Two year Bible reading program.

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 20:1 Understanding to grow in Our rebelliousness only highights the magnitude of God's love. We see that here. A catalogue of Israel's sins is interspersed with a description of the many blessings God had given. And although God warns of the judgment that fell with the exile of the northern and southern kingdoms, he also promises that in the end, because of his great love, those who return to him will be forgiven, redeemed from death itself, and brought to enjoy a life of abundance. What encouragement, when we sin, that with repentance comes grace unending. As you read note the many blessings God gives or promises. Hosea 11-14 Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself: 1) What’s t...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 19:29 Understanding to grow in Human nature doesn't change. Two sins are highighted in the northern kingdom that can be just as present today. The first, is that of nominal religion. They went through the motions of rituals and festivals (9v4-5) that should have honoured the LORD, whilst dishonouring him by their idolatry and opposition to his spokesmen (9v7-10). Similarly, people can attend church and call themselves Christians, whilst opposing those who teach God's word because they don't like it, and choosing instead their own self-made beliefs. The second sin, is that of self-reliance. Rather than seek and trust God when faced with oppressive empires, they assumed their military might...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 19:28 Understanding to grow in The unfaithfulness of the northern kingdom of "Israel" also called "Ephraim" after its largest tribe, is now detailed. Her priests, princes and people, are all engaged in the spiritual prostitution of idolatry; but it seems in literal prostitution too, whether as part of their pagan practices or simple adultery. The southern kingdom of "Judah" is being drawn into this as well. Throughout the land, the people go about their sacrifices, whilst defiling them with immorality. God therefore calls them to return to him, stressing he desires mercy and acknowledgment over mere offerings, and warning of judgment, highlighting that their false gods c...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 19:27 Understanding to grow in Although we are so often faithfulness, praise be that the Lord remains faithful. Hosea writes in the southern kingdom of Judah towards the end of the 7th century BC, when the northern kingdom, titled by then "Israel," was conquered by the Assyrians. Like other prophets, Hosea acts out his message, but in rather an extreme way! He marries a promiscuous woman to illustrate how Israel had been unfaithful to God, by turning to false gods like Baal as alternate "husbands." The LORD declares that unless she (Israel) repents, he will shame her, remove his love and provision, and no longer count her as his people (his wife). But he also promises, that she wi...