Chasing after the Wind

Hosea 12:1-8

Israel was chasing the wind, and so is the USA, and when a people or a nation chases after the wind, what can be learned from a wise King like Solomon?  In the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon has a lot to say about the pursuit of the wind, look with me at Chapter 1:14, “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.”  In chapter 2:11, “When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.”  And in Chapter 6:9, “Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.”  This very wise king who built amazing things came to this conclusion at the end of the book of Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”

Before leaving the subject of the wind, do you recall Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus in John’s gospel chapter 3, and verses 7-9,"Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can these things be?"  (John 3:7-9)  Israel was chasing and so is the USA after something that it is not based on truth, Israel was and we are chasing the wind.  Israel tried to buy peace and friendship with nations like Egypt and Assyria who had disdain for them and their God.  Is history once more being repeated?  Israel played with fire and it cost them, the Assyrians came and killed and destroyed nations, they had foolish leaders who lead them into disaster, for they refused to listen to the prophet Hosea.

This is what Hosea was telling the leaders and the people of Israel, their namesake Jacob, his name was changed by God to Israel and he was a very self-centered man, but he met with God, first at Bethel and was later changed after an encounter at the river Jabbok.  The people of Israel also had an encounter at Bethel, but not with God, no it was with Baal the god of storms, and this action of rebellion brought the wrath of God down on them.  The gods we chase after are just as repulsive to God as the image of Baal, and yet we keep heading for the Egypt’s and Assyria’s of our time, with no fear of the living God, little understanding that hell will not be a place you will hang out with your buddies, but a place of complete separation from God and people.  And it will be a place of torment, no relief an eternity of isolation, it is a real place, not designed for people but for the devil and his angels, mankind makes a choice to go to a place like that.  Now is that not chasing after the wind?

My prayer and hope are that some of you who are religious, but have no relationship with Jesus Christ will stop and listen to verse 6, “But you must return to your God.  Maintain love and justice, and always put your hope in God.”   Mankind left to its own moral compass goes the way of verse 7, “A merchant loves to extort with dishonest scales in his hands.”  But verse eight centers on the man who believes it was by his skills and brilliance that he obtained his wealth.   Do you recall the rich man who was going to build bigger barns and be set for life, and God called him a fool and required his life that very day?  Israel understood they had crossed the line God had set but they believed they covered all their sins; many of you also wrongly believe your sin will not find you out, listen to verse 8, “But Ephraim says: “How rich I have become; I made it all myself.  In all my earnings, no one can find any crime in me that I can be punished for!”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice