51
A pathetic cry to arise from Israel. After snubbing and completely driving the Lord to exasperation, when faced with punishment, Israel cried out, we know you. Remember, we are Israel, your people. Hos. 8:2 This is a case of common human ignorance. The Lord is not a fire escape. Nor is He one who is duty bound to rescue those who all their lives ignore Him, even insult Him, then when faced with difficulties, pray as if though they were the best and closest of friends. Here is the response of the Lord. These have religion in their mouths. They do Me lip service, but their hearts are far from Me. They are taught with the ideas of men to be religious. Isa. 29:13 Jesus based entrance into heaven on doing the will of the Father not on one‚ ability to say beautiful prayers. Not even those who have been involved in ministry are able to use their exploits to gain heaven. Jesus made it very plain to some that He never knew them, therefore they remain on the outside. Mt. 7:21-23.
A pathetic act. Israel had cast off, rejected the good things, the good way of the Lord. They turned the goodness of the Lord aside as if though it was something that was obnoxious. Which is exactly what the ways of the Lord had become to them. Hos. 8:3 They had become totally apostate and had denied the Lord in word and deed. Now, the divine protection which had been theirs was to be removed and their enemies were to come against them without the opposition of the Lord. The Lord had warned them time and time again of the penalty which would come upon them if they deserted Him. Deut. 28:25 They were to learn that their enemies, their persecutors, came upon them more quickly than the eagles of heaven. At every turn of the road they would meet defeat. Lam. 4:19.
When we search the scriptures we note that the Lord, in creation, has endowed us with similar emotions as Himself. There is a difference, His emotions are holy, just and right. Ours are contaminated by sin and the corruption of the flesh. Nevertheless, He has the same feelings as we have. To be rejected is devastating to the human ego. From the time that the Lord called Abraham out of Ur, His intent was to be the leader, the king of the nation which would be the descendents of Abraham. Under the leadership of Samuel they began to revolt and demanded a king. Their intent was to be like the nations around them. 1 Sam. 8:5 The Lord at that time stated that in making such a choice they were rejecting Him as their king. 1 Sam. 6:7 He also advised Samuel of the price that a king would exact in taxes and services from the people. 1 Sam. 8:10-17 In addition, He warned them that there would come a day when they would cry out unto the Lord because of the oppression of their king, but at that time the Lord would not listen to their cry.1 Sam. 8:18.