Hosea 9:1-2 Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for you have gone a whoring from your God… All are not Israel who are of Israel. The merely nominal Christian is not to rejoice as the true Christian should. I. MERELY NOMINAL PROFESSORS HAVE GREAT CAUSE TO MOURN. These words suggest a vast number of Israelites preparing for the songs of those that triumph, the shout of those that feast. To them the prophet says, "Rejoice not." 1. The first reason why Israel should not rejoice is that they had turned aside from the Lord. In leaving the Lord we leave all true happiness behind. 2. Because they were at ease in Zion. 3. Because they were heaping up to themselves wrath against the day of wrath. 4. Because they were without hope in the world. 5. Because they were under sentence of condemnation. To every merely nominal Christian God sends this message, "Rejoice not for joy, as other people." II. GOD'S PEOPLE OUGHT TO BE A REJOICING PEOPLE. 1. Christ's atonement should make them happy. 2. The Triune God has made with them a covenant, ordered in all things and sure. 3. The joy of the Lord is their strength. 4. The rest of God shall be theirs. 5. The Lord God omnipotent reigneth. The Lord reigneth, then your lot in this world will be controlled by the King of kings. Then your sorrows, disappointments, crosses, losses, and all the events of your life are controlled by His sceptre. Then the affairs of the home, and the joys and friendships of life are in the bands of the infinitely wise and good, and you may well rejoice. (A. Clayton Thiselton.) Parallel Verses KJV: Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor. |
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