Betrayal Hurts
“But they, like Adam, have violated the covenant; there they have betrayed me.” Hosea 6:7 csb
Betrayal stands as one of life's most excruciating moments. Why does it inflict such deep wounds? Perhaps because it shatters trust and exploits vulnerability. In the Bible, following Adam's fall in the garden of Eden, the Lord's mentions of him become rare. This realization struck me while reading Hosea recently. This book beautifully showcases God's enduring love for an unfaithful people.
In Hosea 6, God reveals Adam’s sin as an utter betrayal, violating the covenant they had. We know from Genesis that God and Adam were close. It describes how God walked with Adam in the cool of the day; Adam knew the sound of His footsteps. Yet, everything changed when Adam and Eve chose to obey Satan and themselves over maintaining that intimate relationship with God.
Later, in another garden—Gethsemane—Jesus too faced betrayal and abandonment by His closest friends. Perhaps you've experienced such a rupture in a relationship you cherished. God empathizes with you deeply. He understands betrayal well. In Hosea, however, we witness God's remarkable character—Agape love—as He seeks to restore His covenant relationship with Israel. Jesus, the expressed image of the invisible God, similarly seeks to reconcile humanity with God. Even after His resurrection, He called back those who had abandoned Him, restored them and commissioned them!
God's forgiveness, love, and relentless pursuit of us shine through the book of Hosea. Genesis tells of Adam hiding from God, and the Gospels tells of Judas fleeing and never returning to Jesus. If you've turned away from an intimate relationship with Jesus, know that today, you don't have to hide, He calls you back to Himself. If you doubt this, read Hosea and discover the depth of His love for His children.
Agape,
Frank
Speaking The Truth Even When No One Is Listening
Speak my words to them whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious. Ezekiel 2:7 csb
Every passing day, I find myself increasingly unphased by the falsehoods permeating American culture. We now inhabit a nation where truth is subjective, molded to individual desires. While America boasts freedom, the pursuit of honesty has become a rare virtue. This mirrors the era of the ancient prophets like Ezekiel. When God tasked Ezekiel with delivering His message, his responsibility was clear: proclaim the Word, regardless of the peoples reception.
In our current climate, as darkness seems to deepen across America, we too bear the divine commission to speak truth boldly. Jesus declared in John 17:17, "Your Word is Truth." I believe we are the final generation before the Lord's return, entrusted with the sacred duty to uphold truth, even in a world that has turned a deaf ear.
Jesus, is the embodiment of Truth in John 14:6, and holds the key to salvation. Without Him, the world faces certain peril. Later in Ezekiel, God designates his prophet as a "Watchman" (Ezekiel 3:17), tasked with alerting the people to impending danger. Should they ignore his warnings, their fate rests on their own shoulders. However, should he neglect his duty, their blood is on his hands.
Similarly, we are watchmen to the world, called to proclaim the coming judgment. Whether others heed or disregard our message is beyond our control. Our mandate is simple: to faithfully convey the truth of God's Word, knowing that obedience to His call is our highest priority. So whether they listen or not speak His Truth, speak Jesus.
Agape,
Frank