Bible Question:
This book refers to ripping babies from the woumbs of women and dashing their heads against the rocks. How do I explain this to an unbeliever, who uses the verses to "prove" her point that God is cruel and vile. Of course I do not believe it but I cannot explain to her that God was "warning" His people about their sin, and disobedience. Help me with some scriptural back up to gai understanding. Thanks, slide_m46@yahoo.com |
Bible Answer: Hi slide_m46, I can see why an unbeliever or a seeker would be shocked at the book of Hosea. There is a lot to be shocked it during this time. The people of the Northern Kingdom had turned completely away from one true God, even to the point of sacrificing there own children to a false god called BAAL. The book of Hosea is God prophecy to the Northern Kingdom warning them to change their ways and to do it quickly, or face the consequences of their prideful actions. You can see God concern and hope for the Northern Kingdom although Hosea, but Chp 14 pretty more answers the question about, is God being cruel or not. God is willing to Help, Heal and forgive those who turn back to Him. As far as what we see in: Hos 13:16 “Sama'ria shall bear her guilt, because she has rebelled against her God; they shall fall by the sword, their little ones shall be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open. “ Again this is prophecy about what was about to happen, which was the invasion of Shalmaneser king of Assyria. (You read about this in 2 Kings 17:5) So prideful and sure of themselves the Northern Kingdom held out for three year against Shalmaneser, but after that Shalmaneser took his revenge on them by sacking and plundering the cities, take the population into slavery and trying to end any future claim or inheritances as a people by kill the young/unborn. Hope this helps |