Anglican Daily Fountain 24 January 2022
TOPIC: Don’t Shift Blame!
TEXT: Hosea 4:1-16 (NKJV)
Anglican Daily Fountain 24 January 2022 STUDY:
Israel’s lawless behaviour had brought the twin judgements of increased violence and ecological crisis. The prophetic speeches of Hosea indicted Israel for unfaithfulness and announced the divine judgement. The prophet revealed that the Lord had an indictment against Israel. He warned the priests not to blame anyone else; the nation’s sins were largely their fault.
Israel’s priests pointed out the people’s sins, but God would not allow them to overlook their own irresponsible actions. Instead of instructing the nation in religion and morality, they had led the way toward idolatry and immorality. Their failure to lead the people in God’s ways placed most of the blame for Israel’s destruction on them.
The religious leaders had failed to turn the people to God, and ritual prostitution had replaced right worship. The nation had declined spiritually and morally, breaking the laws that God had given them. The people found it easy to condemn Hosea’s wife for her adultery but they were not so quick to see that they had been unfaithful to God.
God will not allow us to blame others for our own sinful actions. Beware of the tendency to blame others because it can stop you from feeling the need to repent. When we face difficulties, we should seriously ask: Have I done anything sinful or irresponsible that has caused my suffering? If we discover that we are at fault, even partially, we must change our ways before God will help us.
PRAYER: Prayer: Lord, I humbly acknowledge that I am responsible for my unfaithfulness. Please, have mercy on me.
Daily Fountain Quote of the Day
1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
