Daily Devotions

Hosea

Hosea 
Day 
Day 160

"The wind of the LORD"

Text: Hosea 13:15

THE FRUIT THAT WOULD NOT LAST

Israel had survived against all odds. It survived the reigns of 19 wicked rulers. But it had not reckoned with the fact that the LORD would punish them for their sins.

“Though he is fruitful among his brethren,
An east wind shall come;
The wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness.
Then his spring shall become dry,
And his fountain shall be dried up.
He shall plunder the treasury of every desirable prize.”
Hosea 13:15

1. “Though he is fruitful among his brethren”

a) Israel had been fruitful while other nations struggled with many problems.
b) It managed to survive and thrive despite difficulties faced.

2. “An east wind shall come; the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness”

a) The east wind was a dry wind that came from the wilderness.
b) This would be brought to bear on the land of Israel.

3. The consequences of the dry wind

a) It would have disastrous effects.
b) Two things were highlighted:
i) The springs in the land would dry up.
ii) The fountains would also become dry.

4. “He shall plunder the treasury of every desirable prize”

a) The dry east wind was a reference to the Assyrians.
b) They would suffer defeat in the hands of the mighty Assyrians.

5. What Assyria would do

a) It would defeat Israel.
b) It would take away all desirable treasures of the land.
c) No one would be spared.

6. The protection of the LORD

a) This would be taken away.
b) Israel would be defenseless.
c) It would be at the mercy of the invading Assyrian army.
d) Israel, with all its wealth and schemes would not be able to avoid war and defeat.