May 19, 2011

• When I fed them to the full ~ Jeremiah 5:7

  Hosea 11:3
  Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;
  I took them up by their arms,
  but they did not know that I healed them.

  

  Hosea 11:4
  I led them with cords of kindness,
  with the bands of love,
  and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,
  and I bent down to them and fed them.

  Jeremiah 5:7
  ... When I fed them to the full ...

  

  John 6:35: Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."
  
  WHEN I FED THEM TO THE FULL,
  they committed adultery
  and trooped to the houses of whores.
  
  They were well-fed, lusty stallions,
  each neighing for his neighbor's wife.
  
  Shall I not punish them for these things?
  declares the LORD;
  and shall I not avenge myself
  on a nation such as this?
  (Jeremiah 5:7-9)

  How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
  How can I hand you over, O Israel?
  How can I make you like Admah?
  How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
  My heart recoils within me;
  my compassion grows warm and tender.
  (Hosea 11:8)

  I have heard Ephraim grieving,
  
  ‘You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined,
  like an untrained calf;
  bring me back that I may be restored,
  for you are the LORD my God.
  For after I had turned away, I relented,
  and after I was instructed, I slapped my thigh;
  I was ashamed, and I was confounded,
  because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’
  
  Is Ephraim my dear son?
  Is he my darling child?
  For as often as I speak against him,
  I do remember him still.
  Therefore my heart yearns for him;
  I will surely have mercy on him,
  declares the LORD.
  (Jeremiah 31:18-20)

  I will not execute my burning anger;
  I will not again destroy Ephraim;
  for I am God and not a man,
  the Holy One in your midst,
  and I will not come in wrath.
  (Hosea 11:9)

  ~ Does the Lord hear you grieving? ~
  
  Romans 2:4  Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

  ~ Is God's kindness leading you to repentance – or to presumption? ~

  II Timothy 2:19  But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

  20  Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

  22  So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

  ~ Are you departing from iniquity? ~
  ~ Are you cleansing yourself? ~
  ~ Are you fleeing youthful passions – or running to them? ~
  ~ Are you pursuing righteousness – or fleeing it? ~

  I John 3:1  See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2  Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

  ~ Are you purifying yourself as He is pure? ~
  ~ Are you His child? ~

  The Lord knows those who are His.

  Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil,
  but living as servants of God.
  (I Peter 2:6)

  ---

  Related:

  Links to my posts on true and false religion and legalism
  What is Biblical mourning? (Ash Wednesday)
  Blessed Be God for His Kindness Which Leads Us to Repentance
  Biblical mourning, assurance and false guilt
  true repentance leads to joy (Letter 37 on assurance & fighting for joy)
  you say you want Jesus
  Ash Wednesday: Do you despise yourself? | Job 42
  Two Fountains ~ Where are you drinking? What is flowing? Don't waste your drinking!
  Letter 25 on assurance and fighting for joy (a strong craving ≠ His joy)
  Are you a radiant Christian or a drunken old woman? (letter 82 on assurance & fighting for joy)
  the examination & the supper | letter 108 on assurance & fighting for joy
  Lenten Reflections: the remembrance and the rendering (Luke 20:9-26)
  Half a heart, half a heart (How long? If the LORD is God, follow Him)
  Dear children | Hosea 2:5 For their mother hath played the harlot
  Is your faith living – or is it dead? (Isaac Watts)
  Neck check (Bible reading: Nehemiah 3)
  backslidden child (Jeremiah 3)
  dedication 2010 (reflections on God's Word & God's grace)
  Why do I write poetry?
  Things to look for in a church (Solomon's Temple), # 5. HUMILITY BEFORE GOD LEADING TO CONFESSION, REPENTANCE AND FRUITS WORTHY OF REPENTANCE

  Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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