以色列國受刑罰的日子一再延期，算總帳的日子最後終於來了。貧瘠和奴役將取代國中原有的繁榮、平靖。由於以色列遍地蔓延的罪和無益的敬拜，她將在一場死亡、審判的悲劇風暴中，從原地被拔除。在那可怕的「降罰的日子」(9：7)，毀滅、饑荒、和苦役將臨到上帝百姓的身上。不過，雖然這個國家該被完全滅絕，但上帝仍將信守諾言。待上帝的審判完畢，祝福就將來到。

        你有過下列哪一種經驗？
        (1)在一條單行道上，你以為你走對了方向，結果卻發現走錯了。
        (2)你早被告知杯子裡有滾熱的開水，結果你還是燙破了嘴。
        (3)儀表板顯示車子有點問題，但你不予理會。
        在以上每一種情況裡，你都受到指責。單行道上正面而來的車輛、燙傷的舌頭、閃爍不定的燈光……在在向你顯示，你做錯事了，如果再不理會警告，你將面臨嚴重的後果。
        你對上帝在你生命中的責難有何反應？你知道如何責備別人，產生治療性的效果而不僅是受威脅而已嗎？請記住，作為一個基督徒，你部分的責任是要「用百般的忍耐、各樣的教訓，責備人、警戒人、勸勉人」(提後4:2)。今天，每當你看到單行道的標誌時，讓它提醒你，接受責備，以及按著上帝的方式責備他人的重要性。

        從先知書中學習
        何西阿書充滿了有關上帝的愛……上帝的公正……上帝的忍耐……上帝管教的真理。試用以上的每一句話完成下列句子：「過去一個禮拜，我學到上帝的 是……。」

習慣最容易使人重蹈覆轍。

English

        After repeated postponements of Israel's day of reckoning, the time to settle accounts has come at last. Barren¬ness and bondage will replace prosperity and peace in the nation. Because of unchecked sin and worthless worship, Israel will be removed from the land in a tragic blast of judgment and death. Destruction, famine, and forced labor will befall God's people in these terrible "days of recompense" (9:7). And yet, though the nation deserves to be utterly destroyed, God will keep His promises. Blessing will come when God's judgment is completed.

        Which of the following situations have you experienced?
        1. You thought you were going the right way on a one-way street, only to discover you were wrong.
        2. You were told a cup was full of hot liquid, but you burned your mouth on it anyway.
        3. The light on your dashboard told you something was wrong with your car and you ignored it.
        In each case you were experiencing a rebuke. The oncoming traffic on the one-way street, the burned tongue, the blinking light, each in its own way was telling you that you were doing something wrong, and would face serious consequences if you didn't heed the warning.
        How do you respond to God's rebukes in your life? Do you know how to rebuke another person so that the result is therapeutic, not simply threatening? Remember, part of your responsibility as a Christian is to ",,, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:2). Every time you see a one-way sign today, let it remind you of the importance of responding to—and issuing—a rebuke the way God desires.

        You Can Learn a Lot from a Prophet's Pen —
        Hosea's book is rich with truth about God's love ... God's jus¬tice ... God's impatience .., God's discipline. Use each of those words to complete this sentence-. "This past week I have learned that God's ____________ is . .." Try it!

Habit is the easiest way to be wrong again.