December 7, 2015

DECEMBER 7

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Hosea 6-9

So, if you understand God's pattern in Hosea, He gives a pronouncement of judgment followed by a declaration of salvation and hope for the millennial future of Israel. Since we're reading a one-year Bible this pattern is broken. For example, today we will begin with the salvation and hope declaration from yesterday's judgment.

Just for your information, the third cycle of judgment/salvation is: 4:1-5:14 (judgment) and 5:15-6:3 (salvation). Today we'll begin a fourth cycle of judgment (6:4-11:7) and salvation and hope (11:8-11). Tomorrow we'll finish Hosea and it will end with hope.

You might not get all of the imagery or nuances from Hosea or the other minor prophets, but at least when you get to heaven and you bump into these guys, you can say you read their books. And for here and now, the Spirit will give you what you need, this year and in the years to come.

One thing to think about as you read this is that what we have written here were probably different sermons or messages that Hosea gave to the people. Can you imagine what it would have been like to hear this stuff? At first some people might have made fun of him because his wife was a whore, but once they understood that she stood as an image for the people, I'll bet the snickering ended. After all the years of God working with Israel, heroically trying to win the people back, God is expressing through Hosea what it has felt like trying to lead these people, and mankind in general.

Yet, in the end there is salvation; therefore, it is very intriguing that Hosea is quoted in a couple of interesting places in the New Testament having to do with God's plan of redemption.

Hosea 6

Vs. 1-3 This is the hope from the previous declaration of judgment we read yesterday.

V. 1 Notice how God had just talked about tearing Ephraim and Judah like a lion, but now God will bind up what He has torn.

V. 2 This is an interesting reference to being raised on the third day. I'll bet that is exactly what it means.

V. 3 This is a spectacular verse that will be on the lips and in the hearts of that generation in the Tribulation that turns to the Lord. You might wonder how this supernatural change will come upon Israel. Compare Isaiah 55:10-11 with this verse.

Vs. 4-11 Judgment for Ephraim (the northern kingdom) and for Judah (the southern kingdom).

V. 6 Notice what God really wanted. This is the same as the first commandment, to love God. Also, this is quoted by Jesus to the Pharisees of another adulterous generation at Matthew's party in Matthew 9:13, Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

V. 11 This could be pointing to the fact that Judah came out of their exile, or it could be referring to the place of eminence this tribe will have when the Kingdom is established.

Hosea 7

This seems to be exclusively written to the northern kingdom. Notice that God mentions their lack of crying out to or seeking the Lord. This is a sign of the depth of their blindness, especially when you consider that the ministries of Elijah and Elisha were exclusively to the northern kingdom. Along with this lack of crying out was their hopeless religious confusion. They thought that crying out involved burning incense on hills and "bowing down" to Baal.

Vs. 1-7 They were totally corrupted, like bread that was totally leavened.

V. 7 Not one king of the north was a godly man. Notice that none of them called upon God.

Vs. 8-10 Notice that you can see a pattern, in that this block begins with a declaration about Ephraim and ends with their lack of returning or seeking or knowing God. So, what does God focus on here?

Vs. 11-13 What is God's focus here? What do you think God meant that they spoke lies against Him?

Vs. 14-16 This seems to summarize this lack of seeking God. Notice v. 14. They cry out to God, but what they really desire is a return of wine and grain. They are not crying out for Him or to Him alone. I think that's a lot like us. If someone asked us what could happen that would really make us happy and feel good, it would look like a million dollars, recognition, computers, cars, media stuff, a house, etc. Could any of us be happy in a hut with the presence of God, but no food that we knew of for the next day - no job, no insurance, just the presence of God? Especially in the west, our spirituality is thinner than we think. We would be crying out like these people and our desire wouldn't be for God per se; it would be for the "stuff" of God.

Hosea 8

The emphasis of this part of God's judgment seems to be how the people outwardly claimed to know God, but never followed His Word.

Vs. 1-3 This is interesting because it is saying that the sign of judgment is in the sky above them. Crying out with idolatrous and adulterous hearts seems to be the focus. The more I read what Jesus said, the more I find Him telling people not just to hear what He said, but to do it.

