Hosea 5:11
“Ephraim is oppressed, broken by judgment, Because he was determined to follow man’s command.”
This is a recipe to be oppressed and broken. That is to forsake God and follow man’s ways. This is a warning all throughout scripture. 2 Chronicles 7:36 says, “When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to a land far or near”.
Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” When we fear Him, we listen to Him.
Today’s verse speaks to the fear of man. Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.” To fear man says that we care more about what they say. We follow his advise. God will thwart that. Partially, because God is smarter and right. And God wants us to follow Him, so He would frustrate the ways of man.
This is God’s mercy. We don’t like roadblocks, but they are for our best. He does this for His children and those whom He seeks to draw. The child of God goes with it. We seek Him and what He is trying to do. We ask for guidance, patience and His help in that situation. Sometimes He will fix it, other times we are to learn from it. The unbeliever should do the same. God help me. The hope is that it will lead him to God.
Many are invested in the ways of man. The universities are full of man’s wisdom, the world is full of it. The centers of entertainment are as well. Isaiah 5:21 says, “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Romans 1:21 tells us why, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened.” He frustrates our thinking.
What makes this worse is that we don’t know that we’ve become a fool. We have gone adrift with others. They are usually the majority who are wrong together. They are confident in their error. They make fun of believers. It’s a sad situation.
It reminds me of Pharaoh. They are the powerful majority, but wrong. They use their power to persecute, but in the end it doesn’t work for them.
Yesterday was Easter Sunday. A friend wished me a happy Easter and said, “Jesus wins”. Yes, I love it. He does win. We don’t always see the victory now, but we will. Those against God don’t see their demise now, but they will. A sad truth.
Lord, thank You for Your Word and Your ways. Help us to go to You for Your wisdom.