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E are all familiar with the phrase, "The apple doesn't fall far
from the tree." It is the same as, "Like father, like son." Among other things, these phrases remind us
that a man is affected by his parentage. It is obvious that God has designed
this world in such a way that who one's parents are greatly influences who he
or she will become. Adam chose to sin, and so all of his descendants have
therefore been born as condemned sinners.
So, children sometimes die. Is it God's fault? Didn't babies drown in
the deluge? Weren't there children in Sodom and Gomorrah? Didn't God know about
the babies who would be slaughtered in Egypt when He sent His people there?
Didn't God know about the babies who would be slain in Bethlehem after the
birth of the Messiah? Isn't God aware of the untold millions of babies who are
being murdered in our modern world by the means of abortion?
Hosea 9 is an exceedingly unpleasant prophecy, but it fits with the
reality that I have brought uncomfortably to our attention today. Israel
(Ephraim) was full of sin (Hosea 9:15 & 17). Hosea was sent to declare to them that their
sins were going to cost them their children. Hosea 9:1-10 emphasizes the
sinfulness of Israel. The rest of the chapter describes the consequences that
they brought upon themselves. Even the death of the smallest child is evidence
of God's justifiable hatred for sin. Not every death is the direct result of a
parent's specific sin, but ultimately, the universal curse of sin is always the
problem. It was in Hosea's day too.
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