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"Like chaff blown off"

Text: Hosea 13:3

A PROMISING START

Israel’s first king Jeroboam showed much promise. He showed admirable qualities.

1. He showed courage when he spoke up for the oppressed in the reign of Solomon.

2. He was willing to submit to King Rehoboam if he relaxed the taxation of the people.

3. He showed leadership when he rallied ten tribes to form the Northern Kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 11-12).

FOUR SAD DESCRIPTIONS

The moment Israel forsook God and turned to idolatry the nation began to perish. God gave many opportunities to repent and to return to Him. His prophets ministered faithfully demonstrating God’s power. But Israel remained stubborn and pursued idolatry.

“Therefore they shall be like the morning cloud
And like the early dew that passes away,
Like chaff blown off from a threshing floor
And like smoke from a chimney.”
Hosea 13:3

1. “Like the morning cloud”

a) Israel was compared to morning cloud.

b) It showed promise but it is soon blown away by the wind.

2. “Like the early dew that passes away”

a) Dew is always short-lived.

b) When the sun rises up the early dew evaporates.

3. “Like chaff blown off from a threshing floor”

a) Chaff is simply the husk.

b) It is inedible.

c) It is empty and it is so light a gentle breeze would blow it away.

4. “Like smoke from a chimney”

a) It is not fire.

b) Chimney smoke does nothing but pollutes the air.

c) It is easily blown away by the wind.

THE KINGS OF ISRAEL

There were nineteen kings who sat on Israel’s throne. The following were characteristic of them:

1. Greatly idolatrous

2. Wicked and corrupt

3. Disobedient and stiff-necked