Vs. 4-6 They chose their own kings and gods according to their desires. How could they say they knew God?

Vs. 7-10 The first part of this verse is famous. They would not only reap what they sowed, but God would punish them by intensifying what they wanted. If they wanted to go away from God, He would show them the result. Without His care and protection, there would be no food. Not only that, the countries to which they ran for help would use and disappoint them.

Vs. 11-14 What a funny contrast, even though they were sacrificing, they didn't understand God or His Word.

V. 14 This is what the people sought instead of God to make them feel secure. God would remove everything, until eventually, He was all that remained for them.

Hosea 9

At the root of their rebellion was the satisfying of their needs. Again, it is interesting how much teaching Jesus gave to His disciples on not being anxious about life, seeking Him first and being rich toward God.

Notice how often the mention of wine, food and offerings is mixed together. They were religious, but if God is only a tool for us to get fed and have comfort and satisfy our desires, our desires are really our god. And God isn't fooled by our religiousness.

Vs. 1-3 This is what drove their religion and their actions, a prostitute's wages, food and clothing. Notice that Ephraim returned to Egypt looking for help, but was dragged away to Assyria. Even those who ran to Egypt for help were eventually confronted and killed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

V. 4 God is not mocked. He wouldn't accept their worship.

Vs. 5-6 In fleeing the Assyrians, the Egyptians would take them and abuse them.

Vs. 7-8 In the day of their need, their lying prophets were no help to them.

Vs. 9-10 The seeds of their corruption were seen back in their history. Gibeah was the town in Benjamin, at the end of Judges, filled with homosexual men who killed the traveler's wife. This launched a civil war.

Baal-peor came while the people were still being led by Moses in the wilderness, when the presence of God was visible in the cloud and the manna was being given every morning. Sin is a spiritual disease in us that defies every rational thought.

Vs. 11-17 Notice that this is all directed to Ephraim, the northern kingdom, and the result will be exile. As far as we know, these people were lost to Israel forever. There were some of the people, the remnant, whom God might have kept track of, but it seems from Chronicles, that the only Israelites who survived from all of the tribes were those who heeded warnings like this and moved south into the land of Judah. Those people went into exile with the southern kingdom into Babylon and were restored to Israel.

When you read what God says about Israel, you realize that they are representing all men. We are all fallen and we are all this sinful. Sin is awful and utterly awesome in us. Sin will dominate us if we desire anything other than God, and the only way we can desire God is through Jesus. In Jesus we are forgiven, and the Holy Spirit gives us a newly created life, residing in us so we can follow Christ. Israel tried to fulfill their desires and passions and sort of give lip service to God. Sin is too powerful for that kind of life and deception. This is the same for us even as Christians. If we desire anything more than Jesus, it takes over. When Jesus told His disciples to take heed and beware of all coveting of anything, He wasn't being religious, but vitally real. He was trying to protect them and us. The reformers said "Sola Scriptura" (only the Scriptures). As disciples our cry has to be, "only Jesus." Our focus on Him and following Him in His Word and in the harvest is the only way we can really live to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength and with all our mind. Paul told Timothy this in 1 Timothy 6:12, Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. If we don't take hold of it, something else takes hold of us.

3 John

V. 1 From v. 5, it appears that Gaius was a respected man in the church and had some influence in terms of leadership and making disciples.

Vs. 2-4 Probably as a result of Gaius, there are people walking in the truth. This guy is someone John knows and trusts.

Vs. 5-8 As in all the churches, there were traveling preachers and workers who were passing through and going on to other lands. The gospel was new and there was a world to reach. Gaius was one of those people who supported this work, in spite of false teachers.

Vs. 9-10 Here is the reason this is being sent to Gaius and not the entire church. Diotrephes was stopping the church from supporting outsiders. Under Diotrephes, the church was becoming an isolated fortress. It appears that Diotrephes was overly conservative and held a very self-centered, authoritarian view of leadership. In the early church, there was a spectrum of error, but most of the deep problems faced by Paul came from the very conservative, exclusive, law-driven side of the church. It seems that Diotrephes was so law and authority-oriented, that he didn't even recognize the authority of the apostle John.

