Smote and Slew Is Up To You

From today’s reading…

For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice,

and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

Today’s reading ends with some encouraging words but just before this sentence Ephraim and Judah were “smote” and Hosea “slew them by the words of my mouth….”

Why?

Because they were vain and insincere in their piety, which was as firm and lasting as the morning dew under the rising sun.

God does not to strike us. He wants to revive us.

He does not want us to hurt. He wants to heal our wounds.

But we must love in order to be found worthy when we are judged, which will happen as sure as the morning dawn.

So set aside your sacrifice until you are full of love, because that’s the only way to…

Stay the course. Keep the faith. Endure.