How prosperous Israel is— a luxuriant vine loaded with fruit. But the richer the people get, the more pagan altars they build. The more bountiful their harvests, the more beautiful their sacred pillars.
Hosea 10:1
The time of Israel’s punishment has come; the day of payment is here.
Hosea 9:7a
I still find it hard to believe that Jesus took on the punishment and penalty for my sin.
Bankrupt
- a person who is lacking in a particular thing or quality:
- at the end of one’s resources; lacking (usually followed by of or in):
Satan wants us to be spiritually bankrupt, so he offers worldly wealth. (And I don’t mean just money.) He can’t steal our salvation, but he can distract us with “this” over here, and “that” over there. He lures us with “They have this because they did that,” and “You can have it too, do it too, and be that too.” If we aren’t rooted and grounded in our faith, we will fall for everything He offers.
Israel:
- The more they had, the more they wanted.
- Discipline didn’t deter them from repeating the same sins.
- They made their own laws and their own gods.
Live spiritually wealthy, and in worldly bankruptcy. (And I’m not speaking of money.)
- Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
Psalm 62:10 (ESV) - Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
Proverbs 11:28 (ESV) - For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
Mark 8:36 (ESV) - It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:25 (ESV) - Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:7-9 (ESV)
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