Vs. 11-12 This is the other reason John is writing Gaius personally, so that he would welcome and help Demetrius. In fact, some think it was Demetrius who carried this letter.

Vs. 13-15 Again, this letter was intentionally short because of the need for Demetrius to be helped, and because John was hoping to come personally and tend to the situation.

We are used to seeing Paul having to defend himself and his apostleship, but even John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was not counted as worthy by a guy like Diotrephes. Sometimes the church is just more fun than you can stand. Thankfully we know the Lord of the church.

Psalm 126

This song, sung by the worshippers coming to Jerusalem, could have been written during many periods of Israel's troubled history. Since the psalm is talking about the fortunes of Zion being restored and the city being a testimony among the nations, it could be that this song was sung by those who returned from the Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel.

Vs. 1-3 I can't imagine what it was like for these people who returned, or even for a man like Daniel, to know that the Lord had allowed the people to return to Jerusalem. It was a miracle.

Vs. 4-6 These verses sound like what Jesus said to His disciples in John 4:36, Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. Today we work in the harvest following Him, denying ourselves, taking up our cross, choosing to hunger now, being poor now and mourning now for this lost world. Someday we will fully understand the work that He did through us, by making disciples and bringing in the sheaves, and we will rejoice.

Proverbs 29:12-14

I guess if I had to put all three verses together, I would camp on v. 13. The poor man and the oppressor owe God faithfulness, since He gives both of them their life and understanding. In God, they are both equal and so, I guess, the oppressor ought to be humbled.

To deny our debt of gratitude would be v. 12, with the result that light leaves the land and it is ruled by darkness, like in Ephraim, the northern kingdom.

To respond in faithfulness to God is v. 14, with the result, as God showed to David, that God will further bless that faithfulness. Our real faith and trust in God is seen honoring God in the small things. The Lord notices. (Luke 16:10)

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link ^{http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/.} If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find it in my book:  Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback to ^{dgkachikis@gmail.com.}

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to ^{https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.} You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

December 6, 2015

DECEMBER 6

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

So, today you begin and end 2 John, the 24th book of the New Testament and you continue in Hosea, the 28th book of the Old Testament. That is a major achievement on your part.

Regarding Hosea, remember where he comes in the history of Israel. Solomon had introduced idolatry, spiritual adultery, into the veins of Israel at the end of his reign. God broke the kingdom into two parts, Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The north went completely bad, right from the beginning. There were no godly kings; and in order to keep the people from going to the temple in Jerusalem to worship, they set up two golden calves, allowed anyone to be a priest, encouraged the worship of all gods and mixed these other worship cultures with what was left of the worship of Yahweh. God tried to win the people back through the ministry of Elijah and Elisha, but these men only confirmed that Israel was completely lost. Time wise, Elisha has just died and now Hosea comes with thirty years of sermons on spiritual adultery and an object lesson regarding that adultery, his own marriage to a vilely unfaithful woman. Hosea's marriage became a cultural phenomenon and his sermons were a final warning for people to return to God. Those who heard the Lord went to Judah during the ministries of Micah and Isaiah and the reign of King Hezekiah. Those who remained rebellious to God became totally corrupt. They went into exile with the Assyrians and were lost.

Again, you might want to look at the chart “Kings of Judah and Israel and the Preexilic Prophets,” to see this in perspective.

Hosea 4-5

Hosea is organized into sermons of punishment and salvation. Today in Hosea we only get the punishment and one verse of hope and salvation. The hope that God gives that will offset the punishment declared today is in 5:15-6:3 tomorrow.

Hosea 4

Vs. 1-3 Notice that this description of guilt is on all of the people, all of the children of Israel. Notice what God says is missing, and notice what is there. Without knowing the Lord in truth, there is no faithfulness or steadfast love. They had mixed pagan worship into the fabric of everything. There was no more knowledge of what was really true. More than that, there was not a pure view or understanding of God. These people had become as corrupt as the people whom Israel had to drive out of Canaan. What was actually worse is that they had had the knowledge of God, but had given it up to pursue gods that were more to their liking.

V. 2 These are all violations of the Ten Commandments. Swearing is invoking a curse against others using the Lord's name, a violation of the third commandment. In Milwaukee, growing up, that's how we greeted people. You would have thought it was a commandment to use His name to curse people.

