E-pistle for January 3, 2014
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e-pistle
FreeWay Foundation January 3, 2014
Hosea teaches a history lesson
(Hosea 12:1-14)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on Israel's history as exemplified in Jacob's life
1. Hosea brought the Lord's charges against Ephraim: feeding on the
wind (pursuing unproductive ways), lying, and making foreign alliances;
the Lord will punish the nation for these sins, vv. 1-2, 7-8, 11, 14.
2. Hosea mentioned four events in Jacob's life: catching his brother's foot
at their birth (Genesis 25:26); wrestling with the Angel (Genesis 32:24-28);
his vision of the ladder and the angels at Bethel (Genesis 28:12-19); and
his return to Bethel after twenty years in exile (Genesis 35:9-15), vv. 3-4.
3. Hosea also cited two other events connected with Jacob (Israel): his
working as a shepherd for his uncle, Laban, while raising a family of twelve
sons (Genesis 29:20, 29); and Jacob's body (along with the entire nation)
being brought out of Egyptian bondage by God's prophet, Moses,
(Exodus 12:50-51;13:19), vv. 12-13.
4. In the midst of this historical review, Hosea called on the nation to repent
and return to the Lord, vv. 5-6; Hosea identified the source and authority
behind his prophetic words: "I am the Lord . . . I have spoken . . . multiplied
visions . . . given symbols (parables), vv. 9-10.
II. Meditation: on the significance of the historical events cited
1. Jacob and his descendants always have been deceitful and sinful, even from
his birth; however God spoke to Jacob at Bethel and gave him a divine vision
of his family's future destiny.
2. Jacob lived many years in a foreign land; however, the Lord blessed and
prospered Jacob even during his exile.
3. The Lord called Jacob back to Bethel (the Promised Land); in al all-night prayer
encounter, the Lord transformed Jacob's life and changed his name to Israel.
4. God faithfully kept all His promises to Israel; He delivered His chosen people
from Egyptian bondage, even bringing Jacob's body back into the Promised
Land for burial.
III. Revelation: on Hosea's spiritual interpretation of these historical events
1. Israel always has been a sinful people, but God continues to love them because
they have a divine destiny to fulfill.
2. Although the nation again will become slaves in a foreign land, the Lord will prosper
and bless them there.
3. The Lord will call His chosen people, and He will bring them back into His land of
promise.
4. The Lord will transform their lives, and He will fulfill all of His covenant promises to
them.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to heed Hosea's words . . .
1. "So you, by the help of your God, return; observe mercy and justice, and wait
on your God continually," Hosea 12:6.
A thorn in the flesh
(II Corinthians 12:1-21)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul wrote about his vision of Paradise, vv. 1-6.
2. Paul revealed some insights about his "THORN IN THE FLESH," vv. 7-10
3. Paul taught about the signs of a true apostle, vv. 11-13.
4. Paul expressed his deep love for the church, vv. 14-21.
II. Meditation: on Paul's "THORN IN THE FLESH"
1. It was some physical ailment: "Flesh", v. 7.
2. It probably was poor eyesight. (See Acts 23:3-5; Galatians 4:15)
3. It was "a messenger of Satan to buffet him," v. 7.
4. It was a weakness which kept him from becoming proud:
"least I be exalted above measure," v. 7 . . . over the marvelous visions
and revelations he had received from the Lord, v. 1.
III. Observations: on how God views a "THORN"
1. God does not view as unacceptable or sinful behavior the repeated asking
by His children to remove a "THORN", v. 8.
2. Sometimes God says "NO" to our most urgent requests.
3. One reason for God's saying "NO" is to magnify the sufficiency of His
Grace . . . enabling us to endure, v. 9.
4. Another reason for God's saying "NO" is to magnify His power by giving
strength to His weak servants, v. 9.
IV. Revelation: on a believer's proper attitude toward a remaining "THORN"
1. JOY – "most gladly" endure, v. 9.
2. APPRECIATION – "boast in my infirmities," v. 9.
3. PLEASURE – "take pleasure" in suffering for Christ, v. 10.
4. ENCOURAGEMENT – "when I am weak, then I am strong," v. 10.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Ask God for what I need and want, realizing that He always answers by saying
"YES" or "NO" or "WAIT" . . . according to His will and for my ultimate good.
2. Realize that physical weakness often is linked with spiritual strength . . . to
Accomplish God's purpose and for His glory.
3. Be assured that God's grace is sufficient for all circumstances and problems
of my life.
4. Perceive my own "THORN IN THE FLESH" THROUGH God's eyes, and serve
Him in spite of my weaknesses with joy, appreciation, pleasure, and divine
encouragement.
"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day."
Alexander Woolcott,
Long, Long Ago
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