Daily Devotions
Hosea
"And make her like a wilderness"
Text: Hosea 2:3
LIKE A WILDERNESS
Israel had not contemplated on what life would be like if God were to withdraw His presence.
“Lest I strip her naked
And expose her, as in the day she was born,
And make her like a wilderness,
And set her like a dry land,
And slay her with thirst.”
Hosea 2:3
1. “Lest I strip her naked and expose her, as in the day she was born”
a) A baby is born without anything to adorn her.
b) Israel had grown too comfortable with her wealth and comforts of life.
c) She had forgotten her humble roots.
d) She had forgotten too many things!
i) The time when the nation was enslaved by the Pharaoh in Egypt.
ii) The days of hardship and anguish of heart.
iii) The years of trudging in the wilderness.
2. “And make her like a wilderness”
a) Israel had forgotten what their sojourn in the wilderness was like.
b) Israel had forgotten that the Lord was the One who had so richly blessed her.
i) They had beautiful homes and were wealthy (Deuteronomy 8:12-13).
ii) Their heart was now lifted up and they had forgotten God (Deuteronomy 8:14).
iii) In the wilderness, there would be fiery serpents and scorpions (Deuteronomy 8:15).
3. “And set her like a dry land”
a) It would be a land of thirst (Deuteronomy 8:15).
b) No water is available readily.
c) Israel can shrivel up and become like a dry and thirsty land.
d) All it would take would be for God to withdraw His presence and blessing.
4. “And slay her with thirst”
a) There would be physical thirst.
b) A severe drought would cause poor man and beast to perish.
c) There would also be spiritual thirst.
The soul would also dry up and die! God’s presence is of great and vital significance!