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THEN THEY WILL SEEK MY FACE

Text: Hosea 5
7 October 2018

SOLEMN WORDS

Many were the times when ancient Israel went away from the Lord, seeking the counsels of idols. The words of admonition fell on deaf ears till the Lord declared these solemn words!

I will return again to My place

Till they acknowledge their offense;

Then they will seek My face;

In their affliction, they will earnestly seek Me.     Hosea 5:15

  1. I will return to My place

a) The Lord had come from heaven to be with His people

b) But Israel had not appreciated His presence much

c) His blessings were taken for granted

d) Worse, His blessings were attributed to idols!

e) The Lord then declared that He would return to His place

i)   He would withdraw His Presence

ii)  He would withdraw His blessings

iii) He would withdraw His protection!

f) That seemed the only way for ancient Israel to learn how to appreciate the Lord

  1. Till they acknowledge their offense

a) The children of Israel had rejected the Lord

b) But they did not see that as a sin… and offense!

c) God would remain far away till they acknowledged their offense!

  1. Then they will seek My face

a) Israel would realise the danger they were in without the Lord’s protection

b) They would not be able to withstand their enemies’ powers

c) They would be in great peril!

  1. In their affliction, they will earnestly seek Me

a) How true these words proved to be

b) In the midst of affliction Israel would realise the following

i)   The idols they worshipped would be unable to offer help

ii)  They would have to return to the Lord earnestly to seek His forgiveness

OUR CHALLENGE TODAY       

We must learn from the mistakes ancient Israel made. Let us determine never to leave the side of the Lord! Let us seek the Lord’s face always!