V. 3 This sounds like the curse on nature and the groaning of creation from Romans 8.

Vs. 4-14 It seems to me that this block of verses is aimed at the priests and prophets. Their corruption in vs. 1-11 led to the resultant corruption of the people in 12-14. We have seen in both Jeremiah and Ezekiel how God holds the leaders responsible for the downfall of the people and the culture. It is hard for us to grasp this, but the worship of Yahweh was mixed with paganism. Not only did Jeroboam bring in the golden calves, but Baal worship was mixed with pseudo-worship according to the law. Remember that Baal and other forms of fertility worship had a very strong sexual component to them, in the "worship experience" itself. How could you compete with that? The worship itself was for them to gain blessing and prosperity for themselves, and then the actual "worship experience" kept them coming back for more. There were priests who were broadminded and knew of Yahweh and though they brought in elements of Judaism, they met the people at the calves, not the tabernacle or temple. They were priests, but they were utterly lost, like so many representatives of "Christian" religions today who conduct services, but do not know God, are teaching error and are bound for an eternity without God.

Notice in some of the wording how God will say, you have forgotten…I also will forget.

V. 6 This sounds like Jesus' "woe" on the scribes/lawyers, Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering. (Luke 11:52)

It is hard to imagine a culture this thoroughly corrupt (except for a small remnant of people), but some of our cultures in the west are getting there.

Vs. 15-19 Judah is warned here, but the point is that the rebellion in the north is so deep that the cure will require something even deeper. King Hezekiah paid attention to warnings like this.

V. 16 This is interesting. A lamb that follows its shepherd is easy to care for and obedient. Israel is no longer like that. In the German Bible, instead of a stubborn heifer, it is a mad or crazy cow.

Hosea 5

Vs. 1-14 This is the declaration of judgment, beginning again with the leaders, religious first, and then political.

V. 4-7 This is a very sad diagnosis of why the problem with those people was incurable. It seems that because they had so redefined truth and what it meant to know and worship God, that even when they tried, they did not seek Him, but rather their own lusts. Verse 5 shows that Judah became part of this. Notice in v. 7 how pagan ritual and bearing children through Baal worship is linked to the new moon festivals. Keep this in mind when we read 2 John.

V. 8 Apparently the people of Benjamin led the way in some of this.

V. 10 Removing a landmark was like rewriting the truth. You didn't know where the right or wrong was any more.

Notice the images of the moth/dry-rot and lion and that both of them will strike Ephraim and Judah. What are the differences in the destruction these two very different destroyers bring?

V. 15 This verse is the first verse of the section promising hope and restoration. Though this restoration wouldn't come to that generation that would be destroyed, eventually the people of Israel, in their distress, would earnestly seek the Lord. Until then, God would remain distant from them, waiting.

Even today as disciples in the harvest, we know that not everyone will respond to the offer God is making. Making them respond is not our job. Some are not ready now and some never will be ready; but some are ready now to come to Christ and to follow as disciples, who will make disciples. We simply present the message.

2 John

This short letter by John was probably written in the same timeframe as 1 John, but here John was planning to visit this church and so he kept his message brief. The things John mentions are very similar to 1 John and seem like his way to give this church some basic guidelines and things to think about until he arrived.

Vs. 1-3 The elect lady is a church and the children are its members.

Notice how often John uses the word truth in this introduction. It sets the tone of the entire letter. Just like we saw in Hosea, once the truth is compromised and reinvented, there is no longer a basis for knowing God or knowing what is right or wrong in a culture. Paul often told Timothy to guard the truth and said that the church was the pillar and defender of the truth. The more you read your Bible, the more the Spirit entrusts to you and the better equipped you are to protect the truth and pass it on to others.

Vs. 4-6 John rejoices that there are people following the truth. He takes the idea of truth and transfers it into the order to follow the truth, a commandment. He then says the commandment to follow is to love one another.

