Why People Desert the Lord

	There are many discussions in the church on why people turn their backs on the Lord. Among the items discussed should be this one. The Book of Hosea addresses the apostasy of Israel. In chapter four the prophet explains what Israel was doing instead of following the Lord. Then in verses 10 and 11, Hosea explains why Israel was not to prosper. 

10	They will eat but not have enough; 
		they will engage in prostitution but not increase, 
		because they have deserted the LORD to give themselves 
11	to prostitution, to old wine and new, 
		which take away the understanding� 
	(Hos. 4:10, 11, NIV).

	Most versions either give the sense of the NIV or state it the same way, that is, Israel was not to experience satisfaction from eating, and they were not to increase in children because they deserted the Lord. No one turns his back on the Lord without also turning to something else. In this case it was fornication and alcohol. 

	In one case someone turns from the Lord and finds something else to fill the void. In another case someone finds something else that they want to do and staying with the Lord makes them feel guilty so they turn from Him to enjoy their new sin. 

	Either way, it is never worth it. To give up the Lord for any sin, regardless of how it makes us feel at the moment will never satisfy. We will eat but not have enough; we will do things to increase ourselves but it will not happen.

Don Ruhl
Church of Christ
220 NE Savage Street
Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310
541-476-3100
http://www.plymouth-church.com/dons_corner2.html

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