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| Volume 25 Number 7 July 2023 |
Page 8 |
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| Volume 25 Number 7 July 2023 |
Page 8 |
Mark McWhorter
Hosea 14:1-2, “O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips” (KJV). The Israelites had become wicked. Hosea was attempting to call them back to God. Notice that a significant part of their turning to God was the use of their lips. They were to use the “calves” of their lips. The ASV translates it “as bullocks the offering of our lips.” The NKJV reads, “offer the sacrifices of our lips.” Bullocks were used as sacrifices under the Old Testament. So, Hosea pictured the use of the lips as a sacrifice to God.
The same thought occurs in the book of Hebrews. “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15). Our speech should always demonstrate that we are servants of God. We should sing in worship, not sit and listen to others. We should always remember to pray.
It sounds funny to refer to the calves of our lips, but it is a serious matter. Study your Bible. Learn how to offer sacrifice with your lips. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