I'm not sure if there was a situation within the church that needed to be dealt with, but I have a sense that when we become so warfare oriented in defending the truth, we can lose our love for those who know Christ. In fundamentalism I've seen this. I've seen a great defender of the truth become hard of heart and make enemies of his friends by harping about the uses and meanings of words. When we get to Revelation, we'll read about the church of Ephesus as a church that fought hard to defend the truth, but lost their love for Jesus. Ironic and sad.

Vs. 7-9 We recognize this teaching about antichrists and deceivers not only from 1 John, but from what we've read in Daniel. Your translation has the before both deceiver and antichrist, but these are not the antichrist, just little imitations of the one who will come later.

V. 8 Note that what will be lost is full reward, not salvation. I was reading again this morning how Jesus told His disciples to seek the reward the Father offers us. These rewards are all summed up in seeking Him and making Him our treasure. I'm finding out that it is harder than I think to be wholly satisfied in Him and seeking Him. I need to work on finding everything I need in Him and let the rest rot. That's hard to do in the west between Thanksgiving and Christmas, when everyone wants us to buy stuff and we equate holiday happiness with shopping and eating.

V. 9 If we don't abide in the teaching of Christ, we operate without God, without the leading and direction of His Spirit. We see this all the time, as Christians we know, or who are public figures, get themselves into trouble. For a disciple, simply and humbly abiding in Christ is important. Following Christ in the harvest is important. To live without abiding in Him is not how we want to live. If we leave the truth, if we disobey, if we get drawn into sin, then we step away from God and His truth, following our pride and passion. We don't lose our salvation, but we do dishonor God and give Satan something to use to reproach the name of our Savior. That's the point here.

Note that the result of mixing truth and error is what we are reading about in Hosea.

Vs. 10-11 This is the same as being unequally yoked with unbelievers, or what Paul talks about regarding associating with Christians living in sin (2 Cor. 6:14). You still love them, but your relationship to them is one of restoration, not acceptance. And beyond that, there are people and false teaching that need to be dealt with strongly. If you saw someone pouring poison in a well, the time for being politically correct and winsome would be over.

V. 12 This was enough to get the people thinking, but John was on his way and would continue in person.

V. 13 John means that the believers where he wrote this were greeting the believers to whom he was writing.

Psalm 125

As you read these opening verses and think of what we read in Hosea, you wonder what went wrong. These people were certainly singing the right words. But it all comes down to obedience to the truth. If the truth gets eaten away by false teaching or by our redefining truth to our passions, then we remake God in our own image. In that sense, God becomes lost to us.

This is why we are in the Word, firsthand submitting our hearts and minds to His truth. In this way we learn who He truly is, and He defines us. And that's a good thing, because in Him and in His truth we are unmovable. We abide in Him regardless of what life throws at us as we follow Him in the harvest.

Vs. 1-2 This was the psalmist taking the eternal view of Jerusalem as God's chosen city. This is true, but will only be realized during the Millennium.

Vs. 3-5 All of this has an "earthly" ring to it; that is, these are earthly consequences, not necessarily dealing with heavenly salvation. The Lord brings justice to the righteous. He blesses the upright who follow Him. Those who turn away from the Lord wind up like those who don't know the Lord at all, at least on earth.

Proverbs 29:9-11

So, what do you think God is warning us about with these three proverbs? It is far easier to read these proverbs than to heed them. Wisdom eventually teaches you that you can't reason with this type of person and that you just need to keep silent and/or walk away with your "pearls." (Matt. 7:6)

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link ^{http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/.} If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find it in my book:  Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback to ^{dgkachikis@gmail.com.}

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to ^{https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.} You can download these to use on your computer or to print.

December 5, 2015

DECEMBER 5

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

By the way, in some countries St. Nick comes tonight to fill shoes with good things.

Hosea 1-3

Hosea is one of the "minor" prophets, meaning that his recorded message was short. There were actually many prophets whom God used, whom we don't know, who never wrote. So then, it is significant that God chose to have the message of Hosea recorded and circulated around Israel and included in the Word.

