What are you chasing?
Hosea 12-14/Mark 4-6
How to get the most out of Hungry Bible
OT
12:1-8 The people of Israel feed on the wind; they chase after the east wind all day long. They multiply lies and violence; they make alliances with Assyria and cut deals with the Egyptians.
Now the LORD is bringing a lawsuit against Judah. He is about to punish Jacob for all his deceitful ways. Before Jacob was born, he struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God. Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. There at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him–“the LORD God Almighty, the LORD is his name! So now, come back to your God! Act on the principles of love and justice, and always live in confident dependence on your God.” But no, the people are like crafty merchants selling from dishonest scales–they love to cheat. Israel boasts, “I am rich, and I’ve gotten it all by myself! No one can say I got it by cheating! My record is spotless!”
NT
4:21-25 Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed to shut out the light? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.”
“Everything that is now hidden or secret will eventually be brought to light. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand! And be sure to pay attention to what you hear. The more you do this, the more you will understand–and even more, besides. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.”
OT Flash Points
The Northern Kingdom continues to chase the wind, the east wind
They won’t drop their craftiness and conceit
I will punish them now
But I am your only helper
When you repent, my love and blessing will know no bounds
My paths are true and right, the righteous live by walking in them
NT Flash Points
Good seed grows well only in good soil
Jesus has sent us out 2 by 2 to the people we are with every day to be His messengers
Perspective
Whose perspective do you trust?
Food – a primary concern to Jesus
Sustenance for life – “You feed them”
God’s Christ – unique life offered
Exclusively the prerogative of Himself
Rather than following principles
My willful death to myself and to all my perceived principles is required to be alive