Hosea, 13
7. So I will be to them like a lion, like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.
7. So I will be to them like a lion, like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.
Chapter 13 of Hosea begins with a warning of God to the people of Israel about his idolatry and infidelity, reminding them of the punishment that is to come. Then the judgment God will make upon them is described because of His rebellion. Hosea compares Israel to a useless vine that does not produce fruits, and laments its imminent destruction. Below are five Bible verses that relate to the topics addressed in Hosea 13.
Jeremiah 2:13: "For my people have committed two evils: They abandoned me the source of living water, and dug their own cisterns, cracked cisterns that do not retain water." This verse talks about the choice of the people of Israel to abandon God and seek other sources of satisfaction, which will lead to their own destruction.
Joel 1:7: "He rocked my vineyard and stripped my fig tree, peeling it completely and throwing it apart; This verse describes the destruction of God's vineyard, an image similar to those used by Hosea to describe Israel's situation.
Isaiah 5:4: "What else could you do to my vineyard, that I didn't do it? Why, when I expected you to give sweet grapes, gave angry grapes?" This verse talks about God's frustration with the lack of fruits produced by the people of Israel, an image also used by Hosea.
Ezekiel 15:2-3: "Son of man, what is the vine among the forest trees that compares to it? Will it take it wood to do some work? ? " This verse describes Israel as a useless vine, worthless for nothing but being consumed by fire, an image similar to those used by Hosea.
Psalm 80:8-9: "You had a vineyard from Egypt, you expelled nations and the plant. You prepared her place, and she fell and extended the branches all over the earth." This verse describes the plantation of the vineyard of God (Israel) and its initial prosperity, contrasting with the situation described by Hosea in which the vine became useless and about to be destroyed.
“É sempre necessário ir para a frente, nunca para trás, na vida espiritual. O barco que pára em vez de ir adiante é empurrado para trás pelo vento.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