Hosea is one of the better known minor prophets because of the unusual thing God asked him to do. If you look at the chart, “Kings of Judah and Israel and the Preexilic Prophets,” (located at the end of this document) you'll see that Hosea continued the prophetic ministry against Israel after Elisha was gone. Although Amos and Jonah were there for a short time after Elisha, Hosea continued. Since God had already pronounced judgment against the northern kingdom during the ministry of Elijah, you wonder what Hosea's impact was meant to have. He couldn't have saved his country. Maybe there were individuals who could still turn to God. That was definitely the case during the time of King Hezekiah when many from the north finally left and moved south to Judah. Also, I think that Hosea had an influence on Hezekiah, who was a godly king and would have paid attention to what the Lord was saying. In fact, if you compare the dates on the chart, Hosea was pretty much finished with his ministry when Hezekiah was just beginning to come to power.

Here are some guiding thoughts about this message of Hosea. First, the message God gave him was to emphasize and expose the spiritual adultery of Israel, and thereby, to warn Judah. Second, though we only have 14 chapters, you can see by the chart that Hosea's ministry spanned a couple of decades. Third, although the message is very hard, there is mercy and hope mixed in; in fact, there is a very clear structure of judgment being declared followed by a message of salvation and hope. This cycle will happen about five times. Just like the promise of God's restoration of His people, I'd like to think that the relationship with Hosea and Gomer ended well, like a little miracle on earth.

Hosea 1

Vs. 1-3 Some of the names of these kings should be familiar to you. It was during this period that the northern kingdom was captured and taken into exile by Assyria and when the Assyrians tried to take Jerusalem.

Vs. 2-3 Lots of people object to God commanding Hosea to do this. We have seen that the life God gave His prophets was not glamorous or easy. Isaiah had to walk around naked for a year. Jeremiah endured persecution and incredible sadness. Ezekiel acted out several disaster scenarios over a couple of years and then lost his wife. Daniel & Co. lost everything.

It is very probable that Hosea already knew Gomer, had a crush on her, and married her knowing she had an unsteady heart, but before she was fully unfaithful. If Hosea's relationship with her mirrored God's relationship to Israel, that would be a fair description. God didn't make a covenant with a whore, but showed His love to an unsteady nation. Could Hosea win Gomer back and would she change? If God's work with Israel is the model for the human drama and sadness Hosea is about to endure, then there would be a happy ending for Hosea.

The son is clearly Hosea's son.

Vs. 4-5 Jezreel becomes a name for judgment. This was the deciding battle where Assyria took Israel.

Vs. 6-7 This is another of Hosea's own children with Gomer, a girl called No Mercy. The nation of Israel was removed and God showed them no mercy from the Assyrians.

But notice in v. 7 that God did show mercy to Judah. God says that He will save Judah; notice that He says how He will not save them. Do you remember what God did to the Assyrian army when they threatened Jerusalem? This was during the reign of King Hezekiah. I think Hezekiah read Hosea.

Vs. 8-9 A third child for Hosea with a very harsh name, Not My People.

Vs. 10-11 (Actually, 2:1 is a part of this, and is a transition.) Here is the salvation and hope. Do you see the aspect of this promise that will only be complete in the Millennial Kingdom? Note that Paul quotes from this section in Romans 9:26. Notice too, how the name, Jezreel, that formerly denoted judgment, now becomes a word for salvation.

Hosea 2

V. 1 This is transitional in that the children of this blessing are to cry out to the mother, the nation.

Vs. 2-13 This is the declaration of God's judgment on Israel, mirrored in some respect by Gomer's actions toward Hosea. You can imagine that people were watching this drama between Hosea and Gomer, getting really mad at the behavior of Gomer in response to the kindness of Hosea. But when they said to Hosea, "Too bad you married a whore," Hosea's answer would have singed their ears; because the idolatrous people of Israel were the real whores.

But, on a personal level, can you imagine Hosea going through this, feeling all the love and betrayal and ridicule and anger. This is what God felt toward Israel, and still feels as those He loves betray Him.

V. 3 Notice this image of the wilderness. God will use isolation to punish Israel as in v. 7. If you understand the scope of biblical redemptive history, Israel is still in this wilderness, being prepared to finally cry out for their Messiah.

Vs. 14-23 (actually to 3:5) This is the declaration of hope and redemption. Notice again that the fulfillment of this promise of redemption is still future.

