Fire Line

Hosea 13.14

April 27, 2008

Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your destruction? Hosea 13. 14.

Israel went astray from God in pride and spiritual adultery for 250 years. Judgment or redemption was the conflict on God’s heart. God’s heart of love was churned within Him and cried, “Ephraim how can I give you up?” He did not give up! Jesus paid the ransom through His life on the Cross!

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15.55, “ Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” Jesus rose from the dead. Death has no more hold on Him. Death has no more power over us!

We hear about the fire that swept across the early American prairies. The fire moved faster than the horses causing severe damage. Expecting the fire’s arrival, the pioneers burnt a designated area and stayed within the area. They were safe because the fire had already passed over that area.

God made a pledge to ransom Israel and to redeem them. He fulfilled it through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ!

God’s pledge will also be fulfilled when we all will be resurrected at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ!

I believe that this pledge of God will also be fulfilled when Israel as a Nation receives Jesus Christ as their Messiah and Savior! Shall we look up to the coming of the Redeemer? He is coming quickly.