Study Desk

So I was left alone, watching this great vision. I lost my strength, my face turned white like a dead person, and I was helpless.

Then a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees. I was so afraid that I was shaking.

Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, so I opened my mouth and started to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, "Master, I am upset and afraid because of what I saw in the vision. I feel helpless.

So the king of the North will do whatever he wants; no one will be able to stand against him. He will gain power and control in the beautiful land of Israel and will have the power to destroy it.

The king of the North will decide to use all his power to fight against the king of the South, but he will make a peace agreement with the king of the South. The king of the North will give one of his daughters as a wife to the king of the South so that he can defeat him. But those plans will not succeed or help him.

"The next king of the North will send out a tax collector so he will have plenty of money. In a few years that ruler will be killed, although he will not die in anger or in a battle.

Ships from the west will come and fight against the king of the North, so he will be afraid. Then he will return and show his anger against the holy agreement. He will be good to those who have stopped obeying the holy agreement.

Some of the wise ones will be killed. But the hard times must come so they can be made stronger and purer and without faults until the time of the end comes. Then, at the right time, the end will come.

I heard the answer, but I did not really understand, so I asked, "Master, what will happen after all these things come true?"

So Hosea married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Hosea's son.

So I will block her road with thornbushes; I will build a wall around her so she cannot find her way.

"So I will come back and take away my grain at harvest time and my new wine when it is ready. I will take back my wool and linen that covered her nakedness.

So I will show her nakedness to her lovers, and no one will save her from me.

"So I am going to attract her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.

At that time I will make an agreement for them with the wild animals, the birds, and the crawling things. I will smash from the land the bow and the sword and the weapons of war, so my people will live in safety.

So I bought her for six ounces of silver and ten bushels of barley.

My people will be destroyed, because they have no knowledge. You have refused to learn, so I will refuse to let you be priests to me. You have forgotten the teachings of your God, so I will forget your children.

They make sacrifices on the tops of the mountains. They burn offerings on the hills, under oaks, poplars, and other trees, because their shade is nice. So your daughters become prostitutes, and your daughters-in-law are guilty of adultery.

The Israelites have chosen to worship idols, so leave them alone.

You have done many evil things, so I will punish you all.