January 13, 2013 | John Bayles | The Only View That Matters (Hosea 1:1-11)

“If you don’t like the view, then look at something else.” Or better, “That’s your opinion.” Either one of these statements drives the car of objectivity over the cliff. The deceptive thing about deception is that the person deceived does not realize he/she is being deceived. As so artfully portrayed in C.S. Lewis’ "Skrewtape Letters", the first rule of deception is to convince the person firmly controlled by demons to firmly believe that demons don't exist.

Does it ever amaze you that in a country with such an immense historical connection to Christianity and the Bible, and to such amazing historic figures of faith, how evasive we are about things such as, “hearing God”, “believing in God”, or “knowing God”. Last night at the close of the Baltimore Ravens football victory Ray Lewis repeatedly gave glory to God for the victory. I was welded to the face of the reporter interviewing him. He not only had a look of disgust on his face, but a look which screamed, “What are you talking about?”

This is the state of things as the book of Hosea opens. It is a time of blessings and prosperity being lived by a people who don’t know, or don’t care, where these things came from. They have everything they want, but nothing that they need. But what they don't know and won't believe is that this is the end of the line. The Law has been set aside, the temple and it's practices have been set aside.

Now the last resort is here - the covenant enforcer, the prophet of God. The nation of Israel will soon be attacked, defeated and carried off to the far ends of the earth. They are blind to their danger, and unwilling to listen to any view but their own. And into this world comes a single man, a newlywed young man, a man who is himself integrated into the environment he comes to change. He comes with a message of warning and blessing. He comes to them with God's viewpoint - the only view that matters.

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January 13, 2013 | John Bayles | The Only View That Matters (Hosea 1:1-11)