The Daily Meditation

Hosea 2:16, 19-20

16 And at that day, saith the Lord, thou shalt call

me Ishi, and shalt call me no more Baali.

19 And I will marry thee unto me forever: yea,

I will marry thee unto me in righteousness, and in

judgment, and in mercy, and in compassion.

20 I will even marry thee unto me in faithfulness,

and thou shalt know the Lord.

Editor’s notes

The name Ishi translates into the following root in ancient Hebrew;

3467 yasha` yaw-shah' a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor:--X at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save(-iour), get victory. Source Strong’s Concordance

The name Baali is a spelling of Baal who was a Phoenician deity:--Baal, (plural) Baalim and as such was an idol. Source Strong’s Concordance.

Editor’s thought - God is saying that you will no longer follow an idol, nor will you call me Master, but He will, redefine His covenant and treat Israel as one would treat His wife. This covenant, is one that is time honored by God, that is to say the marriage of man and woman. Recall yesterday’s Sunday Sermon, to see how God so honors this covenant. In verse 20 we read that we shall know the Lord. It is my thought that not only will we know Him as God Who is powerful in word and deed, but as one who is all merciful, righteous, loving, and knows and understands how to temper His power with compassion.

Related Scripture

Song of Solomon 1:4;

Isaiah 61:10;

Isaiah 62:5;

Joel 2:16;

John 3:29;

Jeremiah 31:33;

John 17:3;

Jeremiah 7:23;

Jeremiah 11:4;

Leviticus 26:12;

John 13:5-16;

The Sunday Sermon

The Ten Commandments Part 6b

By Martin Luther

Thou shall not commit adultery

Exodus 20:14

This commandment is aimed directly at the state of matrimony and gives occasion to speak of the same, you must well understand and mark, first, how gloriously God honors and extols this estate, inasmuch as by His commandment He both sanctions and guards it. He has sanctioned it above in the Fourth Commandment: Honor thy father and thy mother; (Exodus 20:12;) but here He has (as we said ) hedged it about and protected it. Therefore He also wishes us to honor it, and to maintain and conduct it as a divine and blessed estate; (Ephesians 5:25; 1 Peter 3:1-7;)because, in the first place, He has instituted it before all others, and therefore created man and woman separately (as is evident), not for lewdness, but that they should [legitimately] live together, be fruitful, beget children,( Jeremiah 29:6;) and nourish and train them to the honor of God. (Proverbs 22:6;)

Therefore God has also most richly blessed this estate above all others, and, in addition, has bestowed on it and wrapped up in it everything in the world, to the end that this estate might be well and richly provided for. Married life is therefore no jest or presumption; but it is an excellent thing and a matter of divine seriousness. For it is of the highest importance to Him that persons be raised who may serve the world and promote the knowledge of God, godly living, and all virtues, to fight against wickedness and the devil. (John 17:14-15, 18; Mark 16:15; Romans 10:15, 18;)

Therefore I have always taught that this estate should not be despised nor held in disrepute, as is done by the blind world, but that it be regarded according to God's Word, by which it is adorned and sanctified, so that it is not only placed on an equality with other estates, but that it precedes and surpasses them all, whether they be that of emperor, princes, bishops, or whoever they please. For both ecclesiastical and civil estates must humble themselves and all be found in this estate as we shall hear. Therefore it is not a peculiar estate, but the most common and noblest estate, which pervades all Christendom, yea which extends through all the world.

You must know also that it is not only an honorable, but also a necessary state, and it is solemnly commanded by God that, in general, in all conditions, men and women, who were created for it, shall be found in this estate; yet with some exceptions (although few) whom God has especially excepted, so that they are not fit for the married estate, or whom He has released by a high, supernatural gift that they can maintain chastity without this estate. For where nature has its course, as it is implanted by God, it is not possible to remain chaste without marriage. For flesh and blood remain flesh and blood, (Ecclesiastes 2:3; 2 Corinthians 13:7; Romans 7:15-20;) and the natural inclination and excitement have their course without let or hindrance, as everybody sees and feels. In order, therefore, that it may be the more easy in some degree to avoid unchastity, God has commanded the estate of matrimony, that every one may have his proper portion and be satisfied therewith; although God's grace besides is required in order that the heart also may be pure.

Some Things Never Change.....

The Daily Meditation

Hosea 1:10-11

10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall

be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured

nor told: and in the place where it was said unto them,

Ye are not my people, it shall be said unto them, Ye

are the sons of the living God.

11 Then shall the children of Judah, and the

children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint

themselves one head, and they shall come up out of

the land: for great is the day of Jezreel.

Editor’s thought - I am certainly not a theologian, but it is my belief that God is speaking not only to the children of Israel, but as is written above to the children of Judah, who will become the gentiles. As we know, Christ Jesus was often referred to as the Lion of Judah, since we are kindred to him, it sort of dovetails into the scripture. Again these are only my thoughts, and certainly not any doctrine.

Related Scripture

Genesis 22:17;

Jeremiah 33:22;

1 Peter 2:10;

Romans 9:26;

Isaiah 63:16;

Isaiah 64:8;

Leviticus 26:12;

Ezekiel 36:28;

John 1:12;

Isaiah 11:11-13;

Jeremiah 3:18;

Jeremiah 50:4;

Ezekiel 34:23;

Ezekiel 37:15-28;

Colossians 3:11;

Galatians 3:28;

The Daily Meditation

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

23 Now the very God of peace sanctify you

throughout: and I pray God that your whole spirit

and soul and body, may be kept blameless unto the

coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he which calleth you, which will

also do it.

Related Scripture

Isaiah 26:3;

2 Corinthians 13:11;

Philippians 4:7-9;

1 Corinthians 1:8-9;

1 Peter 3:15;

1 Samuel 2:35;

1 Corinthians 10:13;

Hebrews 10:23;

1 John 1:9;

Philippians 1:6;

The Daily Meditation

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

Editor’s thought - Yesterday’s post was a guide to living life as a Christian. Today’s post is more designed towards one’s spiritual life.

16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray continually.

18 In all things, give thanks, for this is the will of

God in Christ Jesus toward you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesying.

21 Try all things, and keep that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Related Scripture

2 Corinthians 6:10;

Matthew 18:20;

Ephesians 6:18;

Ephesians 5:20;

Colossians 3:17;

Ephesians 4:30;

1 Corinthians 14:1, 31;

1 John 4:1;

Philippians 4:8;

Psalm 34:11-15;

Psalm 37:1-5;

1 Peter 4:15;

The Daily Meditation

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

14 We desire you, brethren, admonish them that

are out of order: comfort the feebleminded: bear

with the weak: be patient toward all men.

15 See that none recompense evil for evil unto

any man: but ever follow that which is good, both

toward yourselves, and toward all men.

Editor’s thought - these two verses are a wonderful guide for living the life of a Christian. The following verses, which will follow on Wednesday, will be a guide for spiritual life.

Verse 14

Job 29:13;

Isaiah 1:17;

Romans 12:18;

Romans 14:1;

Galatians 5:22;

2 Thessalonians 3:6-7, 11;

Hebrews 12:12;

Verse 15

Psalm 37:27;

Proverbs 17:13;

Proverbs 20:22;

Jeremiah 18:20;

Matthew 5:39;

Romans 12:17;

Romans 16:19;

Ephesians 4:29;

Philippians 4:8;

1 Peter 3:9;