Bible Reading

Hosea Chapter 14 - Flora

The plants in Hosea 14 teach us a thing or two about faith.

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The book of Hosea began with God disowning His people because of their spiritual adultery (1:2, 9). Now, it concludes with God promising to re-own His people with healing and love if they repent (14:1-4).

The final chapter of Hosea strikingly mentions many plants while describing a repentant Israel – for example, the lily and the Lebanon tree.

The Lily

Verse 5 mentions that Israel will “grow like the lily”. Lilies are known for their beauty; even Jesus highlights this by saying that they’re far more beautiful than Solomon’s royal robes (Matthew 6:28-29)! The Bible also mentions of how lilies can grow in potentially harsh environments, such as valleys and thorns (Song of Solomon 2:1-2).

In a spiritual sense, to grow like a lily means to grow increasingly beautiful in our spiritual character, despite spiritually harsh environments; and Christ is our model for spiritual beauty, i.e. perfection (Ephesians 2:13).

Besides radiating the beautiful nature of Christ, may we, like lilies which are also fragrant, diffuse His fragrance to the people around us in all circumstances (2 Corinthians 2:14-16).

The Lebanon Tree

Verses 5 to 7 mention that Israel shall “lengthen his roots” and emit a “fragrance (or scent) like Lebanon”.

Lebanon trees are known for their height, which ranges between 30 to 50 metres tall. They can grow this tall because of their roots which are deep and extensive. Their roots can grow as deep as 3 metres into the soil, while spreading out as wide as 30 metres away from the tree’s trunk.

Lebanon trees are also known for their aroma, not only in the wine they produce (verse 7) but also in their wood. In ancient times, Lebanon wood was prized for its quality and often used in the construction of magnificent buildings, such as Solomon’s temple (2 Chronicles 2:8-9).

How can we be vessels of honour that are useful to our Master for every good work (2 Timothy 2:21)? By being deeply rooted in His words (Colossians 2:7): fully understanding, trusting, and obeying His words in every aspect of our lives.

May we, like Lebanon trees, take root downward, so that we can bear good spiritual fruits upward (Isaiah 37:31).

Finally: The Green Cypress Tree

The green cypress tree is mentioned in verse 8. However, this time, it refers to God, as He tells Israel: “I am like a green cypress tree; your fruit is found in Me.”

Here, God stresses His dependability. The idols and allies which Israel once relied on could not save them from trouble (Hosea 14:3a). God, on the other hand, is the source of Israel’s “fruit” – Israel’s successes and failures are all in His hand, and God dispenses these according to Israel’s obedience or rebellion (verse 9b).

Furthermore, the green cypress tree is known for its longevity, surviving up to several centuries. In ancient times, the tree was often perceived as a symbol of immortality, especially in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions where Israel, Egypt and Assyria were located.

Our immortal and self-existent God far outlives the green cypress tree, man-made idols, and human kingdoms. Therefore, He is the only One we should depend on when facing troubles.

May we learn to be loyal to our one true God, loving and leaning only on Him. Amen.

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See Also

Ezekiel Chapter 17

Ezekiel Chapter 17

Ezekiel 17 talks about how God will save Israel and raise Israel up, while God will bring Babylon down. The last verse: 24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the Lord, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the Lord, have spoken and have done it.” reminds me of another verse: James 4 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” which also relates to this verse: Proverbs 16 18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before [f]a fall. 19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the [g]spoil with the proud. These verses show us that God delights in humility and will exalt the lowly, but those who are proud will be humbled by their fall, or perhaps by God. We can see that being proud is not an admirable quality to have and God also resists the proud, hence there is no reason to be proud. However, as humans, it can happen that we become proud due to different reasons, and these reasons point to our bruised inner world and how we are comparing ourselves to others, or exalting our own selves. Comparison with others also means one is judging them, and when one thinks of oneself as better than others, it is like this verse says: Matthew 7 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Being blind to one's own weaknesses, one cannot even see others clearly. Matthew 7 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. When the plank is removed and one’s vision is restored, one can see the beauty in others and their strengths. Therefore, this chapter reminds us of lowliness and humility in our lives.

Ezekiel Chapter 45 - When God wants to dwell among His people…

Ezekiel Chapter 45 - When God wants to dwell among His people…

From chapter 40 until the end of Ezekiel, God foretells of a glorious future for His people: when, after thoroughly measuring the temple (chapters 40 to 42), God’s glory re-enters and re-fills the temple (43:4-5). Thereafter, God promises that He will dwell amid the children of Israel forever (43:7). However, there is one condition: there cannot be anymore defilement of God’s temple, including uncircumcised foreigners (44:9) and in terms of the priests’ lifestyles and conduct (44:17-27). Ezekiel 45 continues from chapter 44 with God’s requirements for His people, including the princes (i.e., leaders) and the whole nation, when He dwells among them. 1. God wants a bigger district The chapter starts with God’s instructions for dividing the land of Israel. He instructs a bigger area to be allocated for Himself compared to the area for the prince and people. The area for the prince and people is 25,000 cubits long and 5,000 cubits wide (45:6); whereas God’s area, albeit the same length, is double in width (45:1). Reflecting on this: today, how much ‘space’ does God occupy in our hearts? Does He have a bigger space than our personal wants, worries and aspirations? The amount of ‘heart space’ we give to God shows in how submissive we are towards God in our lives – the more God fills and controls our thoughts, the more we will align our speech, conduct, and decisions with His will in the Bible. Ultimately, with continual spiritual nurture, God should not just occupy ‘a big enough space’ in our hearts, but all of it, filling us all in all (Ephesians 1:23b) and having complete control over our hearts. There is no limit to the infilling of the Holy Spirit (John 3:34b). Meaning, as long as we live, the pursuit of being filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit is a never-ending one. So, let the ‘district’ of God in our hearts be an ever-growing one until He fills all in all. 2. God wants a righteous people Leaders who are just and righteous, instead of oppressive towards the people (Ezekiel 45:9); leaders who use honest measures (verse 10-12); and leaders who will help make atonement for the people’s sins by preparing the various offerings to God such as the burnt, grain, drink and sin offerings (verse 13-17, 22-25). In short, these leaders, together with the priests and Ezekiel (verse 18-20), were to actively bridge the people to God. Today, as long as we are in the True Jesus Church, we are also supposed to actively bridge people to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). How active and faithful have we been in our daily ministry of reconciliation? Reflecting on the three requirements of God for His leaders mentioned earlier: (Ezekiel 45:9) Have we done or said things that harm people and repel them from God? (verse 10-12) Are we honest – how aligned are we with God’s moral standards in the Bible? (verse 13-17, 22-25) Have we been interceding earnestly for the salvation of others – praying for their repentance and God’s forgiveness for their sins? By shunning sin, including sins against others; by carefully following all of God’s moral standards in the Bible; and by faithfully praying for the salvation of others, God will zealously work through us to reconcile the whole world to Himself. Then, we will be approved by Him as good and faithful servants worthy of entering His joyous kingdom (Matthew 25:23). Ultimately, God’s choice to dwell among His people is a choice of love Not because of their great numbers or any other physical merits, but simply because of His great love and because He is a God who keeps covenants (Deuteronomy 7:7-9). In return, as His people, God wants our complete love in the form of complete obedience to His commandments. This means letting His Spirit fill and control us ceaselessly and living a life of zealously bridging our world to God. Amen.

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