SCRIPTURE: Hosea 9
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Because your sins are so many and your hostility so great, the prophet is considered a fool, the inspired person a maniac. [Hosea 9:7]
I once read about an air force pilot who was performing multiple tricks in their fighter jet and became confused while flying; at one point, not realizing they were flying upside down, they ‘pulled up’ and crashed into the ground.
When people become so confused that they no longer know up from down, right from wrong, good from bad, wise from foolish.
That’s what Hosea is describing in this passage.
That’s how messed up the nation of Israel had become.
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” [Matthew 11:18-19]
Jesus encounters the same thing; the leaders and people of Israel can’t even recognize the truth and wisdom in John and Jesus, and accuse them of being fools and maniacs.
Despite all that Jesus did that was good, kind, miraculous, amazing, all they could see was that He was ‘a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
They were upside down, but thought Jesus was.
But one day wisdom (or truth) will be proved right; one day those who are upside down will crash.
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. [Romans 1:22-23]
Paul speaks about people who claim to be wise but become fools.
Where am I in this?
Do I think that I know better than others, do I act as if I’ve got things figured out?
Where am I confused, where am I deceived?
The scary thing about being deceived is that you don’t know when you are.
You can think you know better, when in reality you are upside down.
When in doubt, look to Jesus – His life is right-side up.
How does my life compare to His?
Where there is a difference, where there is a discrepancy, the problem is mine and not His, I am upside down.
PRAYER:
Lord, wisdom is proved right by her deeds. Show me through my deeds where I am confused, deceived, mistaken, and help me to turn right-side up!