Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword, and cast off all pity; his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever.” Hosea 1:11
Children are often seen fighting with their brothers and sisters. This can occur out of jealousy or sibling rivalry, or just trying to be the boss of one another. Sometimes this fighting can last a lifetime and become a serious issue that can even effect other people around them.
Hosea records God saying that He will not stop the punishment against Edom because he had chased after his brother, Israel, with a sword with no pity or end of his wrath.
As people get older, they will often change in how they go after a sibling or some other close friend or person. Many will no longer physically hit or pull hair as they once did as a child. Instead of physically chasing a person, people will cut others down verbally. This comes in directly saying things and indirectly by talking behind their back about them.
This can be seen both outside and inside the church. Churches often have members who are constantly slamming each other and putting them down for various reasons. Instead of showing love, all that can be seen in hatred. Doing this is sin and God will strike and punish for all sin that is not repented of.
Every person is a brother or sister of the human race and inside the church as believers in the family of God. Believers are to build each other up rather than trying to strike each other down physically, emotionally or any other way. One needs to love as Christ loved.
You may or may not have any physical brothers or sisters, but the people around you are indirect family. How you treat them is a sign of your love for God. Be careful to not allow yourself to be guilty of pursuing someone with the sword to cut them down and make them look bad. Repent of any fighting you have done.
Show God’s true love to them in the same way Christ loved you. Build others up in Christ and in His love, and do not give God a reason to have to punish you for sinful anger or jealousy in action or word.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will love those around you with the love of God; that God will reveal ways you are pursuing others with a sword; and that the Holy Spirit will guide you in loving others correctly.
Photo by David Taffet on Unsplash
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