Hosea 9:10 “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal-peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.”
Separation—we are familiar with this term, especially in fundamental circles. Many times, separation is a good thing. My dog and I are a good example of this fact. I love my dog, but I am very glad for a fence that separates us each morning. Especially when I am wearing light colored pants, my dog only has to rub against my leg and I am filthy! So this separation keeps me from wearing my dog’s dirt all day.
Other more important avenues of separation for the Christian are both good and vital to maintaining purity in our lives. But is separation itself always good? The question for each Christian should not be “Are you separated?” but “From whom are you separated?” Everyone, whether believer or unbeliever, is separated from someone or something. So being separated is not a virtue in itself-what makes the difference is from whom we are separated. We should be separated from the world unto God!
Here in Hosea, the Lord speaks of a different separation. The children of Israel had actually separated from God unto the world. At one time, God’s relationship with them had been a refreshing fellowship. God says of this time, “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time. . . .” What descriptive words of people who are in fellowship with God!
There came a time when they stopped finding their sufficiency in God and turned to a false god (Baal-peor). In seeking satisfaction in something besides the Lord, they separated themselves from God. It was not as if one day they decided to be separated from God-they made choices that resulted in separation from God. Verse 10 says, “They went to Baal-peor. . . .” When you choose to join up with certain people or practices, you automatically exclude yourself from someone else. Israel had made their choice and had separated themselves from the wonderful fellowship with God that had been so refreshing!
God said in verse 3, “They shall not dwell in the LORD’s land. . . .” In separating themselves from God, they separated themselves from the strength and peace that only He could give. In addition, verse 9 warns that God “will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.” What a shame that they had traded refreshing fellowship for coming judgment!
What about you? From whom are you separated? In your choices, are you separating yourself unto God or from God? If we are not careful, we can separate based on personality or preferences, rather than separating from anything that hinders our relationship with God. It is God’s opinion that ultimately matters. Are your choices separating you from the world, or are they separating you from God? Not all separation is good-is yours?
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Prayer Requests:
1. Revival services tonight in Beecher City, IL; and Merced, CA
2. Recruiting of college summer staff today and tomorrow
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