27/12/2011 - SHORT-LIVED LOVE

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O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, and like the early dew it goes away

Hosea 6:4

Since the separation of the Kingdom of Israel in biblical times due to the revolt led by Jeroboam, the ten revolted tribes – that continued to be called Israel, but were sometimes also known as Ephraim, which was the name of one of the tribes that made up this new kingdom – became much more unfaithful to God. In turn, the tribe of Judah, along with Benjamin’s, which made up the kingdom of Judah, remained a little more faithful to Him. Yet, as neither nation was doing God\’s will as they should, the message given by prophet Hosea served as a warning to both.

The Almighty was angry at the outcasts of Israel because they became sorcerers and idolaters, and few of them, by the way, were concerned to serve the God of their fathers. In fact, during the government of almost all their kings, it was unbelievable what happened in the land that the Lord had given them. Not even their leaders set a good example, but instead they worshipped the \”gods\” of the people around them. So, given that situation, the Almighty used Hosea to ask what should be done with those tribes. Unfortunately they did not take God\’s warning seriously and, as a result, they did not regain their position as the Lord\’s people ever again.

The kings of Judah and the majority of their people were not always truly faithful to the Lord. They began to imitate the Israelites, and over time some started to do the same or even worse things than the ones perpetrated by the crazy rulers of Israel. Although God had raised prophets to warn them about the importance of the divine precepts, many of those kings persecuted the Lord\’s servants who had been sent to warn them of their error. As a result, the Almighty would also punish Judah in such a way that the kingdom would never forget.

In fact, the love that both people had for God was ephemeral – and today in our midst, many are acting the same way, or even worse! Those people, when delivered from suffering or from anything that enslaved and destroyed them, they loved the Lord indeed but when the first opportunity presented itself they abandoned the Truth and returned to their old practices. Now those who proceed this way, just like the Israelites and the people of Judah will realize that the time of reckoning will come sooner than they think!

He who truly loves God is always cheerful and ready to do God\’s will, whatever the circumstances. For many, however, no sooner the sun light breaks forth than they abandon the Lord; after all, because their love for Him is fleeting they soon engage in minding their own business. However, those who leave the Father will one day cry bitterly but their mourning will be of no use to them. Those who yield to sin will embrace those filthy demons that they heeded and together they will be thrown into the everlasting flames of hell (Revelation 21:8)!

In Christ with love, 

R. R. Soares