CHAPLAIN’S PAGE: “ISRAEL THE STUBBORN SERVANT”
Many ask ‘what’s gone wrong with our nation? It is always the older folk who ask for we can remember better times. Many of the present generation are unaware of world events. The current Middle East situation is of no concern to them, unless one of their relatives or friends is killed or wounded. So what has gone wrong with Israel Britain? It is the purpose of this short article to look at the question from a spiritual viewpoint. It is an undeniable fact that when we nationally acknowledge Almighty God, He always blesses us. In times of war, victory is always assured. The last war being an excellent example where we were not ashamed to ask for Divine help. Subsequently, that flame has become almost extinct. However, deep down there still remains a race memory which longs for something outside of ourselves. This was manifested at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
The roots of our problems are clearly set forth in the sixth verse of Hosea 4,
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge. I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”
‘Destroyed’ can also be rendered ‘cut off ‘ that is, cut off from God. This verse, and the remainder of the chapter is a cameo of modern Israel Britain with no holds barred. It would be helpful if you would read the whole chapter before proceeding further.
Assuming that you have done so, there are a number of key points which help to answer our question. Firstly, does the chapter have any relevance to the Northern Kingdom in the Isles? Verse six simply says ‘my people.’ However, verse fifteen clearly indicates that the chapter is addressed to Israel, that is the Northern Kingdom. The Lord is also issuing a warning to Judah. What kind of knowledge is being referred to? It cannot be secular, for Israel at the time of Hosea’s ministry in about 788BC, was steeped in idolatry and prostitution. (What’s new?) The nation was street wise but not God wise! They had cut themselves off from Him by rejection of the Law. The consequence of that rejection, amongst others, was that the Lord would not recognise the priesthood, for they were as guilty as the people. Their guilt was magnified in His sight inasmuch as they failed to warn the nation of the dangers of spiritual neglect. Thus the priesthood condemned itself, and also future generations of the priesthood. It should be noted that ‘children’ i n verse six, in referring to future generations of Israelites, including the priesthood. It is God’s ultimate intention that every Israelite shall be a priest unto Him.
“And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” (Exodus 19:6)
This wonderful prophecy cannot be fulfilled until the return of Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords at His Second Advent. Until that day, the Nation and the priesthood (archbishops, bishops, priests, clergy and pastors) remain under Hosea’s condemnation . Obviously, this does not include those faithful ones who faithfully preach God’s word. Mainly, the church has let the ends go, and wishes to be seen as politically correct and ‘with it.’ Its acceptance of those things which are cursed by God is appalling. It is worthy of note that in verse six of Hosea chapter four, spiritual knowledge is equated with God’s Law. The church teaches that this was done away with in Christ. This is not what the scriptures say. It is only the ordinances that have been abolished (Ephesians 2:15, Romans 3:31.)
Nationally we have forgotten our identity and who is our owner. Isaiah wrote,
“The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people they do not consider”. (Isaiah 1:3)
This blindness has two major consequences both of which affect the nation, that there will be no peace during this time of Jacob’s trouble .
“The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace”. (Isaiah 59:8)
Not only a time without peace, but also no justice. The instructions to the rulers is specific. Be it noted that they should be chosen by God, and not by the people as we do today. (Deuteronomy 17:14-15, II Samuel 23:3 and II Chronicles 19:6 etc.) This would ensure that everything is above-board or ‘squeaky clean’ as we say today.
Today, God is left out in the cold in every area of corporate life, and as a result we stand at the brink. It must be obvious to any thinking person that we cannot go it alone indefinitely. The blinded politicians look to Europe for salvation. Europe only wants us all the while we can be milked of our assets, both material and spiritual. When the cupboard is bare, then will come to pass Jeremiah’s warning for these last days,
“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob ‘s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” (Jeremiah 30:7)
and also v14,
“All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of their iniquity; because thy sins were increased.”
Although this was initially written as a warning to Judah, there can be no doubt that its secondary fulfilment is for Israel in the last days.
Today, we have nationally rejected the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Rejection is rebellion, and the fruits of rebellion are witchcraft, stubbornness (or arrogance) and idolatry. (I Samuel 15:23) This is a picture of our land today, for stubbornness has been Israel’s trait from inception.
“Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding; whose mouth must be held with bit and bridle.”
But fear not, for our wonderful Lord and Saviour will honour all His promises for a future restoration.
