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"Like grapes in the wilderness"

Text: Hosea 9:10

REMEMBERING THE EARLIER DAYS

The LORD had happier memories of Israel in its earlier days! But the years had taken a heavy toll.

“I found Israel
Like grapes in the wilderness;
I saw your fathers
As the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season.
But they went to Baal Peor,
And separated themselves to that shame;
They became an abomination like the thing they loved.”
Hosea 9:10

1. “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness”

a) What chances to find grapes in the wilderness?

Hardly!

b) Israel was compared to unexpected grapes in the wilderness.

This caused great delight!

2. “I saw your fathers as the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season”

a) The fig tree is one of the national symbols of Israel.

b) Firstfruits in its first season always bring a special sense of delight.

c) Usually, the firstfruits portend a great harvest season.

d) But this did not happen!

3. “But they went to Baal Peor”

a) This was described in Numbers 25.

i) King Balak of Moab had asked Balaam the false prophet to curse Israel but the efforts of Balaam failed (Numbers 22-23).

ii) The Moabite women caused Israel to fall from grace.

b) Israel turned to the worship of Baal with its emphasis on fertility cult.

There was a strong emphasis on perverted sexual practices.

4. “And separated themselves to that shame”

a) The men of Israel fell badly.

b) Some were very brazen about their idolatrous relationship with the Moabite women.

c) This was to the great shame of Israel.

5. “They became an abomination like the thing they loved”

a) Israel actually loved Baal worship.

b) Though God called idolatry an abomination.

c) The nation became an abomination to the LORD because of its love for idolatry.

d) Despite this firm word from the Lord, Israel remained stubborn and unrepentant.