide others to You, not away from You. And thank You that no matter how far we’ve wandered, Your arms are always open to welcome us home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Remember, our God is not a harsh taskmaster, but a loving Father. His discipline, though sometimes painful, is always purposeful. Learn to hunger and thirst for righteousness, finding in Him the satisfaction our hearts truly crave.