Hosea 11-13; Matthew 19
Hosea 11-13
God's plan of redemption contains many astonishing and vital elements. One of them is the relocation of Jacob's family to Egypt and the subsequent liberation of the great nation from Egyptian bondage. God orchestrated this so that the Israelites could never forget that their freedom, their country, and their state were possible only because of God's grace, which miraculously led them out of Egypt. God commands them to remember this regularly during the Passover festival and even every week on the Sabbath day (Deuteronomy 5:15).
The prophets also remind Israel of this: "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son." (Hosea 11:1). "But I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me." (Hosea 13:4)
They were supposed to remember all God had done for them, but unfortunately, the Israelites often forgot God's many blessings (Hosea 11:3-4). "My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them." (Hosea 11:7)
The problems were not only with Ephraim in the northern kingdom, which had long since turned away from God but also with Judah: "The Lord has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds." (Hosea 12:2)
Matthew 19
Jesus repeatedly emphasizes that the laws of the Kingdom of God are significantly higher than those given to Israel through Moses. One example of this is the complete prohibition of divorce. God's original design for marriage is one man and one woman for life. By the time of Christ's earthly life, even the Jews were so far from God's design that the disciples, upon hearing Jesus' words on this matter, were astonished and thought it impossible: "The disciples said to him, 'If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.'" (Matthew 19:10) Jesus replied: "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given." (Matthew 19:11). The strength for faithfulness in marriage comes from God.
The second half of the chapter addresses the impossibility of attaining salvation through one's efforts and achievements. The story of the rich young man is an excellent illustration of this. Personal achievements in piety mean nothing without dying to oneself and fully dedicating one's life to Christ: "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (Matthew 19:26)
God's plan of redemption contains many astonishing and vital elements. One of them is the relocation of Jacob's family to Egypt and the subsequent liberation of the great nation from Egyptian bondage. God orchestrated this so that the Israelites could never forget that their freedom, their country, and their state were possible only because of God's grace, which miraculously led them out of Egypt. God commands them to remember this regularly during the Passover festival and even every week on the Sabbath day (Deuteronomy 5:15).
The prophets also remind Israel of this: "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son." (Hosea 11:1). "But I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me." (Hosea 13:4)
They were supposed to remember all God had done for them, but unfortunately, the Israelites often forgot God's many blessings (Hosea 11:3-4). "My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them." (Hosea 11:7)
The problems were not only with Ephraim in the northern kingdom, which had long since turned away from God but also with Judah: "The Lord has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds." (Hosea 12:2)
Matthew 19
Jesus repeatedly emphasizes that the laws of the Kingdom of God are significantly higher than those given to Israel through Moses. One example of this is the complete prohibition of divorce. God's original design for marriage is one man and one woman for life. By the time of Christ's earthly life, even the Jews were so far from God's design that the disciples, upon hearing Jesus' words on this matter, were astonished and thought it impossible: "The disciples said to him, 'If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.'" (Matthew 19:10) Jesus replied: "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given." (Matthew 19:11). The strength for faithfulness in marriage comes from God.
The second half of the chapter addresses the impossibility of attaining salvation through one's efforts and achievements. The story of the rich young man is an excellent illustration of this. Personal achievements in piety mean nothing without dying to oneself and fully dedicating one's life to Christ: "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (Matthew 19:26)
Posted in Reading Bible Together