V. 14 It is in the hardness and isolation of the wilderness that God will woo Israel to renew her faithfulness.

Hosea 3:1-5

This is the command to buy back his wayward wife who has become the slave of another. God did the same thing with His people, and with us, as slaves of sin. That is why Jesus is our Redeemer. He bought us back.

V. 5 We have seen this in Ezekiel. David will be the ruler of the reunited and redeemed Israel.

Isn't it interesting that even when God is meting out judgment, He is very careful to affirm His love and to give hope of redemption? Who says there is no love or grace in the Old Testament?

1 John 5

Vs. 1-5 There is a lot packed into these verses. John is repeating what Jesus Himself said so many times in so many different ways: "Why do you call me Lord and do not do what I say?" Remember, Jesus' commandments have to do with following, not living morally and staying out of trouble. Those "right living" things are assumed of anyone who names the name of Christ. His commands have to do with following and acknowledging Him, testifying to Him, in a lost world. We are to work in the harvest, making disciples, who make disciples. We are to have our loins girded and our lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return home from the wedding feast, to open up to Him at once when He comes and knocks. (Luke 12:35) Obeying Jesus has nothing to do with living mousey, moral, invisible lives on earth. In v. 5 this belief that overcomes is not silent or invisible.

Vs. 6-12 This is a great affirmation to the redeeming power of Christ as our Savior. This also seems to be a rebuke to some of the false teachers. There was a line of thinking and teaching that said that the man Jesus was not God the Son, but was only possessed by God the Son. In their thinking, at the crucifixion, God the Son left that poor guy on the cross because it is impossible for God to suffer or endure such sinful behavior by men. By the way, that was probably also Satan's thought. The incarnation, God becoming fully man and remaining fully God, was a mystery. If Satan had understood that Jesus was fully God and fully man, he might have understood that Jesus could pay for the sins of man. I think this "wisdom of God" is what Paul was referring to when he said, None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Cor. 2:8) Jesus was not only anointed as the Son of God at His baptism, by water, but He was shown to be the Son of God at His death, by blood. The Holy Spirit testified over all of this. The incarnation is the reason why salvation can only be through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Vs. 13-15 The key thoughts here are, that you may know, this is the confidence, and we have the requests. All of these things were shaken by those teachers who had attacked the full adoption as sons that we obtain through Jesus, claiming Jesus was only a man and not the God-Man.

Vs. 16-17 Apparently there were people sinning and being chastened by God with death. We see this in Acts 5:1-11 and in 1 Corinthians 11:30. As we've seen in 1 Corinthians, Christians are capable of a lot of sin and God does, at times, chasten by using sickness and death.

V. 18 Jesus is the one who protects, in His hand, those who abide in Him.

V. 19 So we should live like it, working in the harvest.

V. 20 Our lives are to be lived very simply, in Jesus, seeking Jesus, following Jesus.

V. 21 Any passion other than Jesus can lead us into idolatry.

Psalm 124

I wonder what this sounded like as it was sung by the people as they walked to Jerusalem for the feasts. It is interesting too, that this psalm is of David. That might be why there is the thought of deliverance from enemies.

Vs. 1-5 David understood that with all the fighting, ducking, and hiding that took place over the years he ran from Saul, if it hadn't been for the Lord, he would have died. In all the battles David waged for Israel, it wasn't his ability as a leader that won the day. It was not that he had some incredible fighters that gave the victory. It was the Lord. This is the same for us. This realization can't be "lip service;" it has to be heartfelt and deeply understood.

Vs. 6-7 We can say the same not only regarding salvation, but as we escape the effects of the sin within us every day we walk on this planet.

V. 8 Amen!

Proverbs 29:5-8

Vs. 5-6 Lots of capturing birds imagery here. (Notice Psalm 124:7.) I wonder if that imagery is continued in the righteous man singing. I guess the guy doesn't understand that he is spreading a net for his own feet.

V. 7 Here too is an inability for the wicked to understand.

V. 8 Those who start fires (among people) often get burned by them, but a wise man understands how to put them out.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link ^{http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/.} If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find it in my book:  Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback to ^{dgkachikis@gmail.com.}

If you would like documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to ^{https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.} You can download these to use on your computer or to print.