Morning: We continued the Redeeming the Harlot Bride series this morning. Drawing from Hosea 1:10-2:23 we looked at how the Lord was going to bring Israel through trouble to hope. Hosea's prophecy begins with a promise of restoration, centered around to reunited of the fracture kingdoms, Israel and Judea, and the appointment of one King. The promise focuses on the reversal of fortunes for the people: Jezreel, previously spoken of as a place of judgment, will become a fruitful valley; Lo-Ruhamah (Not Loved) will be come Loved (Ruhamah); Lo-Ammi (Not My People) will become My People (Ammi).
After promising restoration the Lord declared a time of trouble would come upon the harlot bride. She would be cut off from her lovers, stripped bare, and rejected. The difficulty would expose the false "love" of her lovers, teach her who truly had provided for her, and drive her back to her husband. The difficulty would be like the Vally of Achor (Trouble), but when she had come through that valley she would have hope.
The Lord not only promise correction, but reconciliation. He calls her out of her desolation, and woos her with gentle words. He promised to betroth her to himself, in righteousness and justice (his not hers, she has none), in love and compassion (again his, not hers) and in faithfulness. He will remove from her the name of her lovers. This expression, points to the giving of a new heart with new affections. He will present her to himself chaste and spotless, cleansed and free.
Evening: (5:00 p.m.) We did our second VBS clinic. The theme was Worship him and came out of Matthew 14:22-33. The life truth is because Jesus is the Son of God, we should worship him. (6:00p.m.) We had business meeting.
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