Pursue Love and Justice

International Sunday School May 31, 2020 Spring Quarter #14

Hosea 11:1-2  “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.  (2)  But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.

Hosea 11:7-10  My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them.  (8)  “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.  (9)  I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man– the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.  (10)  They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.

Hosea 12:1-2  Ephraim feeds on the wind; he pursues the east wind all day and multiplies lies and violence. He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.  (2)  The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.

Hosea 12:6-14  But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.  (7)  The merchant uses dishonest scales and loves to defraud.  (8)  Ephraim boasts, “I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin.”  (9)  “I have been the LORD your God ever since you came out of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of your appointed festivals.  (10)  I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them.”  (11)  Is Gilead wicked? Its people are worthless! Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Their altars will be like piles of stones on a plowed field.  (12)  Jacob fled to the country of Aram; Israel served to get a wife, and to pay for her he tended sheep.  (13)  The LORD used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt, by a prophet he cared for him.  (14)  But Ephraim has aroused his bitter anger; his Lord will leave on him the guilt of his bloodshed and will repay him for his contempt.


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