The Minor Prophets Speak to Today
"Then you will finally know me as Lord."
Hosea 2:20
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In That Day I Will Answer
Says the Lord
Hosea 2:21-22
I will answer the sky as it pleads for clouds.
And the sky will answer the earth with rain.
Then the earth will answer the thirsty cries
of the grain, the grapevines, and the olive trees.
And they in turn will answer,
‘God plants!’
And the sky will answer the earth with rain.
of the grain, the grapevines, and the olive trees.
‘God plants!’
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Because the earth cries out in travail for redemption,
God will answer by again planting his children in the land.
God will answer by again planting his children in the land.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Man has learned to rule much of creation, but who controls the weather? We predict it. We might try to get it to give up its moisture. But the main players are the jet streams and the waters of the oceans. These no human controls nor does science know what makes them change.
Oh, we know what happens on the back end. When they move and change we have become pretty good at predicting what will happen. But what makes the jet stream change and cause drought here and floods there, and perfect weather somewhere else.
And how do the Ninos and Little Ninos form. Who decides when they will do so? We've become pretty good at measuring the temperature of the ocean and so we see them develop and then lose their strength. We can somewhat predict what effect they may have on the weather. But we do not control them.
Because we have come to understand much of what God has created and have learned it rules of operation, even causes in some cases, we claim that today God has little to do with much of what he created. But the hand of God remains visible in the weather. He alone controls the jet streams and ocean temperatures that set into motion the rains and wind, the factors that produce today's weather at the place you live, the place you are.
It is this knowledge that causes creation to cry out for relief even as it, of necessity, waits patiently for the redemption of God's people and with it the restoration of God's favor, the restoration of the earth.
In Hosea God makes it clear. He answers. And his answer sets in motion the give and take within creation that brings the rain, the blessings, the restoration.
And when does he do so? That is also stated clearly. When he, by grace and grace alone, restores his people, the church, to himself and we at last lean into his bosom, our minds and hearts clear. When we finally come to know him as Lord.
Don't get me wrong. This passage maybe presented as a parable as well. A parable that says when you finally actually know me as Lord, here is how I operate. I start, for your benefit, the chain of responses which care for you and your needs, just as I started the process of winning you back for myself, wooing you while I taught you how a true member of the Bride of Christ feels, thinks, and is motivated, until at last you finally actually knew, know, me as Lord.
In that day -- and not before!-- I will replant my church.
Photo Credits:
Day 122: The Arizona-New Mexico-Nevada Journey by polytikus @ flickr.com
Who Controls the Weather? Who Moves the Jet Streams Around?
Man has learned to rule much of creation, but who controls the weather? We predict it. We might try to get it to give up its moisture. But the main players are the jet streams and the waters of the oceans. These no human controls nor does science know what makes them change.
Oh, we know what happens on the back end. When they move and change we have become pretty good at predicting what will happen. But what makes the jet stream change and cause drought here and floods there, and perfect weather somewhere else.
And how do the Ninos and Little Ninos form. Who decides when they will do so? We've become pretty good at measuring the temperature of the ocean and so we see them develop and then lose their strength. We can somewhat predict what effect they may have on the weather. But we do not control them.
Because we have come to understand much of what God has created and have learned it rules of operation, even causes in some cases, we claim that today God has little to do with much of what he created. But the hand of God remains visible in the weather. He alone controls the jet streams and ocean temperatures that set into motion the rains and wind, the factors that produce today's weather at the place you live, the place you are.
Creation Knows that "Bad Times" Come From God and are Part of His Response to His People.
It is this knowledge that causes creation to cry out for relief even as it, of necessity, waits patiently for the redemption of God's people and with it the restoration of God's favor, the restoration of the earth.
When Does this Restoration occur? Who Answers the Cries of Creation?
In Hosea God makes it clear. He answers. And his answer sets in motion the give and take within creation that brings the rain, the blessings, the restoration.
And when does he do so? That is also stated clearly. When he, by grace and grace alone, restores his people, the church, to himself and we at last lean into his bosom, our minds and hearts clear. When we finally come to know him as Lord.
Don't get me wrong. This passage maybe presented as a parable as well. A parable that says when you finally actually know me as Lord, here is how I operate. I start, for your benefit, the chain of responses which care for you and your needs, just as I started the process of winning you back for myself, wooing you while I taught you how a true member of the Bride of Christ feels, thinks, and is motivated, until at last you finally actually knew, know, me as Lord.
In That Day," says the Lord, "I will answer."
In that day -- and not before!-- I will replant my church.Photo Credits:
Day 122: The Arizona-New Mexico-Nevada Journey by polytikus @ flickr.com
Rain
Drops, Heavy Rainfall, Edinburgh Photographer by johngilchrist @ flickr.com
Grapes and Evergreen
by Chris Campbell @flickr.com
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