“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.”  (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

I’ve been reading the book of Hosea recently, thinking that my next prayer journal project would be on the minor prophets. The thing about it is that I keep having, “Wait, What…?” moments as I read through the chapters of this book because they seem to be so descriptive of the political and social climate in the United States, and probably many other nations, right now.

My study came to a screeching halt on chapter 7. I recognize that the Northern kingdom of Israel is being addressed in this book; however, the immutable nature of God applies the principles of the Book, the Bible, throughout the stream of time.

Hosea 7:1  “When I restore the fortunes of my people, when I would heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim is revealed, and the evil deeds of Samaria for they deal falsely, the thief breaks in, and the bandits raid outside.”

God’s intention is always to heal and restore people and nations; yet there are things that get in the way of that happening – sin and evil deeds such as dealing falsely, deceptively, fraudulently, and thieving. Those familiar with scripture and Israel’s history recognize that iniquity and evil deeds arose from their turning away from God to idolatry.

Turning away from God always opens the door for evil to enter!

v. 2  “But they do not consider that I remember all their evil. Now their deeds surround them; they are before my face.”

It is comforting to know that evil plots and deeds are visible to God – nothing is hidden from Him. We’ve read the end of the book and we know that the malevolent acts of wicked men and women will be punished, especially those people who do not repent of their wickedness and intrigues. My concern is for the many innocent victims who suffer for the unrighteous, unjust deeds of powerful people.

So, I pray. It is pointless to wring my hands in frustration and anxiety when my fingers are trained for battle! …and we are in a battle that God has equipped and is equipping us for.

“Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and He in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.” (Psalm 144:1-2)

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4)

I’m not a mathematical genius, but there seems to be an equation implicit in scripture: Our faith overcomes the world, and faith comes by hearing the Word of God (“…faith comes by hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17), then having God’s Word deeply planted in our souls will grow our faith and ensure our victory. And it is with that confidence we pray.

That is foundational to my response as I read Hosea’s prophecies, a response of faith and hope in the sovereignty of God, His steadfast love, and His protection.

“For with hearts like an oven they approach their intrigue; all night their anger smolders; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire. All of them are hot as an oven, and they devour their rulers. All their kings have fallen, and none of them calls upon me.” (Hosea 7:6, 7)

The picture of an oven is an apt descriptor of those cooking up schemes, devising intrigue, with smoldering anger. There seems to be so much of that going on in our nation, and it is nothing new. Sadly, much of the media fans the flames of false and biased reporting, divisiveness, and hatred. Clearly, the intent is to devour and destroy the current leaders of our country.

There are more similarities between the political climate described in the book of Hosea, the ancient kingdom of Israel and other kingdoms and nations throughout history. God’s intention is always to heal, yet man’s pride, rebellion, idolatry, and treachery separate people from His good purposes. What makes it so sad is that many do not recognize or care that they are willfully rejecting God.

I want to be careful, though, not to adopt attitudes of spiritual pride or self-righteousness, because it is only the grace of God that separates the saved from the lost—not by our works of righteousness, “social awareness”, or theology … only the grace of God. Not because we deserve salvation, but because of His gift and His love for all mankind.

As tempting as it is to pray down judgment on those who are not receptive to Jesus or the gospel, and who stand in defiance towards the followers of Christ and biblical morality, the Holy Spirit would be quick to remind us (and by God’s grace, we would be quick to listen) of Jesus’ words of rebuke spoken to James and John when they wanted fire to come down and consume those who opposed them (Luke 9:51-55).

Though the divisions and intrigues are nothing new to our planet, if you are familiar with Bible prophecy and the “end of the Book”, you will recognize that we are rapidly approaching the day when we realize “our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ….” (Titus 2:13)