devotional post # 2116

Hosea 7:11-13

Hos 7:11 Ephraim has become like a dove, naive and without sense, calling to Egypt, going to Assyria.
Hos 7:12 While they are going, I will spread over them my net; I will bring them down like birds of the sky; I will discipline them whenever I hear that they are flocking together.
Hos 7:13 Tragedy is coming to them, because they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against me! I want to redeem them, but they are speaking lies against me.

united we fall

Birds use numbers as part of their defense strategy, but humans have found a way to use that strategy against them. We spread nets over the flocking birds, and so catch them. Hosea points out that Israel has chosen a similar strategy for their protection. They congregate together and choose to ally with neighboring enemies (Egypt and Assyria) for their protection. But the LORD said it will not work. You cannot unite against God’s will.

LORD, we recognize how silly it has been for us to seek safety from those around us. We seek redemption from above.