March 2

Journey-through-the-Bible-with-us

READING FOR MARCH 2, 2026: HOSEA 11, MATTHEW 21, PSALM 16:1-6                             HOSEA 11 Remember that Hosea’s particular object lesson was that God’s relationship with Israel was like a loving husband to an unfaithful wife. Here God maintains the image of a loving relationship but expresses it as a nurturing parent to an ungrateful son. In verse one God reminds Israel that He brought them out of slavery and simultaneously points ahead to Jesus, who would be the redeemer for all people: “Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night and left for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod; this happened so that what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son’” (Matt.2:14-15).

In verse two, the one(s) who called Israel and the one(s) from whom Israel went away is in the third person plural form in Hebrew. The note from the NASB reasonably suggests that this means the prophets. The important point is despite all this guidance ultimately from God, Israel increasingly worshiped idols, forgetting everything that God did for them. Obviously as we live in our post-Christian country, it is just as possible for us to forget the God who created us, redeemed us, and sustains us. It should be hard to do that, though, while reading the Bible

Israel is told they won’t return to Egypt, either as a slave or as an ally. They will, however, be subject to Assyria, who will destroy both their cities and idolatrous priests. The reason for this complete subjugation is their refusal to return to God. Despite the repeated warnings from God’s prophets, no one exulted the Lord. Let’s not follow their negative example.

Given this seeming total devastation of the land and dispersion of its people, it is difficult to see how verses 8-11 about God’s promise to restore Israel has been fulfilled within the time of the Old and New Testaments. At the very least, these verses do seem consistent with end-time prophecies found in Romans: “Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of the sons of Israel may be like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved” (Rom. 9:27). And in Rom. 11:25-26 referring to the time after Gentiles are saved: “A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full- ness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved.”  Gentiles and Jews will be saved.

The statement in verse 10 about God as a roaring Lion yet still saving His sons in verse 11 also seems consistent with the reference in Revelation about the tribes of Israel who will be pro- tected during the tribulation (as distinct from believers from all nations Rev. 7:9): “Do not harm the earth, or the sea, or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads. And I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel” (Rev. 7:3-4). This writer, though, certainly doesn’t believe the Bible teaches all Jews throughout history will be saved. Also, remember there are Christians who don’t believe that after Jesus’ resurrec- tion there remains any distinct identity for Jews or Israel. They reference Rom. 2:29 and Gal. 3 :28. Certainly in a spiritual sense, we are all one in Christ despite demographic differences. 

READINGS FOR MARCH 2, 2026 CONTINUED: MATTHEW 21, PSALM 16:1-6  

MATTHEW 21 Roman ceremonial triumphs were described by William Ramsey as “a solemn procession in which a victorious general entered the city in a chariot drawn by four horses. He was preceded by the captives and spoils taken in war... followed by his troops.” This honor was given if “at least 5000 of the enemy [were] slain in a single battle.” Zechariah (c.500 BC) pre- dicted a different triumph: “Behold your King (who fed least 5,000) is coming to you, gentle and mounted on a donkey.” Nonetheless, this strange spectacle prompted all Jerusalem to ask the most im-

portant question in all of history: “Who is This?” The shouts of those participating in the procession offered some clues for those with ears to hear:

  •  “Son of David” (messianic prophecy from Sam. 7:12).
  • “Hosanna” meaning please save (Jesus’s prime mission was to save sinners; see 1 Tim. 1:15-17). 
  •  “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (messianic prophecy; see Psalm 118:22-29).    

Thoughts about Jesus’s Clearing of the Temple: 

  • In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus cleared the Temple at the end of his ministry. In John, at the beginning. Was there one clearing? Differences in language lend support for two separate clearings. 
  • While the church means people “called out by God,” not a building, church buildings as well as congregations still could be considered “houses of prayer” and not institutions of commerce.

Brief thoughts about children's praise, barren fig tree, authority for ministry, and 2 parables:

  • Jesus quoted Psalm 8 to suggest children can be more spiritually discerning than religious leaders.
  • Jesus’s cursing the fig tree dramatized that God’s so called “followers” (people, institutions, or countries) who don’t bear fruit will experience severe consequences (Luke13:6, John 15:6, Matt.3:10).
  • In response to religious leaders questioning the authority for Jesus’s ministry, Jesus asked them from where John the Baptist’s derived authority. The fact these leaders were afraid to answer directly revealed they did not care about truth, only staying in power. Jesus’s approach uncovers the heart.
  • Parable of Two Sons: Sinners confessing their sins are saved; Jewish leaders who don’t are lost.
  • Parable of the Landover:  God created a perfect world and delegated stewardship to mankind. Through the disobedience of the Fall, the rejection and killing of God’s prophets, and finally the rejection and killing of Jesus by the Jewish leadership, the Jews would be scattered (diaspora) and the Gospel would be received by the Gentiles. (Rom.11 suggests all Jews will come to Jesus at the end of the age.)

PSALM 16:1-6 How can we find refuge/protection in God? By making Him our Lord. This means obeying everything He commands in the Bible. Otherwise, we make ourselves Lord and are not seeking refuge/protection from God. David states the obvious; we can’t have it both ways. Again, he echoes St. Augustine’s rightly ordered loves, figuratively saying there is nothing good except God (meaning God is the highest value). He also values other believers (i.e., saints) who model faith for him. Let’s give thanks for godly parents, pastors, teachers, authors, even historical figures such as John Wesley.  Although it might not seem so, unbe- lievers have a tough life and no hope in death.  Don’t envy them but love them enough to share Jesus with them. Give thanks that we have had the blessing of walking with the Lord and the fellowship of serving with other believers in such purpose-filled lives. Those who have lived many years with the Lord have so very much to thank God about. We need to start now.