Daily Devotions
Hosea
"Samaria is held guilty"
Text: Hosea 13:16
GUILTY OF REBELLION
One reason was highlighted by the prophet Hosea. Israel was guilty of many sins. But if there was one particular sin that stood out, it would be the sin of rebellion.
“Samaria is held guilty,
For she has rebelled against her God.
They shall fall by the sword,
Their infants shall be dashed in pieces,
And their women with child ripped open.”
Hosea 13:16
1. “Samaria is held guilty”
a) The conscience of the nation would bear witness.
b) The victims who had suffered terribly would also bear sad and solemn witness.
c) The prophets of God testified and warned the nation of dire consequences.
d) The LORD Himself would pronounce Samaria guilty of many crimes and sins.
2. “For she has rebelled against her God”
a) The prophet Samuel spoke to Saul, the first king of Israel concerning the sin of rebellion.
i) Rebellion is compared to the sin of witchcraft. 1 Samuel 15:23a
ii) Stubbornness is compared to idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:23b
iii) Rebellion is rejection of the word of the LORD. 1 Samuel 15:23c
b) Israel was guilty of repeated rebellion against the LORD.
i) It remained stubborn.
ii) It continued to reject the word of the LORD proclaimed by His prophets.
3. Dire Consequences
a) The rebellious citizens:
They shall fall by the sword.
b) The innocent infants:
Their infants would not be spared. They would be brutally and cruelly dashed to pieces.
c) The cruelty that womenfolk would suffer:
Their women with child would be ripped open.
THE WORD OF THE LORD
The word of the LORD was not taken seriously at all. The consequences were terrible.