Meat for the Hungry

  For the past year, my Sunday School Class has been doing a verse by verse study of the book of Hosea. It’s a short book, only 14 chapters, but there is much for us to learn. Next Sunday, we will begin Chapter 13 and in my opinion, this is the most important chapter. Why you ask? First, because the Gospel is clearly presented. Second, it shows the power and majesty of our Triune God. Third, the poignant fact that help for this doomed northern kingdom of Israel is found in no one else but the Lord their God. And lastly, because of the strong parallel to our nation.  God used Hosea to “act out” His love for His chosen people, the whole house of Israel. Yet since the Cross of Jesus Christ and the other sheep our Lord continues to bring into the fold, [1] the spiritual lessons of Hosea also apply to us.

With Israel’s deliverance secured and their memorials in place, the journey continued. “Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near, for God said, ‘Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt. So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea…” (Ex. 13:17-18a) I’ve heard the walking distance from Egypt to Canaan could have taken only eleven days. If true, Israel might have been in their new home in less than two weeks.  However, God knew war and giants awaited them and they were not ready. So God lead them the best way, the way He wanted them to go.